Colton Hall seemed a most suitable place for such a gathering. California's Spanish past comes alive in old Monterey. Colton Hall was built more than 150 years ago to be the town hall for a capital city of Spanish California. The first California constitution was drafted in this building; generations of children went to school here. Today, "Colton Hall, Monterey" is a historical museum. The link between past and present comes dramatically alive in this place.

I painted "Colton Hall, Monterey" on a splendid day when a brilliant afternoon sun dappled the vast lawn with patches of light and shade. The radiant light seemed to frame the hall in an atmosphere of tranquil beauty. It provided me a wonderful occasion to demonstrate my techniques for capturing light to a large and eager audience."

-Thomas Kinkade

""Cape May Light," which clings to the southernmost tip of New Jersey, is far-famed for its stately height and majestic simplicity of line. It soars up from the shore, and has provided long and faithful service to generations of sailors.

I am a great admirer of lighthouses. Their powerful beacons, penetrate fog and rain, they stand in splendid isolation against the buffeting of wind and wave. To me, a lighthouse is an emblem of faith and hope, reminding us that we endure life's storms only through the grace of God.

When I set up my easel and canvas before "Cape May Light," one of the frequent fogs that often blanket the coast had shrouded the lighthouse. In fact, the fog was so dense that it hid the top of the light from my sight. I feared that I'd have to pack up my paints and come back another day, when suddenly the fog parted, as if a mighty hand had swept it away.

The sky became a vibrant cerulean blue, and sunlight bathed the lighthouse in a beam that comes only from a heavenly source. I sat down to my task, hoping to complete my work while the magical light remained. I tried to capture the exhilaration of that wonderful moment in my painting. I hope that I have succeeded."

-Thomas Kinkade

"There are places I visit that feel like dreams come true. When I took my children to Cape May, New Jersey - the picturesque and charming port town that is renowned as America's oldest Victorian seaside resort - I felt as if I'd stepped into one of my own romantic canvases.

As I walked historic Jackson Street, past a succession of delightful shops and fragrant restaurants, I thought how fine it would be if I could bring all my friends along. I decided then to paint my impressions of the street.

As I set up my easel, a coastal fog rolled in, casting the ornate Victorian buildings in a soft, shimmering light as if they existed in a world of fond memory. Street and house lights came on; their reflections glistened in the mirror surface of the damp streets. Umbrellas opened, and folks scurried about; the dew-drenched flowers were wonderfully lush.

My "Jackson Street, Cape May," painted with the same energy and urgency displayed by the pedestrians as they dodged raindrops, is my tribute to the many charms of small-town America. Fondness for American village life runs through my work; I can think of no town that better exemplifies the simple pleasures of the America I love than Cape May."

-Thomas Kinkade

"On the coast of northern California, the Santa Cruz Mountains provide a verdant buffer to the Pacific shore, creating remarkably picturesque settings for such charming coastal towns as "Los Gatos." In the elevated, clear mountain air, the fogs of nearby San Francisco are banished; this is a city blessed by sunshine, a painter's paradise of radiant greens and lavish blossoms.

I've yearned to paint "Los Gatos" since I began visiting this pleasant mountain retreat many years ago. I finally got the chance, setting up my easel near the landmark "Gatos Theater", with a splendid view up Santa Cruz Avenue toward the town's bustling central plaza.

It was a bright Saturday morning; tourists and townsfolk alike indulged in a favorite weekend pass-time - strolling the avenues and gathering at such favored local breakfast spots as Gilley's Coffee Shoppe, where good conversation is accompanied by steaming cups of java.

One of the charms of this comfortable, nostalgic town is the frequent appearance of historic cars on its streets. I've featured a picturesque, vintage Mercedes in this scene; to me, it suggests that the quiet charms of a place like "Los Gatos" hearken back to a more peaceful past. Not many make Los Gatos their home - perhaps through this painting many who live elsewhere can bring the beauty of Los Gatos home with them."

-Thomas Kinkade

" I’m sure that my affection for the simple pleasures of life stems from my memories of growing up in the little town of Placerville, roaming the California foothills with my friends, savoring the freedom and security of my boyhood, dreaming the dreams of childhood and having so many come true.

