Landscape Artist Thomas Kinkade
Thomas Kindade’s paintings have become some of the most desirable pieces of art in the 21st century. His works are the Rolex among watches, the Judith Lieber bag among purses, and the Jacque Torres chocolate creation among chocolatiers. His paintings are known for having the “Kinkade Glow” and the fairytale décor of stories depicted in books written by the Brothers Grimm. The commercial appeal of his works has inspired critics to dub his collection “Chocolate Box Art.” On that note, for Christmas 2005, Glade Air Fresheners licensed a few of Kinkade’s paintings to be embossed on the glass casings of the company’s scented candles line. Many other vendors and organizations have licensed Kinkade’s artwork for their campaigns as well. His painting “Graceland” was used to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Elvis Presley’s estate being open to the public, and his painting “Fenway Park” was made for a tribute ceremony to “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.”Ô Kinkade was also the artist chosen to capture the historic Asheville, North Carolina mansion, Biltmore House, Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary and Walt Disney World Resort’s 35th Anniversary.
Known for his breathtakingly beautiful scenes of nature, Kinkade’s works display detailed inlays and frilly patterns which have been synonymous with 17th century Baroque painter, Peter Paul Rubens, the Zen-like landscapes of 19th century Romantic painter, Joseph Mallord William Turner, and possessing the serene esthetics of Impressionist designer, Monet. Thomas Kinkade’s collection embodies a range of subjects that all revolve around the environment and people living in harmony with nature. His collection includes Cottages, Gardens, Churches, Bridges, Manors, Lighthouses, Cityscapes, and the Great Outdoors. Kinkade designs his paintings to show the simple pleasures that exist throughout life, such as a rose bush in full bloom, a patch of bluebonnets growing around the door steps of a cottage, a gazebo in the middle of a grassy field, footprints dotted in the sand along a tranquil beach, the reflection of the Sun on the ocean waters as it is setting, a church’s spire towering above a town’s street for all eyes to see, or sail boats moving to and fro along the lanes of a cove. These are just some of the simple images that Kinkade paints and makes look entirely majestic on a one dimensional sheet of canvass.
Many of Kinkade’s paintings have a personal meaning for him, such as his portrait of California’s “La Jolla Cove,” which he describes on his website as, “Radiant light bathes the clouds and paints the sea in a luminous turquoise. The graceful palms are the same ones that saluted Nanette and I twenty-five years ago.” Nanette was Thomas Kinkade’s high school sweetheart and she became his wife in 1982. They have four daughters who are also a source of inspiration for Kinkade’s images, like in his painting, “Serenity Cove.” He explains that the painting, “featuring a lighthouse inspired by Marblehead Light on Lake Erie, celebrates the guidance my faith offers as I face life’s transitions. For me, the four boats sailing towards the horizon symbolize the life journey of my four daughters as they grow into adulthood.”
He and Nanette had their daughters in the 1980’s after Kinkade was able to support his family as a painter, selling his artwork in galleries throughout California where it all started for him. Born in 1958, Kinkade grew up in California’s Sierra Hills in a small town called Placerville. The images from his childhood of a rustic lifestyle and a community that turned to their faith for guidance and inspiration worked its way into the scenes which he paints today. His strong Christian faith inspired him to see the beauty of nature, but it was he training at the University of California at Berkeley and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena that gave him the tools to paint such romantic scenes.
Kinkade also has a penchant for painting the seasons. His scenes always let the viewer know if it is Winter by blanketing nature in ice and snow, Spring with the use of vibrant colors in pastel shades, Summer bathing the images in hues of tans and yellows to show the effects of the Sun, and Autumn with earthy tones dominating the palette. Kinkade’s paintings also show holiday themes, particularly for Christmas. His portraits of “Christmas Moonlight,” “Christmas Evening,“ and “Silent Night” ring elegantly with symbols of the Yuletide.
And then there are some paintings which are purely inspirational like “The Good Shepherd’s Cottage.” Kinkade expresses about this piece that “’The Good Shepherd Cottage’ is an allegory in paint, an image of the Lord returning to call His faithful. His house is an utterly comfortable and secure cottage, radiant with light. The air is luminous with sunset; the sound of His voice thrilling as He calls His sheep into a verdant meadow.”
One of Kinkade’s latest paintings, “Footprints In The Sand” also has Christian motifs as he revels in its meaning, “The parable about footprints in the sand, which reminds us that God carries us through our times of trouble, resonates with profound truth. My ‘Footprints In The Sand’ bustles with human activity - families strolling the pier, fishermen, even my first-ever portrayal of a surfer. Two pairs of footprints in the sand narrow to one, reminding us that when our lives are troubled, God will carry us through to joyous spiritual victory.”
