{"id":253991,"date":"2026-06-03T17:40:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/253991\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T17:40:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:40:44","slug":"local-artist-supports-lgbtq-community-through-viral-drag-queen-portraits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/253991\/","title":{"rendered":"Local artist supports LGBTQ+ community through viral drag queen portraits"},"content":{"rendered":"

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) \u2014 It has become easy to recognize Ren\u00e9e Vinson’s work. Since 2025, the Colorado Springs artist has created between 30 and 40 vibrant portraits of well-known and Colorado-based drag queens.<\/p>\n

“My kids had encouraged me to get out of my studio and get back into the gallery scene,” Vinson explained. “Pride Month came up and they approached me and said ‘Mom, what would you think about painting a drag queen?’ And I said I think that’s a great idea because we’d been watching RuPaul’s Drag Race forever.”<\/p>\n

Vinson says after decades of painting “safer” subjects like landscapes and human figures, she did not know what to expect. However, her work quickly garnered positive attention \u2014 especially on social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is kind of cool,” Vinson said. “It\u2019s a tight community and they\u2019ve accepted me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinson is no stranger to her work going viral on social media<\/a>. One of her most popular videos on TikTok caught the attention of more than two million people. It showcased a portrait of Trixie Mattel, a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they\u2019re particularly clever with their outfits, then I\u2019m more drawn to them,” Vinson said. “I have to formulate it in my mind and I have to look at who they are as a person, otherwise, it’s just empty. I want to show some spirit.”<\/p>\n

Over the last year, painting drag queens has kept Vinson creative, but her purpose is bigger than the art itself.<\/p>\n

“This is a community that really needs our support,” Vinson said. “I want to support them because I can and I feel, as a mom, I understand what it’s like to be a kid and go through what they’ve gone through. Plus, they deserve it. They’re some of the coolest people I’ve ever met in my entire life.”<\/p>\n

Vinson says a percentage of earnings from her portraits benefit The Trevor Project<\/a>, a non-profit suicide prevention and advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ youth.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s something you and I can do easily, certain people can do easily, and we should,” Vinson said. “We all deserve to be exactly who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinson’s work is consistently shown at True North Art Gallery and The Look Up Gallery in Colorado Springs. Ahead of Pikes Peak Pride weekend, she will also host a free art show:<\/p>\n

Ren\u00e9e Vinson Fine Art Show
Kindle Event Space, 511 N Tejon Street
June 12th from 5 to 9 p.m.
One night only, free admission<\/p>\n

You cand find more details on Vinson’s work at reneevinson.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Email Senior Reporter Meghan Glova at meghan.glova@koaa.com<\/a>.
Follow Meghan Glova KOAA<\/a> on Facebook.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

School’s Out. Here’s Where Those Mobile Speed Cameras Are Going Now<\/p>\n

Colorado Springs’ new mobile speed cameras have been busy, issuing over 10,000 tickets since January, with more than half of those in school zones. Now that school is out, police say you can expect to see the cameras near city parks and in neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

School’s Out. Here’s Where Those Mobile Speed Cameras Are Going Now<\/p>\n

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