"Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them." ~ Thomas Kinkade
Self-described "Painter of Light," artist Thomas Kinkade (1958-2012) was born in the small town of Placerville, California, in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Mountains. He began drawing and painting at age four.
Kinkade began experimenting with luminism-- the creation of paintings that appear to be lit from within-- while working on the animated film Fire and Ice (1982).
"My paintings provide hope to people in despair, provide a reminder of the beauty of God's creation despite the darkness surrounding our lives," said Kinkade who believed God had given him a talent to transform people's lives.
He created tranquil, light-infused paintings, soft-focus pastoral landscapes, that celebrated joy.
"My consistent goal has been to create inviting worlds that draw people into their depths and encourage them to seek a better, brighter, more hopeful existence," he said, calling Norman Rockwell, Walt Disney, and Andy Warhol his artistic heroes.
A devout born-again Christian, Kinkade works in a studio next to his home, called Ivy Gate Cottage. He used between 13-18 layers of oil on his original paintings. He hid the letter "N," for his wife Nanette, in each image he painted.
His popular signature images generated $275 million in retail sales in 2000. As one of America's most collected living painter, his prints hung in one out of every 20 American homes.
"The act of contributing to the lives of others is its own reward. A servant's heart is a greater motivator than financial gain," he said and called himself a "warrior for light."
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