Now I celebrate my own childhood memories with The Old Fishin’ Hole. Covered bridges like this one were rarities in the Sierra foothills, but it seemed, at least in our boyhood imagining, that big trout gathered in their shadowy depths"

-Thomas Kinkade

"I’ve chosen to re-visit a favourite artistic place in Blessings of Christmas, which takes a fresh look at the charming cottage of “Victorian Garden II” in its evergreen bower, but now in the snowy grip of winter. The warmth of family life lives in this cozy dwelling, accentuated by the shroud of snow that sits so gracefully upon the trees. The cheerful snowman wrapped in his red scarf, holding a straw broom, embodies the spirit of the season."

-Thomas Kinkade.

"Sedona, Arizona has become a kind of spiritual retreat. But underlying its trendy appeal is the timeless majesty of canyon land. Here, God paints with a broad brush, creating monuments to eternity on a scale that dwarfs human ambition.

When I saw the massive Sedona Cliffs, rising jagged, like broken teeth, above the roaring mountain stream, I knew I had to set up my easel right at that spot. There was a special quality to the light, firing the whispy mare-tail clouds, gleaming on the distant cliff, touching the valley trees with gold, dancing on the burbling brook. I know how elusive such light can be. I had to capture the moment before it faded.

Wind scours the canyons, carving the massive spires and mesas even as we watch. As I painted, that desert wind kicked up clouds of dust; some of it mixed with my pigments as I worked. It was exhilarating! I felt that God was, in a sense, painting with me as I laid on my bold brush strokes.

Now, when I enjoy SEDONA CLIFFS at my leisure, I feel that there truly was such a collaboration at work. Indeed, in a sense, that is true of all effective Plein Air paintings, which are collaborations between the artist and the places that inspire him."

-Thomas Kinkade

"When I visited this great port-of-entry for some 22 million immigrants, I was profoundly moved by a new appreciation for the powerful promise of American freedom. The dream of a better life for themselves and their families prompted so many to attempt the perilous voyage. Seasick and heartsick, packed into the holds of overcrowded ships, our parents and grandparents bid farewell to the world they had known and headed bravely into an unknowable future.

For them, Ellis Island, neighboring The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, represented the commencement of that future.

I tried to see the island through the eyes of an immigrant – weary, wary, proud, immensely hopeful. The formidable government buildings must have inspired a mix of hope and fear. For most, they were portals to opportunity, but for some, they were the end of a dream. The massive wooden beams, once anchoring the boats that ferried the hopeful to a new life, still stand in the harbor. What stories they could tell!

As I painted ELLIS ISLAND, it seemed to me that some of those stories of courage and adventure whispered in my ear."

-Thomas Kinkade

"The impulse of faith and a love of beauty seem to go together. That is how I explain that fact that often, in my travels, I’ve paused before a vista of breathtaking loveliness, only to find that a quaint little chapel stands near the spot. It is as if the faithful are gently reminding us that this, too, belongs to God.

When our family visited the tropical paradise of Maui, I knew nothing of Wailea Chapel. But my experience led me to expect that such an exquisite natural setting as this must have in it somewhere a perfect little gem of faith.

I found Wailea Chapel, a charming little whitewashed church with a proud steeple, not more than a block from the blue Pacific, nestled under a stand of palm trees and enveloped in lush tropical flowers. I had to paint it.

My kids pretty well know the drill; while I went off to gather my paints and easel, the girls got into their bathing suits, and Nanette took them down to the lovely sand beach at Wailea. I’m afraid that I provided the tourists with what some considered a quaint spectacle – an artist painting a humble chapel in the midst of spectacular natural scenery. I am so very pleased with WAILEA CHAPEL, a touching testimony to the harmony between nature and faith."

-Thomas Kinkade

"You might think that Nanette would get tired of interrupting our vacation with long pauses while I stop to do one of my Plein Air paintings. But my wife knows me too well for that. She enters enthusiastically into the adventure, sometimes actually choosing my subjects for me.

You might think that Nanette would get tired of interrupting our vacations with long pauses while I stop to do one of my Plein Air paintings. But my wife knows me too well for that. She enters enthusiastically into the adventure, sometimes actually choosing my subjects for me.

When the two of us stumbled on this view of Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, it was Nanette who said, "Oh, Thom, what a wonderful seascape that is. You just have to paint it."

What stretched before us was a wonderful old harbor with a fabulous fleet of fishing boats dancing on the waves. A colorful array of ancient buildings tumbled down the hillside, almost spilling into the blue Mediterranean. The old town merges imperceptibly into the vineyards that flourish on the fertile hills.

-Thomas Kinkade

"I love Carmel. The town looks like it was invented by artists, which, in a sense, it was. Galleries are everywhere! The houses are incredibly picturesque, and when I set up my easel on one of the boulevards, I’m just doing what so many painters do every day.

