|
NEW RELEASES |
STUDIO WORKS |
PLEIN AIR |
ROBERT GIRRARD |
SOLD OUT EDITIONS |
ONLINE GALLERIES |
HOME PAGE |
Sometimes art is born of inspiration and sometimes of destiny. In the case of my epic painting The Cross I felt both.
As part of the redesign of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, I was asked to provide an image for use on a large wall. A very large wall. In fact as I examined the project, I discovered the surface in question was nearly 40 feet wide and almost 20 feet high – truly a moment of destiny for any artist.
To create the oil painting that would be the basis for the final mural, I utilized one of the largest canvases I have ever attempted in my studio. A full 6 feet wide, this canvas would be enlarged to create the final epic sized mural. I conceived the work as an extension of an earlier piece I had created entitled Sunrise. This painting would take that same vision of a rugged cross upon a mountaintop to new levels. The process was thrilling! As I worked it was as if heavenly light began to pour upon the canvas. It seemed that God’s inspiration kept renewing me to the task at hand.
A final aspect of the creative process came when Franklin Graham himself suggested a fitting title for the work: The Cross. This simple title reflects the lifelong calling and legacy of his father, the evangelist Billy Graham.
My prayer is that this painting will bring hope to many just as Billy Graham has brought hope to millions through the gospel message. — Thomas Kinkade
|
When I set myself the goal of creating the twelve epic paintings for the Disney Dreams Collection, I knew it would be a vast undertaking. After all, each painting in the series presents not just a scene from a classic Disney feature, but a vision
of the entire movie in one image – what I like to call a “narrative panorama”. In my Bambi painting, I wanted to present
a broad look at the events of Bambi’s young life, along with the suggestion of his destiny as the newly crowned prince of
the forest.
To suggest the moment of Bambi’s empowerment, I positioned him on a rocky precipice overlooking the terrain of his
kingdom and the four seasons of his first year. Below him is an image of his own self at a younger age, representing the
spring of his life. Surrounding the young Bambi we see the animals of the unspoiled forest – Thumper the rabbit, Flower
the skunk, Mole, Otter, and at the left, Bambi’s first love Faline and her protective mother. These gentle animals are reminders
that even a prince depends on the loving care of friends and family. If you look closely, Bambi’s self-sacrificing mother
can be seen, as though emerging through the mists of memory, as a half hidden image upon the distant mountain. Truly,
a mother’s love, like the spirit of the mighty mountains, will guide a son forever.
The lightning and rains at the left of the composition create a visual transition to the second season of Bambi’s life: summer.
Further back, below the majestic mountain in the distance, we see a suggestion of Bambi’s winter world, a whimsical
season in the movie featuring the playful antics of Bambi and friends in a frozen wonderland.
Bambi’s autumn is the season of his maturity. At the right of my composition we see the fall colors ablaze above the young
adult Bambi, as the wisest and mightiest creature of the forest, the old stag, looks on approvingly through a rising mist
in the afternoon light.
The central theme of Bambi is the cycle of the seasons and the ongoing flow of life. Waterfalls and rivulets abound in
the Bambi movie, suggesting the unstoppable life force, and in my painting we see these cascades just beyond a misty
rainbow. Truly, water flows through the world like life itself – a timeless reminder that despite the passing seasons, nature
thrives and a new generation is born.
I believe Bambi’s First Year is the most breathtaking subject in my Disney Dreams Collection to date. I attempted to
capture the sublime beauty of the forest, combined with the wonderful charm of the forest animals and their playful
everyday activities. I hope as you look at Bambi cresting the ridge of his domain, you too will feel empowered to live your
best life and to count on a season of new beginnings, even when the challenges of life confront you. Truly for Bambi, and
for us, life goes on. — Thomas Kinkade
|
Great thinkers of the past have described God’s creation as an earthly paradise – and nature herself as a reflection of God’s grace and love. I suppose such romantic notions have always inspired me, and certainly have been a foundational
part of my beliefs as an artist. In my newest work, I attempt to conceive of nature as existing in complete harmony in all
its elements. We see rolling mountains that gather rain to fill streams that cascade into valleys forming lakes and ponds.
