In the country, wildflowers grow in profusion. To me, these bluebonnets, scotch broom and wild poppies symbolize the abundant blessings of Country Living; these are the tangible pleasures that surround you day in and day out where the air is pure and the sun is bright. This scene might be found any place where the hills and valleys are alive with nature’s harmony – the Texas hill country, the Smoky Mountains, the rolling Cascades, or even my native Sierra foothills.
Country Living takes us to a perfect day for celebrating nature’s goodness. This painting is for all those who long for Country Living.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Summer Breeze
Robert Girrard Collection
June 2008
Summer Breeze is a daydream from heaven; more than that, it is a dream of a perfect day. Puffy white clouds dance in the heavens, while white sails shimmer off azure waters. The joyful tranquility of the scene refreshes the soul.
Southern France – the hills of Provence and the dramatic coastline of the Cote d’Azur – is blessed with such perfect days, when an endless stream of sunlight pours over beaches and gardens. The great Impressionist masters – Monet, Sisley, and Renoir – were inspired by such splendor, now I, as Robert Girrard join their company.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Nascar Thunder
May 2008
The race is off! Fireworks burst on the horizon as countless spectators roar and overhead six Thunderbirds tear through the dancing clouds. In the foreground, 43 mighty race cars thunder by as “The King” himself, Richard Petty, waves the green flag for the start of the 40th Running of the DAYTONA 500. As I stand at my trackside easel, painting furiously, the electricity and spectacle of the moment is almost overwhelming.
In my Studio Masterwork release of the “Great American Race” I have tried to capture the power of the starting moment, while paying tribute to the history of this one-of-a-kind NASCAR event.
-- Thomas Kinkade
New Horizons
April 2008
In my Life Values Collection, I explore the connections between the divinely inspired values that sustain the good life. Perseverance, the first issue, considers life as a voyage through stormy seas – a test of faith and a demonstration of God’s sustaining love. Courage, expands on the metaphor of a sea voyage, bringing us to the moment of divine inspiration. New Horizons, my third Life Values print, continues the nautical theme, affirming that courage is rewarded by a dramatic expansion of horizons as we continue our life’s voyage with boldness and assurance.
My New Horizons takes its inspiration from Dutch paintings that celebrate the timeless harbor of the 18th Century. As the more timid vessels make their way to the safety of harbor, the subject of our painting sails boldly forth exploring new horizons…
-- Thomas Kinkade
Fenway Park
March 2008
As a classic medium, painting has given me the chance to celebrate classics of American culture. I’ve set up my easel in theme parks and palaces of American sports in my search to commemorate bits of history. Boston’s Fenway Parkis an example of history in the making – it is one of the ultimate shrines of baseball.
Fenway Park, the oldest Major League ballpark, opened in 1912. The towering Green Monster wall looms over a short left field; Pesky Pole in right field yields the shortest homers in the majors. A lone red seat in right field marks the landing place of Ted Williams’ mighty 1946 shot.
I brought my watercolors to the park for the clinching Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS. Returning to California, I translated the original study into a colorful suggestion of energy and detail. Then with layer upon delicate layer I built up the painting. First acrylic to add texture and toning, then transparent glazes of oil color followed by broad impasto strokes.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Yawkey Way
March 2008
I arrived at Fenway Park for the legendary seventh game of the American League Championship Serieshours before the start of the game. I wanted to savor the festive Fenway experience, which starts hours before the first pitch. Little did I know that the festivities would continue for several weeks to come as the Boston Red Soxwent on to win the 2007 World Series.
I set up my easel on the famous Yawkey Way, named for long-time Red Soxowner Tom Yawkey, where a statue of the legendary Ted Williams greets Sox fans getting a heard start on game day festivities. Colorful booths selling t-shirts and memorabilia, banners strung across the street, raucous taverns, establish a carnival atmosphere.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Key West February 2008
Key West has long attracted literary luminaries and world figures. Like many visitors, I was attracted by its small town charm and vividly colored tropical vistas.
I have hidden a number of world figures in my Key West print, most notable Ernest Hemingway, who stands in front of his beloved Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where he held court during the last years of his life.
I utilized a broad stroke technique along with much fine detail to capture the festive atmosphere of Key West. Between ten and twenty layers of paint, featuring delicate glazing, create the opalescent hues of the Caribbean.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Mountain Memories
February 2008
As a “mountain kid,” who grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, I have a special fondness for the quality of mountain living – its simplicity, self-reliance, sense of union with nature, and gratitude for God’s gifts.
Nestled between dramatic peaks, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains, is a perfect mountain community that touches my boyhood Mountain Memories. I’ve decided to honor the town’s celebration of its bicentennial by featuring a romanticized vision of its present, as well as honoring its rustic past in my limited edition portrait of the town – Mountain Memories.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Footprints In The Sand
December 2007
My Footprints In The Sand takes us to a charming coastal town to explore the interweaving of the human and spiritual elements of our lives.
The scene bustles with human activity – families strolling the pier, fishermen, even my first-ever portrayal of a surfer. The busy people are bathed in the heavenly light of sunset, and flocks of gulls, like messengers from Heaven, descend from the glorious sky.
Two pairs of footprints in the sand narrow to one, reminding us that, when our human lives are troubled, God will always be a constant guide and steady support.
--- Thomas Kinkade
Cannery Row Sunset
December 2007
Monterey’s famed Cannery Row is undergoing a renaissance. No longer the bustling sardine fishing center immortalized by John Steinbeck; it entices visitors today with its many fine shops and boutiques.