My family is as fond of Carmel as I am. My girls were with me on the sunny afternoon when I painted TUCK BOX TEA ROOM, CARMEL. It’s a thoroughly charming little spot – with scones and tea cakes that just melt in your mouth. On this particular day, Chandler, I believe it was, said to me, “Daddy, is that the gingerbread house? You know, the one Hansel and Gretel tried to eat?”

Suddenly, I found myself looking at the tea room through her innocent eyes. I could see the quaint little cottage, with its red-and-white peppermint striped awning, cherry flower boxes, quirky windows, inviting door and looked to me as it must have looked to her…good enough to eat.

I suddenly knew that I had to paint TUCK BOX TEA ROOM, CARMEL on the spot, just as I was seeing it that day. I got my paint and canvas, which are never far away, and in just a few hours I had this study, which preserves, I think, the innocence and freshness of a child’s eye view."

-Thomas Kinkade

"In ABUNDANT HARVEST, I have portrayed a classic Napa Valley vineyard estate, complete with stately Victorian house, water tower, weathered windmill, and trailing grapevines. How pleasant to sit in the garden gazebo as the morning sun spills over the horizon and contemplate a slower pace of living.

Even the ubiquitous hot air balloons, now a daily feature in Napa Valley, testify to a pace of living as entrancing as a gentle breeze. Though nostalgic, this scene could actually exist today. My painting represents not a specific location in the valley, but an idealized vision of the timeless beauty and energy of this region. For those of you who have had the chance to visit the fertile Napa Valley, perhaps this painting will be a reminder of the inspiration that engages the heart as you venture down country lanes exploring a quaint historic area. For others, perhaps this painting will inspire us again with an understanding that in all things we should give thanks."

-Thomas Kinkade

"Some months ago, I unveiled a painting entitled THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM which portrayed a dramatic American flag unfurled over the New York City skyline. Old Glory symbolizes, for me, the indomitable American spirit, the passion for freedom, the pride and the abundant blessings that have characterized our nation. The response to the painting was gratifying.

Not only was the piece extremely popular as a symbol of patriotism, but a special charitable edition helped raise $1.5 million for relief efforts sponsored by The Salvation Army. I was also intrigued to discover that many collect ors asked if I could create a reinterpretation of this painting celebrating other American cities."

- Thomas Kinkade

"My Bridges of Inspiration series celebrates what I like to think of as God's divine plan for provision. Each of us, in our daily life, reach obstacles and chasms that can only be bridged by God's miraculous love. In an earlier series, I created a painting entitled BRIDGE OF FAITH. The popularity of this work inspired me to speculate further on the nature of bridges.

A bridge is symbolic to me as an artist, since it suggests a transition point from one area of life to another. Bridges provide safe transport over impassable conditions, and are changeless in the midst of the changing seasons."

-Thomas Kinkade

"Rarely do I narrow my focus to still life, in essence bringing the glory of nature indoors. My challenge in Lilac Bouquet is to convey the sensual experience of the garden in my portrayal of this lavish bouquet. I want my viewers to delight at the delicate contrast of mauves and purples, to sense the rich perfume of lilacs wafting on the breeze, to imagine the buzz of bees hovering about the flowers.Lilac Bouquet extends my celebration of this regal and fragrant shrub; it is, in effect, a companion to Lilac Gazebo."
 
- Thomas Kinkade

"It evokes the mood of rapture we feel at such times. This is a glorious sunset; spray from the breaking waves drenches the air with mist, and a radiant light bathes clouds and swells with its golden glow, until the eye can scarcely tell where sky ends and sea begins. The towering, wispy clouds resemble angels in the searchlight of God's grace; gulls fly up toward the heavenly light."
  
- Thomas Kinkade

"Here is the Plaza Hotel and the great historic buildings of 5th Avenue; here the lavish foliage of Central Park. Looming over all is the magnificent guard of the Empire State Building, which stands as a prideful symbol of the commercial might of this great city.

I've intentionally made this a timeless image of New York, as two-wheeled hansom cabs and classic American automobiles patrol the busy streets."

-Thomas Kinkade.

"Nanette and I have passed some pleasant hours in "love's countries." And my newest painting, "Sweetheart Gazebo" bears eloquent witness to the joy we've found there. For us, a gazebo is a modest palace of love. At once intimate and expansive, private and open, the architecture of this most romantic shelter presents an image of the dual nature of love."
  
- Thomas Kinkade