We see clouds gathering overhead and a rainbow forming in the sky suggesting the passing moisture of distant rainfall.
The skies are filled with migrating birds and wildlife is abundant. Everywhere we look, life is brimming forth with greater
blessings.
In the midst of this perfect setting, I conceived of a perfect retreat: a woodsman‘s cabin, with lights glowing to welcome us home after a day spent fishing on the lake or exploring the woods’ trails.
This is the third painting in the series that began with Mountain Retreat, and as the last piece in the series I wanted to
pull out all the stops and let the detail be even more abundant than ever. As you explore this painting, may you discover
that Nature’s Paradise is waiting to welcome you in. — Thomas Kinkade
|
Soldiers make a profession of traveling to foreign lands and fighting battles for country, honor, and to protect our way of life. But every battle must come to an end and with it the rejoicing of soldiers finally coming home. It’s a glorious and joyous event when the troops return to their families and loved ones.
In this scene, I envision a simple country setting containing all the elements of home that soldiers from every branch of the military have always fought for, regardless of their place in history – security, peace, tranquility, family and community life. This is my tribute to all of the men and women who have ever served in the military – for those who have unselfishly sacrificed everything for this great country.
My inspiration for this image came from Norman Rockwell’s The Homecoming Marine, the most collected cover in the history of the Saturday Evening Post. In this image, the well-worn bus makes its dusty way down the unpaved road. It has been down this same route many times, but never on such a joyous mission. The homecoming soldier is greeted by his family, reminding us that life can once more return to normal. My own father came home triumphantly after his generation’s war. World War II was a time of extaordinary service and yet great rejoicing as the soldiers made their way home to neighborhoods, towns and cities throughout the country.
In today’s world, our hope is that our soldiers will be coming home soon as well, and that their homecoming will be as joyous as the one depicted here in Homecoming Hero. — Thomas Kinkade
|
Walt Disney said it all began with a mouse, and in the newest Disney movie classic you might say it all begins with a frog. The Princess and the Frog has been brought to life with hand-drawn animation techniques, making it the first Disney traditional animation classic in years as well as the first ever to be set in the enchanted city of New Orleans.
In my painting I wanted to suggest the look of traditional animation yet maintain the sense of painterly mood that my work is known for. I lavished detail into the bayou flowers glowing with hidden fireflies, as well as the curving live oak draped with lacey Spanish moss. The characters of the movie swirl about the composition, inviting us to ponder the part each plays in the story.
As the first piece in my “Disney Discoveries Collection”, The Princess and the Frog will no doubt experience an enthusiastic welcome by Disney and Kinkade fans worldwide. At its core, The Princess and the Frog painting, like the movie itself, portrays a romantic love story. And who can resist a love story? — Thomas Kinkade
|
I love the Christmas Eve services and the traditions that go along with them. In our church, it means lighting candles and passing them symbolically from one person to another. As I envisioned this tradition on canvas, I began to imagine that in an ideal world the Christmas Eve service would happen in a country chapel along a snowy wooded lane. The crisp night air is filled with silent snowflakes as a classic one-horse sleigh jingles through the the frosty scene. Footsteps in the snow lead to the chapel door, suggesting that the church is filled with merry worshippers. The chapel is brightly lit against the darkening forest, and a blazing cross atop the log steeple reminds us of the spiritual significance of the season.
I envision this painting as the first in a series of three Christmas Chapels, each taking their inspiration from a classic Christmas carol. My prayer is that this series will give each of us a chance to rekindle the simple joys of the Christmas season. — Thomas Kinkade
|
Cinderella Wishes Upon a Dream, fourth piece in my Disney Dreams Collection, has given me the chance to push the limits of my ability farther than I ever have. Hundreds of hours of detailing were required to capture a setting magical enough for a princess and her charming prince.
On the towering mountain in the distance we see Cinderella’s castle, a vision inspired by the movie. Coming down the castle road we see Cinderella’s horsemen and coach, galloping towards the sleeping village below.