As I continue my odyssey as an artist, I find myself drawn to the historic seaside villages of California. One of the reasons, I believe, is that the coastal air, saturated with mist, lays down a mirror-like film of moisture on streets and walkways. Cannery Row Sunset created to celebrate Cannery Row’s 50th Anniversary makes full use of the reflective play of light and color, not only on the busy streets but also upon the luminous surface of Monterey Bay.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Rainy Dusk, Paris
Robert Girrard Collections
November 2007
The beauty of the City of Lights is timeless. The same iridescent dazzle that inspired the Impressionist masters greets me when, in my Robert Girrard persona, I set up my easel.
In Rainy Dusk, Paris I paint on a busy promenade where the residue of a light rain enlivens the colors of store-fronts and street lamps without slowing any of the foot traffic. Parisians shop the kiosks and sip their café au lait at their beloved outdoor tables.
The deep mauve of a damp dusk colors the buildings a rich purple and enriches the rainbow hues of Paris.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Elegant Evening at Biltmore, Nov 07
Built between 1888 – 1896 for George W. Vanderbilt by the famed architect of European opulence, Robert M. Hunt, Biltmore House originally sat on a 125,000 acre estate. Still owned by Vanderbilt heirs, the estate is visited by more than 1,000,000 dazzled tourists each year.
My challenge in painting Elegant Evening At Biltmore was not to convey the heroic scale of this fairy-tale castle, but to make it warmly personal. I utilized glittering lights to suggest a festive evening affair in progress. I invite you to climb aboard your elegant coach and join the celebration.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Capitola Village
October 2007
Capitola Village is a favorite destination for an afternoon drive. I have friends there, Nanette and I dine with them there; this charming California coastal village is as familiar as my backyard; I’ve even painted it many times.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I ventured onto the cliffs above Capitola to be greeted by a dazzling new vista. In the afternoon light, the buildings seemed to glisten like the Emerald City of Oz.
I returned the following week and set up my easel at this precise spot. The long wooden pier divides the ocean into gemstone color swaths – emerald and turquoise. Pinks and blues shimmer in the town; the cliffs and beach are painted rose by the setting sun. I was truly seeing Capitola Village as if for the first time.
--- Thomas Kinkade
The Dome Cathedral, Riga, Latvia
October 2007
It’s important that, from time to time, we get in touch with our inner child.
I recently met up with mine in an unlikely place – in Riga, Latvia. My visit to Riga featured a chance to work with young Latvian orphans who knew nothing about art or artists. I was enchanted by the passion and purity of their openness to art.
Later, I set up my easel in the cobblestone square facing the ancient “Dome Cathedral” and began to paint. It was a blue-sky day with wispy clouds dancing over the copper dome.
I realized then that I bring the same passion to my plein air painting that the Latvian orphans showed me.
-- Thomas Kinkade
A New Day At The Cinderella Castle
October 2007
Two of the dream-memories we take from childhood on our life’s journey, if we are fortunate, are the wonder and excitement of Disney World and the soaring majesty of castles.
A New Day at the Cinderella Castle discovers a morning every bit as festive and delightful as the castle itself. A double rainbow arcs over the towering castle; fluffy clouds dapple its many towers with light and shade. Lavish, rainbow-hued trees and shrubs frame the building; quaint gas lamps dance along the walkway.
I used a more whimsical style in keeping with the subject: Is Bambi on the lawn? Tinkerbell above the castle spires? The Ugly Duckling in the pond? You decide.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Spirit of Christmas September 2007
Christmas is the season when I wrap myself in warm memories. I remember the enchanting times we had hanging ornaments when my kids were young and my own delight at the colors of Christmas lights.
I experience all those layers of memory as I walk down Spirit of Christmas, the first in my new Christmas series.
Spirit of Christmas is inspired by the classic holiday icons of image-makers like Currier and Ives. I hope it awakens your own deepest memories of the “season of lights”.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Yankee Stadium, August 2007
No one ever forgets their first visit to Yankee Stadium – I certainly remember mine. The color, the noise, and the nearness of history… the spectacle takes your breath away.
And now, in 2008, the greatest cathedral to the game of baseball is about to close its doors forever. I could not let such a historic moment pass without honoring it in my way.
This is the original Yankee Stadium – the house that Ruth built – with its cavernous center field and its statues to the immortal Bronx Bombers…. For eighty-five years, some of the greatest players in the game have called Yankee Stadium home. Now you can bring this Field of Dreams into your home.
--- Thomas Kinkade
La Jolla Cove,
July 2007
La Jolla Cove reminds me that my whole artistic adventure hasn’t really taken so very long. This romantic vista brings me back over twenty-five years, when Nanette and I used to travel to my very first few galleries in a pick-up truck complete with camper shell which doubled as a motel room.
La Jolla Cove presents a very romantic sunset. Radiant light bathes the clouds and paints the sea a luminous turquoise; it gilds the smooth rocks with a silver sheen.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Evening On The Avenue,
July 2007
The very word “avenue” awakens memories… of the lively, flourishing main streets of turn-of-the-century America. Families strolled America’s avenues then, to conduct their business and to carry on their social life.
Evening On The Avenue, inspired by a still-flourishing main street in Charleston, South Carolina, is a nostalgic look back to a time when streets like this were the life-blood of the nation and not mere curiosities.
The painting has a symbolic message: the peacefulness and serenity of traditional communities are still the heart of any nation.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Cobblestone Evening
June 2007
In Cobblestone Evening we have come full circle with this classic English village, which returns us to our imagined brook and bridge, and to some of the humble, utterly charming stone cottages we’ve visited along the way.
