Thomas Kinkade Painter Of Beauty

Born in Sacramento California on January 19, 1958 Thomas graduated from High School in 1976 and began to attend University of California Berkeley and the Art Center of Design in Pasadena. Inspired and mentored by the famous Glen Wessels and Charles Bell, Thomas Kinkade continued on his journey and proceeded to travel with his college friend Jim Gurney traveling across the United States and ending there journey in 1980 securing a contract with Guptil publications to create and produce a sketching handbook. In 1982 him and his long time college friend Jim Gurney produced there first sketching handbook which was entitled, "Artist's Guide to Sketching." The success of this book landed both he and Jim Gurney at Ralph Bashki studios creating background art for the 1983 animated movie called, " Fire and Ice". After the animated film Thomas Kinkade began to earn a living as a painter selling original artwork throughout California.

Thomas Kinkade hides the letter "N" in all of his artwork as a tribute to his first love Nannette. He also has included names and images of his four daughters in his paintings and was also influenced by the famous Norman Rockwell, both Thomas Kinkade and Norman Rockwell were inspired by small town America expressing the conservative views of small town America, (as noted from Wikipedia).

A devout Christian Thomas Kinkade's work sends a message of faith, peace. joy, beauty and happiness in the paintings that he creates. Many of his beautiful paintings are depicted and contain many chapter-and-verse- allusions taken directly from Bible passages.

Watching the "Christmas Cottage" not once but twice and also recording ,Thomas Kinkade's life came full circle to us. Being an admirer of his talent and paintings we sat and watched silently as his life story was told along with true events that unfolded not flinching but in awe as his name Thomas Kinkade took on true meaning of who he was, how he grew up and of course a subliminal message about who he married. He and his younger brother Pat had so much love for their mother you could feel the heartbeat of two young boys in the story. Their mom was a very giving woman who resided in the town of Placerville, California Thomas Kinkade had seen the struggles of life as his neighbor Glen told him to 'Paint The Light'. His first drawing was given to his mother at Christmas and he painted the first mural in Placerville en-capturing the people in the town and the beauty of the city. We sat in front of the Television mesmerized by this well written life story about a man and his brother who assisted with saving there mother's home in Placerville, California along with a community who came together as family to help one another in a time of need. If you are a true-lover of Thomas Kinkade art then this Christmas special should be one that explains to you who he is, what his beautiful paintings were inspired by and why he is the person he is today.

If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Placerville, California where the famous Thomas Kinkade was raised you will then be able to en-capture and understand that God has given him a gift to share with others just as Glen Wessels told him , "Paint The Light" he listened to his mentor and God blessed him with the wonderful gift that he now shares with millions, which is the beauty of light that is reflected in each one of his beautiful paintings.

Just like Thomas Kinkade who had mentors and visions of his direction I to believe that I am being lead to do great things. Sharing with others what God has given me and giving back to many has inspired me to keep going through the tough times, there is certainly light at end of the storm. I do not draw or paint but I certainly hope that when I write about my life or what is placed on my heart that others read, believe and listen. I to just like many writers has a dream it is our place to pursue it and continue on our journey until we are fulfilled.

One day I will own one of his originals and will turn that dream into a reality, Thank you Thomas Kinkade for being an inspiration and a light for so many of us who have a dream.

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