As Cinderella and her prince cross the stone bridge over the lover’s reflecting pool, we pause to enjoy the numerous details that make this scene so inviting. Cinderella’s many friends are here. The whimsical mice with their charming antics can be found dotted around the scene (see how many you can count!). Cinderella’s other tiny helpers, the colorful birds of the kingdom have built a nest in the tree house hidden in the foilage. Flowers grow in abundance, while overhead the stars twinkle radiantly. The entire scene seems aglow with the magical blessing of the Fairy Godmother, who rides atop a splendid rainbow at the top of the painting. The stone statue in the garden at the lower right suggests Cinderella’s years of drudgery, yet the sparkling gown she wears reminds us that dreams really do come true. Lucifer the cat is busy tormenting the playful mice, while the stepmother and stepsisters look upon the sweethearts with amazement and perhaps a hint of joy. The king and his duke, fashioned as weathered chimney pots in my painting, gaze with delight at the goings on. I’ve put tributes to my earlier Disney collection – Snow White, Pinocchio, and even Peter Pan and Tinker Bell can be found by a patient viewer. This is proof positive that for Cinderella’s deepest wishes to come true, she’ll need a little help from her friends! — Thomas Kinkade
|
|
A TRUSTED FRIEND BLUE BELL EDITION |
A TRUSTED FRIEND ROSE BUD EDITION |
 |
 |
|
Every childhood has its special friendships—and though youthful friends may come and go, a favorite doll or stuffed bear can become a lifelong companion. Even my oldest daughter, who recently passed the threshold into adulthood, still
treasures several reminders of her happy childhood. These are so much more than just toys-they represent a moment in our life as a family. My painting A Trusted Friend celebrates the imagination of childhood which can make even an inanimate object come to life with love. This is my first ever teddy bear painting, and as I worked on it I was reminded of the passion displayed by teddy bear collectors worldwide. In fact, on a recent visit to Pennsylvania, I had a chance to meet many of the “bear people” as part of the launch of my new Thomas Kinkade Teddy Bear Collection. The millions of teddy bear collectors worldwide remind us that even for adults a teddy bear can be A Trusted Friend, and perhaps my painting will be a daily reminder of this happy fact. On the shelf in my painting sit the reminders of a joyous childhood--well-worn reading books, colorful alphabet blocks (the letters in the stack of blocks denote the first initials of my children’s names), and a well loved teddy bear. I even added a special touch: you can have your choice of a pink ribbon for girl bears or a blue one for boy bears. That way, your very own “trusted friend” can be even more personal to you! — Thomas Kinkade |
As the third piece in my Disney Dreams Collection, Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland promises to be my most exciting work yet! The Peter Pan story presents the wondrous fantasies of youth: secret island hideaways, visions of mermaids and pirates, and the irresistible urge to fly high above the world. I am powerfully aware of the tug of youthful dreams – one might even say that as an artist I strive to stay constantly connected with the wide-eyed wonder of childhood. |
To create a vision of the Las Vegas skyline, all I needed to do was take a plane ride. As I was swooping into Las Vegas during a recent road trip, I instructed the pilot of the small plane we were aboard to take an extra pass just above the Las Vegas strip. The sun was setting and the light was perfect. The view that lay spread before me became my painting Viva Las Vegas. |
Savannah, Georgia has always been a city for romantics. There is no place quite like the Old South for exquisite natural beauty gracefully intertwined with rich history and charming architecture. And no place exemplifies the Old South quite like Savannah. |
One hundred years have passed since the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened its track in 1909. I can well remember the annual ritual of watching this famous race as a boy, watching this famous race on the Wide World of Sports became
an annual ritual. The names from the sport are legendary: A. J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears and
countless others. Little did I realize that many years later I would have the chance to meet these legends of racing and to
commemorate the cathedral of speed where they became famous.
To create my tribute painting as the official artist for the Centennial Era of this famous speedway, I was allowed to take my sketching materials right onto the grounds of the track. I even got to set up and work at the famous brickyard starting line! As I worked, I envisioned a crowd of cheering spectators from each of the generations that have embraced the track as an American icon. I even envisioned including famous cars from the golden age of racing in my painting. The finished work required
countless studio hours, and an immense amount of final detailing. I hope you will join me in saluting the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway as it celebrates 100 years of Indy Excitement.