Fittingly, our ramble ends at just that breathless hour when the plump trout are biting in the brook, and stillness wraps the land in a fleecy blanket of perfect peace.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Sailing Day
Robert Girrard, May 2007
As a young man I often felt the urge to paint in the manner of the French Impressionist masters through my alter-ego, Robert Girrard.
The subject for “Sailing Day” has been captured many times by Manet or Pissaro, both of whom seemed transfixed by the effects of light dancing upon the water.
In my persona as Robert Girrard I celebrate the language of nature at its most joyful. Every artist knows that nature has many moods, but I am frequently happiest when, as in “Sailing Day,” God’s green earth invites me to put on my beret and share the inspiring passion of the moment.
- Thomas Kinkade
Graceland®, 50th Anniversary, Mar 2007
Fifty years ago, the King of Rock ‘n Roll bought the palace that became, for him, a sanctuary from the demands of a very public life, and for devotees of American pop culture, a Mecca that grows only more famous with the passage of time. Graceland is one of the most visited homes in America, where legions of fans come to embrace the memories and the music of the undying rock legend, Elvis Presley.
I grew up with Elvis’ great songs and movies; my older sister was a huge fan who played his records until she wore them out. I’ve grown to appreciate the energy and high spirits the King contributed to what has become classic American culture. So, naturally, I was delighted when I got the opportunity to paint the official 50th Anniversary portrait of Graceland.
I set up my easel at Graceland on a crisp autumn morning when the stately home was particularly cozy and welcoming. I was inspired to paint it with smoke curling from the chimney and a golden light blazing in every window. I finished my sketchy plein-air study in just a few hours, and then took Graceland, 50th Anniversary to my studio where I created an image that includes such finishing touches as a likeness of the King and one of his famous cars.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Gingerbread Cottage, Feb 2007
I am intrigued by the manners, the art, the architecture of Victorian England, perhaps because, like the Victorians, I believe that real life can be like a fairy-tale.Gingerbread Cottage is based on a real 19th Century house I discovered in Southern England. The whimsical structure with its brick, stone, wood filigree, shingle siding, awnings, dormers, and spires, revels in a spirit of romantic excess. Here is the fairy-tale charm of Hansel and Gretel’s Gingerbread Cottage brought to life.I believe that the architects took their inspiration from the art of the confectioners, who added layers of decorative icing to their houses of cake.The setting sun paints the windows with a most inviting golden glow. The front garden is a riot of rainbow colors with lavish flowers dancing in the evening breeze. The profuse floral display enhances the fairy-tale charm of this secluded Victorian treasure. I’ve provided a whimsical bench from which you may enjoy the advance of evening at Gingerbread Cottage.
--- Thomas Kinkade
Serenity Cove,
Jan 2007
Serenity Cove, 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 toward the horizon symbolize the life journey of my four daughters as they grow into adulthood.
In nature, times of change are often the most brilliantly colored. The transition of sunset paints the fading hues of autumn with a heavenly radiance; in this, the still waters of Serenity Cove reflect the glory of earth and sky.
The lighthouse is not just a beacon of hope and symbol of faith; it is also a cozy family cottage. The gazebo and lawn furniture suggest the comfortable life lived within this safe haven.
- Thomas Kinkade
Lake Arrowhead,
Dec 2006
Just as most people travel with a camera, I often travel with paints and canvas. I never know when a spectacular vista or a dramatic sky may tempt me to set to work in God’s glorious outdoors.
I painted Lake Arrowhead on a brisk fall afternoon when the air was crystal clear and the sky a dazzling blue. The lake is a sapphire gem set among rugged hills; the deep blue-green of pine and spruce contrasts with the gold of scattered maples in their autumn glory.
The Lake Arrowhead Lodge is a classic mountain inn that is every bit as comfortable as it looks. Its red gabled roof mirrors the contours of the surrounding hills; its rugged breakwater provides a dramatic backdrop for the pounding surf.
- Thomas Kinkade
The
Spirit of New York ,
Nov 2006
On a recent trip to New York with my family, we got
the chance to boat on the East River, enjoying seldom-seen
views of the city. As I savored the sights, I began
to sense the pulsing rhythm of this great metropolis.
It dawned on me: The Spirit of New York is a mix of
courage, resolve and an indomitable sense of celebrating
life in all its diversity. As I gazed up at the mighty
Brooklyn Bridge I realized that this vast panoramic
view of the city is alive with the energy and vitality
that make New York unique in all of the world. What
image could better summarize The Spirit of New York
in all its radiant energy?
- Thomas Kinkade
A
Winter's Cottage ,
Nov 2006
As I look back over
my development as an artist, I come to realize how
important the trip Nanette and I and our two oldest
girls made to the English Cotswolds early in our marriage
really was to my self-discovery.
The rustic charm of the thatch-roofed cottages like
A Winter’s Cottage, the solidity of their massive
stone walls, the way a golden, welcoming light poured
through their ample windows – it all came to
represent “the simple life” for me, long
before I began to use that phrase to express my philosophy
of living.
I varied my painting technique on that trip as well.
I’ve come to recognize that “A Winter’s
Cottage is one of my early examples of my Impressionist
style. It may even be said that my Impressionist persona,
Robert Girrard, made his first appearance in the English
countryside.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Christmas
Moonlight ,
Oct 2006
A full moon on Christmas Eve is so very romantic;
especially when the surprising radiance of moonlight
reflects silver on a snow-filled landscape. In Christmas
Moonlight, a brilliant full moon dances on
the wispy clouds, paints a silver pathway over the
pond, touches the snowy tree limbs with light, illuminates
the walk and bridge with a welcoming glow, and bathes
the roof of our solid stone retreat in a warm, milky
white.