Of course, this only skims the surface of Thomas Kinkade’s collection, but it is enough to show that all of his paintings lead to one place, and that is enjoying the simple pleasures of life. And whether that is the sight of The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California or the snow capped peaks of the Smoky Mountain range in Tennessee, beauty is in the environment everywhere. It is in the simple ways of country living, and in the way that the earth, water, the Sun, and the seasons bring joy to communities.
For more information on Thomas Kinkade, please visit his website at: www.thomaskinkade.com
For books by Thomas Kinkade, there are:
Thomas Kinkade: Paintings In Radiant Light
A Book Of Joy
The Thomas Kinkade Story: A 20-Year Chronology Of The Artist
Known for his breathtakingly beautiful scenes of nature, Kinkade’s works display detailed inlays and frilly patterns which have been synonymous with 17th century Baroque painter, Peter Paul Rubens, the Zen-like landscapes of 19th century Romantic painter, Joseph Mallord William Turner, and possessing the serene esthetics of Impressionist designer, Monet. Thomas Kinkade’s collection embodies a range of subjects that all revolve around the environment and people living in harmony with nature. His collection includes Cottages, Gardens, Churches, Bridges, Manors, Lighthouses, Cityscapes, and the Great Outdoors. Kinkade designs his paintings to show the simple pleasures that exist throughout life, such as a rose bush in full bloom, a patch of bluebonnets growing around the door steps of a cottage, a gazebo in the middle of a grassy field, footprints dotted in the sand along a tranquil beach, the reflection of the Sun on the ocean waters as it is setting, a church’s spire towering above a town’s street for all eyes to see, or sail boats moving to and fro along the lanes of a cove. These are just some of the simple images that Kinkade paints and makes look entirely majestic on a one dimensional sheet of canvass.
Many of Kinkade’s paintings have a personal meaning for him, such as his portrait of California’s “La Jolla Cove,” which he describes on his website as, “Radiant light bathes the clouds and paints the sea in a luminous turquoise. The graceful palms are the same ones that saluted Nanette and I twenty-five years ago.” Nanette was Thomas Kinkade’s high school sweetheart and she became his wife in 1982. They have four daughters who are also a source of inspiration for Kinkade’s images, like in his painting, “Serenity Cove.” He explains that the painting, “featuring a lighthouse inspired by Marblehead Light on Lake Erie, celebrates the guidance my faith offers as I face life’s transitions. For me, the four boats sailing towards the horizon symbolize the life journey of my four daughters as they grow into adulthood.”
He and Nanette had their daughters in the 1980’s after Kinkade was able to support his family as a painter, selling his artwork in galleries throughout California where it all started for him. Born in 1958, Kinkade grew up in California’s Sierra Hills in a small town called Placerville. The images from his childhood of a rustic lifestyle and a community that turned to their faith for guidance and inspiration worked its way into the scenes which he paints today. His strong Christian faith inspired him to see the beauty of nature, but it was he training at the University of California at Berkeley and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena that gave him the tools to paint such romantic scenes.
Kinkade also has a penchant for painting the seasons. His scenes always let the viewer know if it is Winter by blanketing nature in ice and snow, Spring with the use of vibrant colors in pastel shades, Summer bathing the images in hues of tans and yellows to show the effects of the Sun, and Autumn with earthy tones dominating the palette. Kinkade’s paintings also show holiday themes, particularly for Christmas. His portraits of “Christmas Moonlight,” “Christmas Evening,“ and “Silent Night” ring elegantly with symbols of the Yuletide.
And then there are some paintings which are purely inspirational like “The Good Shepherd’s Cottage.” Kinkade expresses about this piece that “’The Good Shepherd Cottage’ is an allegory in paint, an image of the Lord returning to call His faithful. His house is an utterly comfortable and secure cottage, radiant with light. The air is luminous with sunset; the sound of His voice thrilling as He calls His sheep into a verdant meadow.”
One of Kinkade’s latest paintings, “Footprints In The Sand” also has Christian motifs as he revels in its meaning, “The parable about footprints in the sand, which reminds us that God carries us through our times of trouble, resonates with profound truth. My ‘Footprints In The Sand’ bustles with human activity - families strolling the pier, fishermen, even my first-ever portrayal of a surfer. Two pairs of footprints in the sand narrow to one, reminding us that when our lives are troubled, God will carry us through to joyous spiritual victory.”
Of course, this only skims the surface of Thomas Kinkade’s collection, but it is enough to show that all of his paintings lead to one place, and that is enjoying the simple pleasures of life. And whether that is the sight of The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California or the snow capped peaks of the Smoky Mountain range in Tennessee, beauty is in the environment everywhere. It is in the simple ways of country living, and in the way that the earth, water, the Sun, and the seasons bring joy to communities.
For more information on Thomas Kinkade, please visit his website at: www.thomaskinkade.com
For books by Thomas Kinkade, there are:
Thomas Kinkade: Paintings In Radiant Light
A Book Of Joy
The Thomas Kinkade Story: A 20-Year Chronology Of The Artist
Comments