— Thomas Kinkade
|
My Disney Dreams Collection celebrates great moments from Walt Disney films. I call these paintings “narrative panoramas” because each painting tells the entire story of the film in one image.
For my painting Pinocchio Wishes Upon a Star we see Pinocchio upon a hillside overlooking the setting of his adventures. In the foreground we see Honest John, the symbol of temptation, and in the mid-distance we
see Geppetto’s workshop where Pinocchio was formed. We see Stromboli’s puppet stage with the maestro
himself holding court, and the seaport village in the distant where Pinocchio first learned of Pleasure Island.
To the right we see Pleasure Island, aglow with the festivities of another day’s merriment and Monstro the
whale preparing to engulf Geppetto’s sailing vessel. Butterflies and sparkles lend magical accents as the
Blue Fairy and Jiminy Cricket look on.
My prayer is that my Disney Dreams will make dreams come true for all who see these enchanted paintings.
— Thomas Kinkade
|
As you may know, my heart resides in the City by the Bay. San Francisco, Powell Street marks the 19th release in my San Francisco collection, yet this wonderful town continues to provide breathless
panoramas even for a seasoned visitor.
Perhaps that’s because San Francisco is such a lived-in city. Wherever you look you find dynamic street life — vendors, neighbors, shoppers, and the ever present cable car.
San Francisco, Powell Street gives me an opportunity to return to the hilltop I first painted in my tremendously popular San Francisco, A View Down California Street from Nob Hill, but looking in a
different direction. I’ve taken artistic license to move the wonderful Bay Bridge slightly south to provide a
full view – after all, what would the “City by the Bay” be without a bridge in the distance. In the
middleground we see the Sir Francis Drake Hotel with its famous Starlite Roof, adorned by its landmark
spinning star atop the stately main tower.
— Thomas Kinkade
|
My family heralds from Ireland and I’ve long had a romantic attachment to the Emerald Isle.
In Emerald Valley I paint an ideal vision of the “auld sod” that I like to believe could still be found, if you knew where to look. God’s heavenly light pours from the skies, illuminating a landscape so verdantly green that it suggests the bounty of nature unspoiled. It seems in Ireland storms are eternally either passing by or roaring in.
In Emerald Valley I create a village scene that suggests a timeless way of life. Here dirt farmers haul a freshly harvested load of hay for the livestock; here grannies take over the child rearing, while mothers tend
to the domestic chores essential for survival in the rugged terrain.
Rocks are ripped from the earth to build roads and fences, the stone bridge heralds this rustic heritage. Waterways fill the valleys, making for a play of light between lakes and sky.
— Thomas Kinkade
|
When as a young man I first explored Elvis Presley’s fabled estate, I was surprised to discover that Graceland is at once grand and surprisingly intimate. Elvis seemed to be an ordinary person with the same hopes and
aspirations of anyone else.
That is the spirit of Graceland Christmas, my second portrayal of the famous Graceland mansion. Here we see Elvis gathering presents in his role as family Santa. As he unloads gifts from the famous pink Cadillac, we are captivated by the twinkling tree lights that suggest the magic of the season. Colorful Christmas trees
line the drive and the amber sunset suggests a frosty evening ahead. The glow from the porch and windows
reminds us that all families, even that of the King of Rock’n Roll, will join joyously tonight to celebrate the
season. I hope Graceland Christmas will be part of your Christmas celebration for many years to come.