The scene is joyful and welcoming. Golden light
pours through big windows and smoke curls up from the
chimney; the cozy comfort of the family life lived
within offers a welcome refuge from the cold, crisp
Christmas Eve.
-- Thomas Kinkade
Great
North ,
Sep 2006
Great North visits a mountain vastness,
where wild, brooding peaks loom above the shores of
an untamed spreading river. It is sunset, but,
somehow, sunset has magnified its grandeur in these
northern skies, as gray wisps of clouds soar like eagles
over the curtain of pale gold.
Men embrace a tenuous existence along the shores of
the mountain waters. Their homes are mostly rough
hewed shacks, cut from the abundant forests and erected
to provide secure shelter against the cold night wind
and the driving sleet. Amidst the structures
of the camp we see a single native wigwam – a
reminder that this epic landscape has long been host
to both diverse wildlife and diverse human cultures.
-- Thomas Kinkade
-- Thomas Kinkade
Sunrise
Chapel/Chapels of Nature V, Aug 2006
Sunrise graces us with a radiant metaphor for faith. No
matter how dark the night, the day will dawn, renewing
the Lord’s tender mercies and rewarding the hopes
of the faithful.
Glorious Sunrise Chapel, its lights
ablaze, is ideal for a deeply moving sunrise service. Its
lights beckon; perhaps by strolling the lush hillside
paths you might find your way to the entrance verandah,
which I envision on the far side of the chapel overlooking
the view.
The landscape is symbolic; the distant mountains that
flow into the far horizon are watered by rivers and
lakes suggesting the passage of time. The rocks
that line the headlands remind us of the strength of
our faith.
-- Thomas Kinkade
River Seine, July 2006
Impressionism has always seemed to me a most romantic
painting style – so emotionally charged, so
free.
When I first put on my beret and assumed my Robert
Girrard persona, the circumstances certainly were romantic. My
young family’s first visit to Paris was accomplished
on a shoestring – we lived on the streets for
five days in a borrowed RV until the gendarme asked
us to move on.
I painted River Seine with my easel on a bridge, much
like the one in the canvas, overlooking Paris’ great
river.
The warm light of dusk seemed to draw me into the
heart of the City of Light. I used broken colors
and broad strokes to evoke the emotional response to
my beloved Paris that still touches me so many years
later.
--- Thomas Kinkade
San Francisco, The Presidio, July 2006
There is a special golden moment on a San Francisco
spring morning when the sun seems to break through
with such clarity and radiance that it is as though
you’d stepped through the gates of Paradise.
When I set up my large easel in San Francisco’s
richly historic Presidio, I was blessed with just such
a glorious morning. Shadows danced on the foreground
and the ancient chapel seemed to come alive. The
Presidio is one of San Francisco’s oldest districts;
since the Spanish occupation in 1776, it has been the
site of Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. naval and military
operations. The region, with its nearly five
hundred historic buildings, splendid hiking trails,
and spectacular natural vistas became a part of the
Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1994.
---- Thomas Kinkade
Capitola
Sunset, July 2006
I wish that every family could be as fortunate as
mine has been in finding havens of beauty and tranquility.
The serene seaside village of Capitola, just north
of Monterey has become a favorite weekend retreat for
the Kinkade family. Recently, I set up my easel
under a beach umbrella and began to paint the romantic
expanse of sand and water and sky, drawing a crowd
of curious onlookers as I worked. The ancient
wooden pier becomes the centerpiece of luminous ocean
waters painted gold by the setting sun….
Charming Victorian homes line the hillside; rustic
shacks perch atop the pier. The intriguing octagonal
restaurant with its gleaming windows serves some tasty
fare…
--- Thomas Kinkade
Mountain
Paradise, June 2006
It is possible to embrace the world of our deepest
dreams. I do that as an artist, and it is my
fervent hope that canvases like my new “Mountain
Paradise” enable you to do that as well.
My “Mountain Paradise” is set in one of
God’s heroic mountain landscapes - …… Here
is a rustic cabin nestled into a truly idyllic hideaway.
Access to my paradise is provided by an old wooden
bridge. Intriguing trails and a waiting canoe
entice the camper to explore the nearby hills by foot
or water. A handsome stag and mate and a lively
flock of wild turkeys attest to the abundance of wildlife;
wild ducks drop in for a landing.
The light of sunset pours from the sky, painting the
clouds and nearby hills with a heavenly radiance. My “Mountain
Paradise” is truly my daydream of an idyllic
mountain hideaway.
--- Thomas Kinkade
Disneyland
50th Anniversary, June 2006 NOW AVAILABLE IN CANADA
How many children have stood at this very spot, eyes
wide with wonder at their first glimpse of Sleeping
Beauty Castle, since Disneyland park opened fifty years
ago?
When the Disneyland 50th Anniversary gala was announced,
I jumped at the chance to paint this place of joyous
memories.
I was given special permission to set up my easel
on Main Street to paint a plein air study. Swarms
of people gathered round to watch and encourage as
I painted Sleeping Beauty Castle, soon to be festooned
with decorations, flags, and banners celebrating Disneyland’s
50th. I couldn’t resist painting my own
family, buying balloons at the lower right of the canvas,
among the diverse crowd.
