SPIRIT OF DENALI
MEET THE ARTIST
Zac Kinkade
Zachary Thomas Kinkade, Thomas Kinkade’s nephew, was born in 1992 and has been passionate about art his entire life. Beginning when he was 11, Zachary began entering and winning national and regional art competitions and shows. Deciding that art was his calling, Zac submitted a portfolio to the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Art and was accepted to the school in preparation of formal university training the arts. During this time, Zac also attended Tarrant County College to study art and most significantly began apprenticing at the Thomas Kinkade Company to explore his own aesthetic vision. Zac continued these relationships while attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he eventually graduated with honors from that academy’s prestigious school of art and architecture.
Learn More About Zac KinkadeCHOOSE YOUR FINE ART FORMAT
THE PREMIER COLLECTION - LIMITED EDITION ART
TIMELESS HOME DECOR
Throughout my childhood and into my late teens my father would take my brothers and me on "road trips" every year. We would meandor around the country and eventually visited all of the great cities and natural places the contiguous 48 states had to offer. These trips were fun, reasonable in scope and safety contained.
But then it hit my father's fancy to truly do something "epic" as he explained, "We are driving to Alaska to see Denali National Park." When he first stated the idea, it seemed like a natural next step in our travels and so, without question, we set out. The whole of Alaska called and filled our imaginations. It took weeks of travel but, as it turned out my dad was right. Denali is indeed epic.
The trip itself ranged up past the arctic circle but of thousands of miles logged it was the sight of that mountain I will never forget. It is said only a third of the visitors to Denali ever get to see its peak. So high is the summit, the pinnacle is almost perpetually obscured in cloud. But on our visit the veil lifted and the sight was sublime.
Even more with that break in weather, the park came to life. Grizzly bear fished in the salmon filled rivers. Moose wandered the lush meadows and wolves ran in packs to howl their hungry intent. In my memory, it is like no place else on earth in terms of its scope and grandeur.
Many years have passed since that visit and I find joy in painting this scene from my boyhood recollection. It takes me back to the mountain my father called "epic" and a trip taken with my family to see firsthand its majesty. I hope you enjoy Spirit of Denali, and as always thank you for sharing my adventures in art.