— Thomas Kinkade
|
Years ago, a fifty cent purchase changed my life. As a seven year old boy I purchased a matinee ticket and stared in wide-eyed wonder at the magical world of Walt Disney’s classic film “Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs.” I was especially charmed with the whimsical woodland cottage that housed the seven dwarfs — it
was as though my fascination with cottages suddenly was awakened! It wasn’t until I traveled to England
and the rest of Europe in my early twenties that I discovered that such dwellings actually exist in the real
world. For me, the charms of the old world are akin to the fairy tale magic I first discovered in the early Disney features. |
Far beyond America’s great cities, beyond the suburbs and the super highways, the majesty of America’s verdant
countryside is still alive and well. In the country, wildflowers grow in profusion. To me, these bluebonnets, scotch
broom and wild poppies symbolize the abundant blessings of Country Living; these are the tangible pleasures
that surround you day in and day out where the air is pure and the sun is bright. This scene might be found any
place where the hills and valleys are alive with nature’s harmony — the Texas hill country, the Smoky Mountains,
the rolling Cascades, or even my native Sierra foothills. |
The race is off! Fireworks burst on the horizon as countless spectators roar and overhead six Thunderbirds tear through the dancing clouds. In the foreground, 43 mighty race cars thunder by as "The King" himself, Richard Petty, waves the green flag for the start of the 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500®. As I stand at my trackside easel, painting furiously, the electricity and spectacle of the moment is almost overwhelming. |
In my Life Values Collection, I explore the connections between the divinely inspired values that sustain the good life. |
As a classic medium, painting has given me the chance to celebrate classics of American culture. I’ve painted the fabled mansion of Elvis Presley, the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyline of San Francisco. I’ve even
set up my easel in theme parks and palaces of American sports in my search to commemorate bits of history.
Boston’s Fenway Park™ is an example of history in the making — it is one of the ultimate shrines of baseball. |
As a “mountain kid,” who grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, I have a special fondness for the
quality of mountain living – its simplicity, self-reliance, sense of union with nature, and gratitude for God’s gifts. |
Key West has long attracted literary luminaries and world figures. Like many visitors, I was attracted by
its small town charm and vividly colored tropical vistas. |
"When you see only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you." |
Two of the dream-memories we take from childhood on our life’s journey, if we are fortunate, are the wonder and excitement of Disney World and the soaring majesty of castles. |
I’ve painted many homes, but never before have I set up my easel before the Queen of American homes, the famous
Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina — the nation’s largest and most regal residence. |
Christmas is the season when I wrap myself in warm memories. I remember the enchanting times we had hanging ornaments when my kids were young and my own delight at the colors of Christmas lights. I like to imagine that I can remember the warmth of Victorian Christmases, as well. |
No one ever forgets their first visit to Yankee Stadium - I certainly remember mine. The color, the noise, and the nearness of history ... the spectacle takes your breath away. |
(Evening on the Avenue)
The very word “avenue” awakens memories… of the lively, flourishing main streets of turn-of-the-century America. Families strolled America’s avenues then, to conduct their business and to carry on their social life. Churches and brightly lit shops adorned the thoroughfares; pedestrians shared the busy streets with horseless carriages and horse-drawn trolleys and all felt safe. |
I am intrigued by the manners, the art, the architecture of Victorian England, perhaps because, like the Victorians, I believe that real life can be like a fairy-tale. |
50th ANNIVERSARY
Elvis Presley® created rock and roll and changed music forever. Graceland was his refuge from the demands of his fame. |
|
|
I am intrigued by the manners, the art, the architecture of Victorian England, perhaps because, like the Victorians, I believe that real life can be like a fairy-tale. |
I’ve often heard it said that with age comes the wisdom to welcome those things you cannot change with a serene acceptance. To me, parenthood offers a wonderful opportunity to learn the lesson of inner serenity. Naturally, I’ve loved my four beautiful daughters since they were babies; enjoyed immensely my role as protective dad. But now they are growing toward independence; my oldest girl, Merritt, has just gone off to college. I’ve learned to accept their inevitable voyage toward maturity, and to greet their accomplishments and even their occasional difficult personal lessons with pride. |
I believe that each of us carries the gift of God’s inner peace in our hearts. And yet, my newest work, A Prayer for Peace, is a poignant reminder that peace in our world is always possible for those who believe and pray. |
The Bridge of Hope is as stable as the massive granite flagstones that form its arch and will stand for as long as the quicksilver brook rolls down from the hills beneath it. A magnificent white dogwood, symbol of the purity of God's grace, shades the bridge. Its over-arching boughs remind us that, while we stand on the Bridge of Hope, we are enshrouded by the loving embrace of our creator. — Thomas Kinkade |