The drama of the sunset in my Disneyland 50th Anniversary
suggests the end of an era, while the glowing lights
at the base of the castle remind us that a new age
of imagination and celebration awaits.
--- Thomas Kinkade
Lakeside
Manor/ Mansions in Paradise I May,
2006
"In my Father's
house are many mansions..." - John 14:2
In His intriguing account of the promise of Paradise,
Jesus proclaimed that each of us will find a welcoming
home amidst its "many mansions." In my new Mansions
in Paradise series, I turn my artist's eye away
from the humble cottages of village and town and toward
more majestic dwellings. My goal in this series
is to create mansions truly worthy of a paradise, whether
earthly or heavenly.
At once majestic and comfortably human in scale, Lakeside
Manor, first in my new series, nestles along
the shore of this cobalt blue lake. Here is
a grand mansion complete with cozy nooks where you
might comfortably settle in for a warming cup of
tea or a long evening's conversation. A weathered
old stone bridge invites visitors to stroll the verdant
grounds, while the brook at the left provides a tranquil
background murmur sure to make the spirit soar.
- Thomas Kinkade
Stanley
Creek April,
2006
The
pleasure of a dramatic plein air study, like the
pleasure of the majestic natural vista that inspires
it, is timeless.
Some years ago, when I first
started hauling my painting apparatus deep into the
woods, I came upon Stanley Creek bubbling
through the foothills of Idaho's spectacular Sawtooth
Mountains. I was entranced by the sere brown
of the autumn grasses and the crisp clarity of the
water dancing down the mountainside as I set to work
with bold strokes to capture the entrancing scene.
For many years after, this
painting held an honored place in the Kinkade home. Then,
after visiting our gallery in Boise, I decided to
offer Stanley Creek as my first
print to celebrate the beauty of the Sawtooth region.
- Thomas Kinkade
The
Heart of San Francisco March,
2006
My passion for San
Francisco should be evident to all. After all,
I've done nearly twenty images for publication that
celebrate my beloved city by the bay. Yet looking
back on all these images, I have yet to document a
setting that is as quintessentially "San Francisco" as
my newest work. We can almost hear the clanging
of bells as a cable car makes its way ponderously up
the street while colorful vehicles dodge to and fro
on the congested pavement. Street musicians ply
their trade as a makeshift audience gathers, and two
lovers stroll arm-in-arm beneath an umbrella. At
the far left, the towers of a Cathedral lend a timeless
presence while in the distance, the Coit Tower and
the picturesque monoliths of the bridge stand guard
over the glistening bay. An Italian flag above
a chop suey parlor bears testimony to the cultural
diversity of my favorite city, and the ever present
wisps of fog lend an enchanting mood.
-Thomas Kinkade
Gazing January,
2006
I don't think it's a
historical accident that Impressionist painting began
in France. There are distinctive French vistas that are
so lyrical, so vibrantly drenched in radiant light, that
they virtually compel the brush to dance over the canvas
with the verve of a Renoir or Manet.
Gazing takes us to just such an exquisite
French locale. A lithe, graceful young lady, dressed
in white chiffon and wearing a bonnet, gazes out across
a glittering lake toward a distant village. She stands
under a single, slender tree. The basket she carries
suggests some forgotten purpose; for the moment, she
is entirely absorbed in the vista that captures her gaze.
The mood is one of breathless anticipation. It is not
only the girl who holds her breath in order to enter
into the perfect tranquility of the moment; it is us
as well. As she gazes at far horizons, we, in turn, gaze
at her, hoping to join in her beautiful world.
I adopted my Impressionist persona, and developed the
vivid, animated style so that I could create poetic effects
that lift my audience beyond the mundane world we live
in. Here, we can join a young girl Gazing at
a timeless vista.
-Thomas Kinkade
Autumn
on Mackinac Island December,
2005
Life is filled with
quiet surprises. One such delight can be found
in an autumn weekend on Mackinac Island, that charming
retreat from modern living nestled in the sparkling
waters between Lakes Michigan and Huron. The
only way to reach Mackinac Island is aboard ferry,
and once you've arrived, the only modes of transport
are walking, bicycles, and romantic horse-drawn carriages. No
automobiles or motorcycles disturb the enchanting
timelessness.
In autumn, crisp beds of geraniums highlight the
lush greenery, while the heady aroma of chocolate fudge
blankets the island. The array of charming Victorian
homes and hotels, crowned by the magnificent Grand
Hotel transports us into centuries past. The
nostalgic mood is further underscored by musket fire
echoing from the restored Fort Mackinac.
In Autumn on Mackinac Island, carriages clatter
down the enchanting lane while bicycles weave languidly
to and fro. Nan's Fudge Shop ( a tribute to my
wife's famous fudge recipe) invites us to sample the
island's chief product, while the Grand Hotel peeks
proudly from behind the autumn foliage of the trees
at the left of the lane. The steeple of the famous
Little Stone Church rises above the trees at the right
of the composition and geraniums festoon the town with
patches of red.
Now, with Autumn on Mackinac Island, you can enjoy
the season of plenty in this charming, nostalgic haven
all year round.
Sunset
on Lamplight Lane December,
2005
My art keeps me
young. The joy of creation is invigorating: I
approach each new canvas with the same enthusiasm,
the same expectancy, the same curiosity that I brought
at the start of my career.
The reality of time's passage has been clarified
for me with Sunset on Lamplight Lane, my return
to a favorite subject of my youth. When Merritt
and Chandler, my oldest girls, were tiny children,
Nanette, the girls and I spent a blissful time exploring
the English Cotswolds. The Lamplight Lane series,
which followed the imaginary Brook Windermerer as it
wound through a romantic lamp lit village, was perhaps
my most popular celebration of the charms of rural
England.
