Thomas Kinkade, 'Painter of Light,' dies at 54

Wow, how sad.. I really admired his art..




SAN FRANCISCO — Artist Thomas Kinkade, whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches have been big sellers for dealers across the United States, died Friday, a family spokesman said.

Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the San Francisco Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.

Kinkade’s sentimental paintings, with their scenes of country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment. He claimed to be the nation’s most collected living artist, and his paintings and spin-off products were said to fetch some $100 million a year in sales, and to be in 10 million homes in the United States.

Kinkade made multiple appearances in the midstate and spoke to crowds at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. Kathie's Christmas & Collectibles in Lower Allen Twp. has a Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery.

Kinkade's paintings generally depict tranquil scenes with lush landscaping and streams running nearby. Many contain images from Bible passages.

“I’m a warrior for light,” Kinkade, a self-described devout Christian, told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, in reference to the medieval practice of using light to symbolize the divine. “With whatever talent and resources I have, I’m trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel.”

Before Kinkade’s Media Arts Group went private in the middle of the past decade, the company took in $32 million per quarter from 4,500 dealers across the country 10 years ago, according to the Mercury News. The cost of his paintings range from hundreds of dollars to more than $10,000.

A biography on his website states that Kinkade rejected “the intellectual isolation of the artist” and instead, made “each of his works an intimate statement that resonates in the personal lives of his viewers.”

“I share something in common with Norman Rockwell and, for that matter, with Walt Disney,” he said. “In that I really like to make people happy.”

Kinkade was born and raised in Placerville, Calif. He studied at the University of California at Berkeley and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

“Thom provided a wonderful life for his family,” his wife, Nanette, said in a statement. “We are shocked and saddened by his death.”

That's very sad. I saw that on Facebook earlier today.

A real shocker.

How sad.

How sad. He was a gifted artist. May he Rest In Eternal Peace. My deepest sympathies to his family.

very saad

I was shocked when I read it a few moments ago. I loved his work.

What? That's my mom's favorite painter. She has the wall calendar on the side of the fridge.

I love his paintings too.


RIP Thomas Kinkade.

I can't even believe it. I always wanted one of his paintings. So very sad....way too young. His paintings are going to go WAY up in price now. :( Ironically, Lisa just bought a large Thomas Kinkaide library edition print for her mom last week at an antique store!


What a loss.

What a legacy he leaves. The movie "The Christmas Cottage" tells his families story. Its a wonderful movie if you don't have it. Fifty-four is way too young.

I agree,way to young to die. He did have lots of pretty stuff.

Lisa is lucky to have gotten one.

I saw that on Twitter. I was shocked....

Amy wrote:

I can't even believe it. I always wanted one of his paintings. So very sad....way too young. His paintings are going to go WAY up in price now. :( Ironically, Lisa just bought a large Thomas Kinkaide library edition print for her mom last week at an antique store!


What a loss.

I was so shocked when I read about it - I feel so bad for his family. It's hard to lose someone so close to a holiday. Although, Easter really is a wonderful reminder that they aren't saying a final goodbye to him - that they'll see him again. And the painting I bought was the next thing that came to my mind. I'm glad that I was able to get it for Mom.

Fifty-four is just so young.

MissYoungClassic wrote:

I saw that on Twitter. I was shocked....

Are you on Twitter?

I was Very Shocked when i heard it Its just to young i love his Paintings i always wanted one but as Amy said the prices will go up now i also loved his books

alexczarn wrote:

MissYoungClassic wrote:

I saw that on Twitter. I was shocked....

Are you on Twitter?

Yes, and Tumblr.

Lisa wrote:

[color=darkblue]I was so shocked when I read about it - I feel so bad for his family. It's hard to lose someone so close to a holiday. Although, Easter really is a wonderful reminder that they aren't saying a final goodbye to him - that they'll see him again.

Very true....it is the holiday of hope, and hopefully that can be a comfort right now.

JW wrote:

I was Very Shocked when i heard it Its just to young i love his Paintings i always wanted one but as Amy said the prices will go up now i also loved his books

I have one of his picture books, that show a lot of his paintings. A beautiful 'coffee table' book. And yes, I think I can only hope to have a print at this point....I remember way back when, my hubby & I stood in a gallery and came close to buying a canvas. Now I kinda wish we'd just done it. But yeah, even the prints are going high right now---I was checking ebay out last night, just to see. Lisa found hers for only $35....WHAT a deal!

I found one of these in my local Thrift Store the other day it was only 50 cent so i snatched it up it has no real Value But i think it might be as close as i ever get to own a Painting or a Print of His

Heard today that Thomas Kinkade died of an overdose......It was a mix of alcohol and prescription drugs....what a shame!

That is taking too many of our talented. It has got to stop!

Gin wrote:

That is taking too many of our talented. It has got to stop!

And youth!

That us So Sad

Wow, that is sad