Summer Self Portraits Series: Rare Early Works by Thomas Kinkade

This summer, the Kinkade Family Foundation was proud to present the Summer Self Portraits Series — a special series on our KFF social media showcasing a rare selection of early self-portraits by Thomas Kinkade, most of which have never been publicly shown before.

Drawn from sketchbooks, studies, and early paintings, these works offer a unique glimpse into Kinkade’s formative years as an artist. Unlike the iconic luminous landscapes he would become known for, these self-portraits reveal an experimental, introspective side of Kinkade — curious, searching, and engaged with the question of how to represent the self.

By sharing these rarely seen works, the Kinkade Family Foundation aims to deepen public appreciation for the breadth and depth of Thomas Kinkade’s practice — and to highlight the role of self-portraiture in his development as both an artist and a storyteller.

Thank you to everyone who followed the series. We look forward to continuing to share more from the archives in the months ahead. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @kinkadefamilyfoundation or on Facebook!