My oldest, Merritt, was five when I painted Lamplight
Lame; soon she'll be a high school graduate. I
thought I would celebrate her life changes by returning
one last time to Lamplight Lane, which centers upon
the cobblestone bridge that is itself a symbol of transition. I
even included a small rowing skiff, named "Miss Merritt",
to symbolize the journey into life that all of us embark
upon.
As I worked on the piece, I constantly searched
my archives to make sure that each cottage is both
authentic and unique. Sunset on Lamplight Lane
refers both to the radiant sunset that bathes the village
in myriad reflections, an to the completion of the
final work in an epic series of paintings.
First
Snow December,
2005
The painter must be a close watcher of nature. From
a very early age, I trained myself to be alert to the
treasures God places before our wondering eyes. So,
when a rare First Snow fell on the brilliant autumn
woods near my home town of Placerville, I was ready.
I still remember my tromp through the crunchy, new
snow on a crisp O gdctober morning. The air was
radiant with the lights of two seasons – the
flaming golds and muted greens of the autumn woods,
and the dazzling white of a new winter snow that still
clung in profusion to the boughs. The rural lane, with
its rustic rail fence, seemed to entice me on a journey
from fall to winter.
As I pass through the seasons of my own life, the
great cyclical mystery of God’s seasons deepens
for me. I recognize, especially, that the gradual
transition from one to another is filled with wonder. When,
as in the First Snow, the dramatic change of season
is the work of a single night, the effect can be startling
and thrilling.
I painted First Snow years ago, but beauty is the
gift that foes on giving. The blessed morning
god gave us all those years ago can still bless your
home with beauty today.
Boston
Celebration November,
2005
In Boston Celebration
I return to a favorite subject at a different time of
day and year. I first painted historic Boston Commons
fourteen years ago on a damp fall afternoon. Now, I follow
that collector favorite with Boston Celebration, meant
to evoke the thrilling days following the Patriot's 2005
Super Bowl triumph which came on the heels of the curse-breaking
Red Sox World Series. Flags celebrating the champions
festoon the square; blazing lights seem to herald the
exciting moment; the glowing façade of Park Street
Church looms like a victory torch.
-Thomas Kinkade
Sunlit
Garden November,
2005
Sunlit Garden, painted
under my Impressionist brush name, Robert Girrard, exhibits
a freedom of brushstroke and boldness of color that embraces
the style of the French Impressionist masters. Girrard,
like Kinkade, loves massive old stone and steel gates,
intricate iron fences, and the equally intricate shadows
they cast. We both love the flowers of spring - in this
case, roses and dogwood festooning the grounds. And we
both think that a fully enclosed courtyard is an irresistible,
intimate space. I can only hope that you will join me
in my Sunlit Garden.
-Thomas Kinkade
Salt
Lake City of Lights October,
2005
On a trip to Salt Lake
City many years ago I was enamored with the lingering
effects of dusk on the distant mountains and the way
in which the lights of the city began to twinkle as the
shadows of the mountains enveloped the skyline. I decided
then and there to attempt to capture the city when the
timing was right. And now the timing is perfect!
As I worked on Salt Lake: City of
Lights, I constantly balanced the desire to
infuse the historic details of the city (for example
the towering capitol building at the far left and the
famous tabernacle and temple of the Mormon Church in
the right middle) with touches of the newer buildings
and skyline. The Delta Center seen at the far right stands
in contrast with the cluster of smaller buildings that
make up the foreground and distance, and the many skyscrapers
needed occasional alterations to complete the composition
with balance and poise.
In the end, I'm confident that this epic
painting (the original is over 6 feet wide) does justice
to the vision that captured me years ago when I was dazzled
by the lights of Salt Lake City. As a capitol city, Salt
Lake City ranks right up there in my mind with other
enchanting capitols I've painted, be it Washington DC,
Paris, London or others. Here truly is a historic city
that shines like a jewel in the desert. Here truly is
a city of lights.
-Thomas Kinkade
Christmas
Evening September,
2005
Nature is the greatest artist of all. To
prove that to yourself, simply visit a favorite place
during an unfamiliar season.
That’s what I’ve done with Christmas Evening.
Here I return to the cottage that is the centerpiece
of A Quiet Evening — the
thatch-roofed hutch many collectors have told me is
their favorite Kinkade home.
In the earlier work the cottage is framed by the brilliant
blossoms of spring. Here, winter has painted the scene
with
its distinctive brush: snow crowns the bare trees and
clings to the roof; a cheerful snowman greets visitors
who walk
the frozen pathway. I’ve set the scene at sunset
so that the rich rose and salmon tones, filtered through
a gentle
mist, will warm the otherwise chilly setting with a
radiant light.
It is the evening before Christmas day, and the joyous
symbols of the season abound.The cozy cottage is festooned
with Christmas lights; a wreath is hung on the door;
a previously unseen gas lamp heralds visitors from across
the
icy stream.
The most poignant reminder
of the season of family and joy is the cottage itself.The
heartening light
that pours
from
all its windows proclaims to one and all: herein
abides love and human comfort. Like me perhaps you
can imagine
children gathered around the tree, singing Christmas
carols while the family prepares to savor a lovingly
prepared
meal. Surely the Christmas spirit is alive within
these stone walls.