Nothing restores the spirit quite like a breathtaking mountain vista. It just doesn't get much better than it is for this fisherman in Almost Heaven. I love to fish, not so much for the strike or the catch, but simply because fishing gives me license to get out into nature. — Thomas Kinkade |
"There is something supremely satisfying about a life that is self-contained, complete unto itself." |
Of all the holiday rituals, the one I prize the most is the coming together of loved ones in shared celebration. Even if our family circle is small, the Christmas season can become a benchmark of friendship; a time when we pause to savor traditions of comfort and joy. — Thomas Kinkade |
Summer is the season of color. The full range of nature's rainbow hues are on display in this floral paradise. In Beyond Summer Gate I've compressed the season, allowing the early-flowering dogwood and the late blooming azalea to display their brilliant blossoms together. The tranquility of evening has settled on this country manor, inviting us to stroll the grounds before we settle in for some tea and talk. I hope you will join me. — Thomas Kinkade |
I've chosen to re-visit a favorite artistic place in Blessings of Christmas, which takes a fresh look at the charming cottage of "Home Is Where The Heart Is II" in its evergreen bower, but now in the snowy grip of winter. Somehow, the warmth of family life lived in this cozy dwelling is accentuated by the shroud of snow that that sits so gracefully on the trees. The cheerful snowman wrapped in his red scarf and wielding a straw broom, embodies the very spirit of the season. — Thomas Kinkade |
For me the romance of San Francisco begins at Fisherman's Wharf. The Golden Gate Bridge stands as a welcoming sentinel, while the sunset bathes the fog shrouded air and glistens on the moist pavement. |
Ten years ago I painted Carmel, Ocean Avenue on a Rainy Afternoon, and from the day I finished it, I dreamed of working on a second view of the famous scene. — Thomas Kinkade |
Silver and Gold is the first still life I've ever shared with my collectors. This exquisite assemblage of golden blooms in an elegant silver vase gives me the sense of exuberant repose that I get from my most satisfying landscapes. In fact, I treat this still life as a landscape in miniature. — Thomas Kinkade |
Clocktower Cottage is a meditation on the nature of time. Two events inspired the painting: the birth of a friend's baby, followed by a visit to a dear old man, who calmly told me we would probably not meet again in this life. I was struck by how, from first breath to last we are enmeshed in the mystery of time. — Thomas Kinkade |
Boulevard Lights, Paris is not only the first release in Thom's exciting new City Impressions series but also the first release of his new Studio Impressions collection. For Thom, this new collection is an expression of his passion for color and the way natural light affects the subject. — Thomas Kinkade |
Cobblestone Mill is a symbol of the natural abundance. The mill wheel will turn for as long as the stream that powers it will flow, grinding the flour that sustains a simple, satisfying village life. The mill stands alone, yet it is enlivened by a dazzling play of light and shade that falls on it from the flowering woods that embrace its solitude. Its dignity is enhanced by the dance of color that so delights the eye. Beauty - and all else that is good - is a gift of light, bestowed by the sun, which also grows the grain that will be ground in this millstone. |
The soldier is alone ... as he is never alone in battle. |
This is the chapel where we commemorate the landmarks that fill our life: the celebration of marriage, the birth of a child, the commemoration of an anniversary, and even the passing of a loved one. My hope is that my Hometown Chapel will be a part of each of these landmarks, shared with others as a gift. — Thomas Kinkade |
As America approaches the anniversary of our greatest challenge, I feel especially blessed to be a citizen of this fair land. We have overcome every adversity and obstacle that has attempted to erode the freedom and security we cherish. |
Like the great American realist Winslow Homer, I have a passion for fishing. My best "catches" are often the superb vistas I discover on fishing trips. It Doesn't Get Much Better makes the point. When you stumble on a breathtaking fishing hole like this on a mist-drenched morning, it hardly matters whether they're biting or not. When, as in my very hopeful canvas, the stately fisherman, properly outfitted in full waders, hooks onto a feisty rainbow trout, it truly doesn't get much better than this. Even Winslow Homer would have agreed with that sentiment. — Thomas Kinkade |
What constitutes "the good life?" That may seem a question for a philosopher, but I believe that artists can present their own answers. Indeed it may be that the good life is as apparent to the eye as it is to the mind or heart. To see it is to know it. — Thomas Kinkade |
In Lamplight Manor the brooke Windemer takes us to a rustic treasure hidden away in England's quaint Cotswolds - a magnificent manor house. How I would enjoy a private tour of house and grounds: the sweeping spiral staircases, the luxurious tapestries, and the dignified library. As the scripture from the Gospel of John suggests, such tasteful opulence has a place in the house of our Lord. Here we can anticipate the glory that awaits the children of God in heaven. — Thomas Kinkade |
As the father of four daughters, I know that nothing is more precious than the dreams of young girls. My girls - like yours - wish for many things: from a new doll or dress to a soccer goal. But most of all they dream of love and of the soul mate in whose eyes love will be reflected. |
When humankind was young, we lived in a garden paradise.
