Thomas Kinkade - Artist of Light and Faith
Thomas Kinkade - Artist of Light and Faith
By Scott Harker
Who is Thomas Kinkade?
Today, Thomas Kinkade is America's most collected living artist. He is a painter-communicator whose tranquil, light infused paintings bring hope and joy to millions every year. Each painting Thomas Kinkade creates is a quiet messenger in the home, affirming the basic values of family, faith in God, and the luminous beauty of nature. He is a painter of light and his works have been turned into all kinds of collectible objects.
Thomas Kinkade is thought to be one of the most famous Christian artists of our time. And yet, paradoxically, most of his Christian art - his paintings - are not readily identified as Christian art in the traditional style. He does not paint typical Bible scenes. Instead it is THE LIGHT the flows from his houses and brightens his gardens that displays his Faith.
As the foremost living painter of light, Thomas Kinkade's complex technique bears great kinship to a little known group of nineteenth century American painters known as the Luminists. This group of painters worked during 1850s - 1870s. Their paintings were characterized by effects of light in landscapes brought about through the use of aerial perspective, and by concealing visible brushstrokes. Luminist landscapes emphasize tranquility, and often depicted calm, reflective water and a soft, hazy sky...
Kinkade has said that, "Like the Luminists, I strive for three visual aspects in my work: soft edges, a warm palette and an overall sense of light." Kinkade's mastery of these three seemingly simple aspects gives his paintings the warm glow and idyllic softness for which he is known. This is often referred to as the special "Kinkade Glow" which radiate from his paintings.
The second child of Bill and Mary Anne Kinkade, William Thomas Kinkade III was born in Sacramento, California, on Jan.19, 1958. He grew up in Placerville, California raised mostly by his mother.
From an early age, his talent as an artist was evident, and by 16 he was an accomplished painter. He studied at the University of California at Berkeley, and later at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Upon leaving college, he began work painting for the motion picture industry at age 22. This time included an important apprenticeship at Walt Disney Studios where he learned much about landscape and background painting. By 1983, he was ready to pursue his own vision as a painter of light-filled landscapes.
Out of this vision has come numerous paintings, hand signed lithographs, canvas prints, books, posters, calendars, magazine covers, cards, collector plates, figurines, villages, electric trains, heirloom quality clocks and many gift items. In fact, one out of every 30 Americans own some type of Thomas Kinkade artwork or collectible!
Beyond being a painter, Kinkade is a very smart businessman. What other artist is able to sell his works in shopping malls gallariies across the country? His ability to both create stunning artwork and then turn that art into collectible merchandise is amazing. Still as a devout Christian, and family man, Kinkade readily acknowledges God's hand in his life and is well aware of his many blessings. He includes a Bible reference John 3:16 on every painting and a fish (ichthus -a Christian symbol) with his signature.
Kinkade married his childhood sweetheart, Nanette Willey on May 2, 1982. Together they now have four daughters. Collecter's have noted that Thomas Kinkade hides "N's" in his paintings as a tribute to Nanette, while his daughters often find their images and names in his works as well.
Kinkade has painted many lighthouses, cottages, gardens, even some baseball stadiums, but many of his admirers know him foremost from his Christmas artwork. Adding a new Kinkade Christmas ornament or plate has become an annual tradition for many families.
So who is Thomas Kinkade? He is an artist who paints not just with his hands, nor with his imagination: He paints with his heart. And any collector of his art is blessed with the beauty and light that his heart reveals.
About the author: Scott Harker is the publisher of Pin-up-artists.com and Carl Barks, The Duckman
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