Victorian
Autumn September,
2005
My heart inhabits some
enchanting homes. In every season, it discovers a stately
dwelling place,
combining the dignity
of grand traditions with the delights of domesticity.
My Victorian Autumn, the fourth seasonal addition
to my series of idyllic family retreats, visits
an imposing
Victorian
mansion in the fall of the year. A handsome, gabled
roof flanks the massive brick chimney, which trickles
smoke
from the hearth into the cool
evening air. Light pours through the rectangular
windows, providing a glimpse of the comfortable
family life unfolding within. Though we don’t
actually see parents or children, we sense the busy,
active, satisfying lives they
lead in this tranquil setting.
The change of seasons
is well underway, and nature is blessed by the abundance
of color it displays
when summer
begins to fade into fall. The near foliage is lavish
with the last blossoms of summer, the reds, pinks,
blues, and purples
of a floral bouquet, while the trees have already
begun to flame red and gold with the vibrant hues
of autumn.
Victorian Autumn is an idyllic spot from which to
savor the ripe pleasures of this most fruitful
season of the
year. I invite
you to join me in savoring this joyful home where
our hearts can reside among God’s quiet blessings.
Living
Waters July,
2005
Like many people of faith, I have often contemplated
the glories of heaven. Christ said he would prepare
a mansion for us - could he also prepare a divine garden
setting where in we might pursue a recreational game
or two? (Or two or three thousand?)
Imagine the possibilities: not a care to interrupt
the stroll through the verdant grounds, not a deadline
to interfere, not an interruption to beckon. Bliss,
pure and simple, and a fragrant walk through the morning
light as one pursues the perfect round.
-See you on the links! Thomas Kinkade
London June,
2005
The Thatched roof cottages of rural England
have charmed and intrigued me; the splendid manor houses
scattered throughout the country side have tantalized
me with their taste of noble living. But I have never
before painted the great English metropolis, the bustling,
light filled jewel of nostalgia and history that is London.
London is the rarest of contemporary cities - at once
rich with picturesque landmarks and invigorated by modern
energies. I set up my easel at just this spot to capture
its two faces. I painted within the shadows of Westminster
Bridge, ancient and massive, while a regal sunset illuminated
the reflections of the House of Parliament and the Tower
of Big Ben in the silvery water of the Thames.
A stately old tugboat passed by as I painted and I decided
to include it in my London. I had some fun with the river,
hiding the periscope of a vintage submarine in its depths
- perhaps an outgrowth of my recent readings regarding
London's participation as our ally during the war my
father fought in - World War II. And does the bottle
bobbling under the bridge hold a love letter to my wife
Nanette, or is it instead a love letter to the glorious
city?
Gate
of New Beginnings June,
2005
Any life worth living is a life enriched
by frequent new beginnings. Recently, I entered into
a new beginning of my own: the third decade of my life’s
work as a published artist. As I think back on all the
memories and inspirations the last twenty years have
held, I am filled with eager anticipation of what the
coming decade may bring.
Perhaps in your own life you’ve had cause to
reflect on a season of new beginnings recently. For
many, the past few years have brought change. Perhaps
you have encountered in recent days a new love to savor,
or a new career opportunity to embrace, or even a new
life challenge to be faced. This is the inspiration
behind my newest painting, Gate of New Beginnings.
This work is special in another way: it is the first
ever print created especially for our most loyal collectors —
those who graciously take part in our exciting events
each year. This ‘events only piece’ is
created as a form of thank you to the many who have
celebrated our events in the past, and to the many
new faces that we are sure to see at upcoming events.
Enjoy this print as a commemoration of not just your
passion for art, but also of your passion for life!
As part of that celebration, I infused Gate of New
Beginnings with an explosion of color — joyous
dogwood
blooms mingle with the fragrant floral blossoms that
line the woodland path. Since spring truly is the season
of new beginnings, my newest painting is also a joyous
ode to spring.
Church
of the Wayfarer June,
2005
Countless visitors
have come to Carmel’s
Church of the Wayfarer, a tourist haven, in the century
since its construction in 1904. Who knows the thousands
of celebrations of joy and sorrow that have been held
within these walls…the weddings, the baptisms,
the memorial services that accompany the beginning and
end of life?
I set up my easel to paint
the grand old chapel in the glorious light of an
autumn morning. The radiance
seemed to kiss the shadows away from the whitewashed
walls. Monterey pine trees form a festive garland surrounding
the church’s craftsman style cupola and steeple.
The church is framed by the famous Biblical Garden
on its left, which showcases many plants from the holy
land, and the equally famed Cottage restaurant, where
my family feasted as I worked.
My Church of the Wayfarer celebrates one hundred years
of a grand California tradition. If your own travels
bring you to the Pacific coast sometime, perhaps you
too will pause and celebrate the beauty of this enchanting
landmark.
Stillwater
Cottage May,
2005
Still waters run deep; the waters of this
crystal pool offer a balm to the soul. Here, in this
tranquil glade, God's perfect peace reigns.
I have frequently tried to capture on canvas such refuges.
Stillwater Cottage, which introduces my mew Peaceful
Cottages series, is, in a sense, the companion piece
to a painting I did years ago entitled Beside Still Waters.
This cottage sits comfortably in its hushed setting,
where no breeze rustles the leaves of the trees and the
only motion is provided by the gracefully gliding geese.
I wanted Stillwater Cottage to come alive for you as
a place of refuge. The light pouring from the windows
suggests that a family dwells at peace within. Carefully
observed details - the weathered brass bell over the
door, the stone bench and ancient rock retaining wall
- give this cottage character.