I believe that to be literally true; it is also experientially true for the fortunate among us. When we were children, we lived in a protected sanctuary, under the loving care of our parents. The world was new to our experience, and filled with wonder and mystery. The light had a special radiance...the flowers were treasures of color and scent...butterfly was a small miracle. And then they grew up. |
It may be that all of us carry in our souls a memory of Eden, the glorious garden where we came to know our Creator. That could account for the attraction I've long felt for gardens—resplendent in riotous colors and tranquil in their shadowy private spaces. Nanette and I take advantage of the romance of gardens to enrich our love. We've sought out their sheltered nooks to meet and talk and dream and remember. — Thomas Kinkade |
This is a golden evening; the warm glow of sunset banishes the mist and paints the busy street with its cheerful light. The exuberance of city life is everywhere evident. On Lombard Street, on an evening such as this, life is a gala celebration of the endless possibilities of city life. I invite you to celebrate with me. — Thomas Kinkade |
In the most important ways, my life has been a progress. I have been blessed to see my love of painting grow and flourish, my relations with family and friends deepen and mature. —Thomas Kinkade |
The cooling, tranquil feeling of resting beside still waters... what trouble or pain could not be hushed by such moments? And yet, in the rushing of our lives, each of us at times seem to prefer the raging torrents to the quiet brook — why else wouldn't we seek daily those waters that are still? Stillwater Bridge is an attempt to reflect waters that are still and inviting. I hope you can linger a moment or two. — Thomas Kinkade |
The stone walls of the chapel seem to grow out of the earth itself, while the pristine waters of the stream cascade in the distance. Deer, birds, rabbits, even a frog gather in humble and silent witness to the unity and harmony of the creation. And over all, the glorious vault of the heavens unfolds another glistening morning. — Thomas Kinkade |
As we approach the year 2000, I feel compelled as an artist to celebrate not the passing of the old millennium but the beginning of the new millennium.To me the new millennium represents a pivotal point in human-history—a chance to change the world for the better. — Thomas Kinkade |
Like Norman Rockwell's famed "Four Freedoms," my Symbols of Freedom celebrates foundational American values. The Department of Agriculture tower at the left symbolizes the Freedom from Want. The national Christmas tree expresses the pageantry of the holidays, its glowing lights affirming the hope that burns in every heart through our individual Freedom of Religion. The severe obelisk of the Washington Monument represents for me the founding of our republic which provided Freedom from Fear by placing government on the side of the people. Finally, the cupola of the Jefferson memorial symbolizes our founding father's steadfast commitment to Free Speech. Illuminating these powerful symbols and touching the modest crowd is the glorious light of God's golden sunset. — Thomas Kinkade |
For my painting The Light of Freedom, I turned once again to my faith in God, my love for my fellow man, and my pride in America and what we stand for. The billowy clouds in the heavens remind us that despite our challenges, God surely has shed His grace on this land. Now is the time when each of us must summon our courage and strength so that, the Light of Freedom will forever illuminate this glorious country. God bless America. — Thomas Kinkade |
Before we ever began to build temples in His honor, God graced us with natural sanctuaries radiant with the light of divine love and peace. In the crowded and busy world in which most of us must live, there is little enough time to seek out the secluded treasures that give testimony to a divine presence in the world. As my Chapels of Nature collection unfolds, we will seek the presence of God in His lakes, forests, hills, and valleys. — Thomas Kinkade |
