Painting under a brush name: the Robert Girrard paintings

Thomas Kinkade, Seaside Resort, 1988. Oil on board, 24 x 36 inches. ©️Nanette Kinkade Family Trust.

As we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first exhibition of Impressionism, let's delve into Thomas Kinkade's deep admiration for the French Impressionists — Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Seurat. The Impressionist style was a profound inspiration for Kinkade, leading to the creation of 71 paintings in that style from 1984 to 1990, all under the brush name Robert Girrard. This anonymity allowed him to push the boundaries of style and subject matter, to experiment with palette, brush strokes, and broken color, all of which have left an indelible mark on his world-renowned style.

Of that period, Kinkade said,"...a painting from my Robert Girrard years... when I worked in this style, I was keenly aware of the light and color of the Impressionist style. It was an enjoyable period in my artistic development and a time I still covet. I have turned back the clock to an era when the Impressionists were in full glory. The French Impressionists captured not just light but a moment frozen in time as well. I hope that (this painting) captures those timeless moments for all to savor."

Thomas Kinkade, Sunday Afternoon, 1988. Nanette Kinkade Trust.