The rich colors of sunset bathe the glade and the distant
trees in glorious light. In this place, God is surely
present; we feel the comfort and protection we can only
know when we are in His hands.
Mountain
Retreat April
,
2005
I am frequently told that my paintings are
to many people like glimpses of heaven. With this in
mind, my latest work, Mountain Retreat, might be thought
of as the kind of heavenly vision that any enthusiast
of country living would long for.
In Mountain Retreat I share
a vision of nature as the Peaceable Kingdom, where
man fits harmoniously
into a glorious natural setting, and gentle creatures – wild
turkeys, deer and ducks – live without fear.
A bubbling brook flows serenely past the sturdy log
cabin, feeding a crystal clear pool where the weary
wanderer might pause to swim or cast his fly rod for
plump brook trout.
Mountain Retreat, first work
in a new series that bears the same name, is the
spiritual heir to my well-known
print from 2002, A Peaceful Retreat. Like the earlier
painting, Mountain Retreat explores the nuances of
man’s interaction with nature. An enamel coffee
pot stands next to the campfire, smoke curls from the
cabin’s chimney, and golden light pours from
the windows.
The last rays of sunset light up the clouds and touch
the trees with a radiant fire. I particularly like
the dramatic effect of light on the oak trees at the
left, which reminds us that God is the greatest painter
of all.
For the collector who enjoys
cabin settings, I hope this latest addition will
become a new favorite. I
invite you to come and sit beside the campfire with
me, pull up a log stump to sit upon, and enjoy the
sounds of this peaceful setting in nature’s paradise.
Montmartre April
, 2005
My artist’s heart beats faster in
Montmartre, surrounded as I am by the heritage of giants.
When I set my easel and canvas on the sidewalks of what
was, a century ago, the artistic capital of the world,
I know that I follow in the steps of Toulouse-Lautrec,
Manet, and all the others who made this section of Paris
the symbol of the artistic lifestyle. Happily, Parisian
women still stroll the boulevards with parasols in hand,
so that my Montmartre retains its historic flavor.
Summer's
Morning April
, 2005
The play of light on water intrigues and
challenges me today, much as it challenged the impressionist
masters a century ago. Like Monet, I love to set up my
easel on a riverbank and attempt to capture the multiple
reflections and the sparkle of sunlight as a gentle breeze
ripples the stream. In my impressionist work, A Summer’s
Morning, the reflections of sailboats dance on the crystal
waters. I try to make my brush dance on my canvas, much
as Monet’s brush danced when he painted outdoors
a century ago.
Edge
of the wilderness April
, 2005
It can be fascinating
to look back at the path you’ve walked in your
like. When I was a young man, working my way toward
my mature painting style,
I fell under the influence of artists who would point
me in directions I would later make my own. In my student
days, I discovered the work of the great American landscape
painters like Thomas Hill, Albert Bierstadt, and Frederick
Church as well. Their ability to imbue landscape with
spiritual qualities delighted and inspired me.
The Edge of the Wilderness, an epic work created while
I was still in my twenties, reflects my early experiments
with creating a sublime landscape style all my own.
The painting was clearly inspired by early masters
of the mythology of the American West, but it also
displays the distinctive touches that would define
my later works.
I placed
my frontier camp under a majestic peak on the shores
of a sylvan mountain lake. The presence
of boats on the shore suggests the harmony of man and
nature, as it does in many of my mature landscapes.
This is one of my many early works to feature a Native
American tepee, and smoke curls up from it into the
autumn sunset much as it will from the chimneys of
more conventional dwellings. The Edge of the Wilderness
is a landmark from the earliest days of my career as
the Painter of Light™.
The
Guiding Light April
, 2005
Collection: Lights of
Inspiration I
Sizes: 12x24, 18x36, 24x48, 30x60
For the first time ever, Thom has chosen to paint
in a 1:2 aspect ratio, creating a wonderful vista
with The Guiding Light that creates a grand and
very dramatic panoramic vision in the home.
Thom has hidden 14 Ns in The Guiding Light as an
ongoing tribute to his wife, Nanette.
The sunset depicted in The Guiding Light is the
most dramatic and luminous of all that are found
in Thom’s paintings.
Some believe that artists are touched by a spark
of divine fire. I have always felt that true inspiration
is a gift from our Creator, and have often heard
stories from collectors who have found renewed
strength, hope or comfort from something I have
created. In that sense perhaps all artists, whether
musician, painter, or poet can at times be a vessel
of God’s profound mercy and love. If this
is true, then inspiration can be thought of as
both spiritual and deeply human.
The Guiding Light, first in my Lights of Inspiration
series, speaks to the dual nature of inspiration.
This brilliant sunset penetrates the swirling storms
that sometimes afflict our soul, reminding us that
the deep emotions of hope and faith are a truer reflection
of our spiritual nature than any doubt or turmoil
can be. This radiant light works in concert with
the towering clouds to create a sunset that is among
the most luminous and dramatic I have ever attempted
to capture on canvas.
The Guiding Light introduces a compositional format
that is new for me. The long, narrow canvas is perfect
for those settings in the home that call for a panoramic
vision. As I worked, I envisioned this handsome piece
over a comfortable sofa or above a rustic fireplace
or in some other special setting. Surely, this dramatic
panorama might carry the viewer's imagination to
sweeping distant vistas.
The low horizon line also allows me to accentuate
the drama of the sunset above. Certainly the one
word I would use to summarize my newest work would
be: INSPIRATION!
Lakeside
Manor/ Mansions in Paradise I
