Thomas Kinkade was born on 19th of January in 1958 in Placerville, California. By the age of four, it was clear that he would become an artist. „I was always the kid who could draw.” – he remembers – „I had this talent, and it was the one thing that gave me some kind of dignity in the midst of my personal environment.” He became an excellent painter aged 16, during the apprenticeship at the known artist, Glen Wessels.
He attended University of Berkley, then Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. In 1980, after graduating, he travelled to New York with his friend, while they made sketches at every station of the trip. They visited with these the publisher Waton Guptill, who published the sketching handbook in 1982.
The success of the book led them both to Ralph Bakshi Studios where they created background art for the animated feature film Fire and Ice (1983). Kinkade soon began to explore the depiction of light. Probably this intensive work with films was the base of his master depicting of light. He got the nickname Painter of Light during this time. After the film, he earned his living as a painter, selling his originals in galleries throughout California.
Recurring features of Kinkade’s paintings are their glowing highlights and pastel colors. His works often portray bucolic and idyllic settings such as stone cottages, main streets and streams. He painted mainly his hometown’s streets and the surroundings. His pictures were called kitschy many times, but he didn’t mind it. He was criticized because he sold his works in reprint also. He is one of the most popular painters in China and Thailand, fakes are frequent there. Interesting information: mostly his winter landscapes can be chosen on the largest electronic postcard sending portals in Christmas category.
He received many awards for his works. He was inducted into the California Tourism Hall of Fame in 2002. He was selected to commemorate the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and he was also honored for his contributions to improving the welfare of children. He was selected two times to paint the National Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. He was the most awarded artist in the past 25 years in 2004. In 2005, he was named the Graphic Artist of the Year.
More books and movies were made about his life. He died at his home on 6th of April in 2012. He is buried in Saratoga.
Since all of his works are very colorful and almost burn because of the painted light, they have to be placed in an interior with an eye of a professional. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.