On being given proof that it was indeed the actual Vogue magazine, she felt overwhelmed. Kovtun's painting was one of two personally chosen by the singer with the other one being Kylie Young from Michigan, USA. Coincidentally, Young also thought the call from Vogue was a practical joke.
Hailing from a small town 900 miles away from Moscow and in the midst of the Urals, Kovtun had attended an art school for three years but dropped out because she didn't want to feel pressured to draw a certain way and wanted to keep her own style.
Kovtun was aware that the singer had taken notice of her (liking two of her previous drawings)
In yet another testament to the growing reach of social media, she said that even though she hadn't been on Instagram - where she showcases her work - for too long, Kovtun was aware that the singer had taken notice of her (liking two of her previous drawings).
However, even that did not prepare her for what followed the reveal from Vogue that her drawings had been chosen.
"Over the past few days my life has changed a lot. I have had some very interesting and tempting offers and I know it is an opportunity for me to realise myself as an artist. Still, I have to consider everything carefully. I don't want to abandon school, for instance. I was given an extraordinary opportunity to share my art and I will use it. It won't be easy but it will be worth it." she told the BBC.
When asked what drew her to the Grammy-winning Eilish, she said that she takes to musicians who have a strong sense of style but also have the desire to change. Aside from Eilish - who has sung the new theme for the upcoming James Bond movie No Time To Die - she is also a fan of Lana Del Rey and Miley Cyrus. She also admires Russian artists who do it for the love of music and not for the fame or the money.
Art is not about catching the hype or getting rich. It is not about popularity or reward
"Art is not about catching the hype or getting rich. It is not about popularity or reward. You have to do what you love and always have to speak from the heart." she says.