Now I celebrate my own very personal childhood memories with The Ole Fishin' Hole. As the first in a new series, this is a historic and much anticipated issue. But the reception I anticipate for The Ole Fishin' Hole stems from something more basic than that. This idyllic image of childhood reminds us of the simple pleasures of a summer day. |
How true it is that we often sail to distant shores seeking that which lies hidden in our own heart, our own home. The Sea of Tranquility is not a place; it is all places, for it is buried deep within all people. I picture this inner sanctuary as a golden ocean of light both warming and refreshing - a place I like to call The Sea of Tranquility. Won't you join me for a sail? — Thomas Kinkade |
The Village Lighthouse portrays a village nestled into a rocky shore that I discovered on a seaside stroll in England. The stalwart cottages are built of the same granite that rises in cliffs from the sea. A radiant glow bathes the village, touching the magnificent flowering dogwood and lavish stands of foxgloves and impatiens with light, just as it illuminates the waves that dance over the ocean. Wisps of spray rise from the waves while plumes of smoke ascend from the chimneys. Land and sea, man and nature are in perfect harmony here. — Thomas Kinkade |
You made this ancient stone bridge an artistic monument that I must revisit. When I issued Cobblestone Bridge some years ago, this celebration of life in the Hampshire region of England quickly became the best loved of all my village scenes. |
The moral order of God's universe is like an exquisite tapestry; the foundational values of the good life interweave in a seamless whole. |
Nestled among the glass and steel giants of Chicago's Michigan Avenue, surrounded by some of the world's premier shopping and dining establishments, the "Water Tower" looms like a nostalgic monument from an ancient age. And, indeed, the limestone and concrete tower, built in 1869 to resemble a Gothic castle from a much more distant time, is one of the very few standing survivors of the great Chicago fire. The dynamic city has a past, and the nation's first American Water Landmark, stands as the most visible symbol of its historic legacy. |
The impulse to worship is not confined within the vaulted ceiling and colored windows of a church. There are places where the bounty of God's creation shines forth with such radiance that the humble heart is moved to express its gratitude in prayer. And in some of those natural shrines, mankind has seen fit to build to provide the worshiper with a modest chapel where we can satisfy our need to pray. |
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound ..."
How sweet, too, are the sights that await us in the Garden of Grace. And the scents. When I ponder the meaning of grace - of God's abundant love, that washes us clean - I search for sensory equivalents to the rapturous experience that the faithful are privileged to know. I think of a melodious harmony of bird song, of the heady perfume of flowers wafted on the breeze. Above all, I imagine a glorious light that pours through the foliage, clothing the trees and shrubs in its resplendent radiance. |
I believe that each of us carries an image of the good life in a private place very near to our hearts. Because I am a painter, I visualize The Good Life in terms of a scene that embodies the virtues and values that are most precious to me. |
RAINBOW ROW
Over the years, my wife and family have joined me on many voyages of discovery to places all over the world. As an artist, I find exploration an essential part of creativity. One of our recurring discoveries is Charleston, South Carolina, where the heart of the Old South beats with a special vigor. |
I've long imagined that I knew in just what kind of house the not-so-silent Night Before Christmas celebrated in Clement Moore's unforgettable poem must have taken place. It would have been a stately white-framed Victorian mansion with porticoed porch, gable roof, and massive stone chimney. I see it bathed in the light of good fellowship, with tidy green shutters and a white picket fence. |
|
NEW RELEASES |
STUDIO WORKS |
PLEIN AIR |
ROBERT GIRRARD |
SOLD OUT EDITIONS |
ONLINE GALLERIES |
HOME PAGE |
 |