Thomas Kinkade

Date of Birth: January 19, 1958

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: April 6, 2012

Biography

Thomas Kinkade was an American painter known for his idyllic, light-infused landscapes and seascapes. Born on January 19, 1958, in Sacramento, California, Kinkade grew up in the small town of Placerville, where he developed a love for art at an early age. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, and later the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Kinkade’s career took off in the 1980s when he began selling his works through galleries and publishing houses. His paintings, often described as “charming” and “nostalgic,” captured serene scenes of cottages, gardens, and lighthouses, earning him the title “Painter of Light.” Kinkade’s works became incredibly popular, leading to a vast commercial enterprise that included prints, books, and licensed products. Despite his commercial success, Kinkade faced criticism from the art establishment, which often dismissed his work as overly sentimental and commercial. Nevertheless, he maintained a substantial following among the general public. Kinkade’s personal life was marked by struggles with alcoholism and depression, issues that came to light in the years leading up to his untimely death on April 6, 2012.

5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Kinkade

1. Thomas Kinkade’s art is said to be in one out of every twenty American homes.

2. He co-authored the instructional book “The Artist’s Guide to Sketching” in 1982, which became a bestseller.

3. Kinkade’s works often include hidden symbols and messages, such as the initials of his wife and daughters.

4. He created a foundation called the Thomas Kinkade Foundation to support art education and community programs.

5. Kinkade was a devout Christian, and his faith often influenced the themes and motifs in his paintings.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Kinkade

1. “Art transcends cultural boundaries.”

2. “I share something in common with Norman Rockwell and, for that matter, with Walt Disney: an ability to draw on memory’s thread, to weave images of comfort and hope.”

3. “You should always have a pencil in your hand.”

4. “The concept that an artist would be revered by popular culture is an interesting and important thing to me.”

5. “The worlds I paint are meant to provide a place of refuge, a place of peace, a place of joy.”