It's always good to start the New Year in happiness. The first pieces of the year are from my Happiness Is Custom Pet Portraits series. I've painted a few gifts for people I admire as a token of gratitude for what they have contributed to my life.

Since the start, I've donated a portion of every Happiness Is purchase to animal welfare non-profits and annually give at least one portrait to fundraising auctions. My best way to contribute to the greater good is through my art.

​I am releasing prints of these happy pups with proceeds going to the non-profits of their owners. (I'm awaiting written permission before publishing any names.) Just know you're helping the world be a better place when you live with my artwork.

This year, my goal is to double what I gave last year. Thank you for your continued support of my art and my efforts to help others.

Enter code: SpreadHappiness for a special incentive at checkout.

​

Thank you for an incredible year, I placed more paintings than I ever have in a single year before. Over 40 paintings! and many were large-scale! Your support is overwhelming and allows me to do what I love.

This composite shows all the artwork that found a home this year, NOT including the Pride Plains series. Thank you!!! And thank you Columbine Gallery and Colorado Governor's Art Show!

Very proud to be juried into the Colorado Governor's Art Show once again. I’m most proud to be part of a show that gives back so much to the community through its sales, like the homeless assistance fund for students.

Check out the events below, you will be able to shop in person or online this year. Learn more here: https://governorsartshow.org/
​
Celebrating 31 years of excellence. The Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale, one of the largest fine art shows to exclusively feature Colorado artists, introduces the public to 60 of Colorado’s top fine artists.

The 31st Governor’s Art Show is Saturday, April 23 through May 22, 2022 at the Loveland Museum. The show will host its annual Opening Night Gala on Friday April 22nd, exclusively for sponsors and patrons.

The annual Plein Air Event is Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 40 Colorado artists will be painting en Plein Air at two locations; River’s Edge Natural Area and downtown Loveland. The artists paint 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. There will be live entertainment from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Loveland’s downtown Foundry Plaza where the art auction will be held from 4:00 – 5:00.

Purchase Art with Heart – the show benefits Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs charitable projects and causes. One-third of net proceeds will go to the Thompson Education Foundation’s Homeless Assistance Fund and additional funds will go toward scholarships for local art students.

#CelebrateColoradoArtists #CoGovArtShow #AlysonKinkade #FineArt #ArtWithHeart #LovelandMuseum #DowntownLoveland #MarkYourCalendar

It's always nice to be commissioned for a custom painting, because it means people want to live with your art, which is always an honor.

Below is the full commissioning process of "Sky's the Limit".

​Feel free to contact me to commission something specific for your space.

The client shared an image of the space to fill. To determine the right scale of canvas - I superimposed some options. 72" wide by 50" or 40" high. We went with the narrower choice. 

After talking more with the client I learned more about what past work of mine they were drawn to, then compiled some digital sketches and sent these to get a feel for what composition best fits ​with their wants.

​The sketch that appealed best - with a request for more emphasis on fluffy, bright clouds inspired by Colorado skies.

Once we figured the scale and composition they provided a deposit and I ordered the stretcher bars and linen, then began the painting process, first by stretching the linen, the priming with a series of coats of gesso that protect the fabric and begins to build the surface. I often work on multiple canvas' at once.

After Gesso, I switch to some colorful coats in Acrylic, continuing to build the surface and starting to introduce colors that will impact the final layers of paint.

The composition starts to develop at this stage in acrylic. Then I switch to oil for the remaining layers. 

The client opted to have the piece framed so I provided more options in place, a floater frame, silver, or what they chose - a simple deep black.

The painting process continued until I was ready to send an image for final approval and set a time for delivery after some drying time and once the frame arrived.

The frame arrived, in a very large box. I framed, wired, then packed the painting for transport. *since I was driving it, I only protected the frame edges with bubble wrap.

It just fit in the gallery's vehicle. We learned 72" long is about the max for an Escalade. Then we were off to the client's home.​

If you'd like to commission a painting for your home or office - just reach out to me here.