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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
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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
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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
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On a recent return trip to Paris, I had the opportunity to discover the visual joys of this city anew. I have experienced Paris during each season and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite, though Paris in winter is particularly luminous. There is a tremendous sense of expectation in Paris as the glowing lights of boulevard cafes contrast brilliantly with the subtle paletteof long winter nights. Snow falls rarely in the “City of Light”, and when it does, excitement seems to build as the snow accumulates. In my mind’s eye I like to turn back the clock to a simpler era and picture the wonderful costumes and festive life of the Impressionist era.
As a young artist exploring my style, I attempted to find inspiration from the French Impressionist viewpoint. I even created a brush name, “Robert Girrard”, that allowed me to create paintings with the carefree abandon of Monet, Renoir, and the other grand masters of the Impressionist style. My passion for Paris and my zeal for color and atmosphere are vibrantly expressed in my painting Evening on the Seine. It is a loving tribute to the timeless city that made the Impressionists famous. — Thomas Kinkade
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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
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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
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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
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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 viillage 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
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A TRUSTED FRIEND BLUE BELL EDITION |
A TRUSTED FRIEND ROSE BUD EDITION |
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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For many years, my wife Nanette and I longed to visit that most festive of cities – New York – during the
Christmas season. A few years ago we realized that dream, and now a trip to New York has become a
Kinkade family Christmas tradition.
Christmas in New York brings us to Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the nation’s most famous
Christmas tree. This painting follows others depicting beloved trees, including the White House tree I’ve
presented to two presidents.
Rockefeller Center, an assemblage of fourteen Art Deco buildings erected by the famous oil family in the
1930s to celebrate American commerce, becomes a glorious spectacle during the holidays. Colorful
skaters glide and spin under the massive, gilded statue of Prometheus.
Christmas in New York celebrates both the tree and also holidays in that great city.
— Thomas Kinkade
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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. |
Summer Breeze is a daydream from heaven; more than that, it is a dream of a perfect day. Puffy white clouds dance in the heavens, while white sails shimmer off azure waters. The joyful tranquility of the scene refreshes the soul. |
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. |
Monterey’s famed Cannery Row is undergoing a renaissance. No longer the bustling sardine fishing center immortalized by John Steinbeck; it entices visitors today with its many fine shops and boutiques, including a Thomas Kinkade Gallery. |
An artist strives for the ability to see familiar places as if for the first time. |
"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. |
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I began my career creating art for an animated feature film, and it has been a life-long dream to tell some of the story of my own life — the story behind my art — through the medium of motion pictures. |
(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. |
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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. |
On a recent trip to New York with my family, we got the chance to boat on the East River, enjoying seldom-seen views of the city. As I savored the sights, I began to sense the pulsing rhythm of this great metropolis. It dawned on me: The Spirit of New York is a mix of courage, resolve, and an indomitable sense of celebrating life in all its diversity. As I gazed up at the mighty Brooklyn Bridge I realized that this vast panoramic view of the city is alive with the energy and vitality that make New York unique in all of the world. What image could better summarize
The Spirit of New York in all its radiant energy? |
As I look back over my development as an artist, I come to realize how important the trip Nanette and I and our two oldest girls made to the English Cotswolds early in our marriage really was to my self-discovery. |
A full moon on Christmas Eve is so very romantic; especially when the surprising radiance of moonlight reflects silver on a snow-filled landscape. In Christmas Moonlight, a brilliant full moon dances on the wispy clouds, paints a silver pathway over the pond, touches the snowy tree limbs with light, illuminates the walk and bridge with a welcoming glow, and bathes the roof of our solid stone retreat in a warm, milky white. |
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. |
“Thy mercies are new every morning” – Lamentations 3:23 |
There is a special golden moment on a San Francisco spring morning when the sun seems to break through with such clarity and radiance that it is as though you'd stepped through the gates of Paradise. |
Impressionism has always seemed to me a most romantic painting style - so emotionally charged, so free. |
It is possible to embrace the world of our deepest dreams. I do that as an artist, and it is my fervent hope that canvases like my new Mountain Paradise enable you to do that as well. |
"In my Father’s house are many mansions …" – John 14:2 |
OF SAN FRANCISCO
"I Left My Heart in San Francisco ...", so says the classic ballad; yet what is it about the fabled city by the bay that so strongly tugs at the heart strings? I will attempt to answer that question with a new series of paintings, of which this is the first. My passion for San Francisco should be evident to all. After all, I've done nearly twenty images for publication that celebrate my beloved city by the bay. Yet looking back on all these images, I have yet to document a setting that is as quintessentially "San Francisco" as my newest work. |
The painter must be a close watcher of nature. From a very early age, I trained myself to be alert to the treasures God places before our wondering eyes. So, when a rare First Snow fell on the brilliant autumn woods near my home town of Placerville, I was ready. |
Life is filled with quiet surprises. One such delight can be found in an autumn weekend on Mackinac Island, that charming retreat from modern living nestled in the sparkling waters between Lakes Michigan and Huron. The only way to reach Mackinac Island is aboard ferry, and once you've arrived, the only modes of transport are walking, bicycles, and romantic horse-drawn carriages. No automobiles or motorcycles disturb the enchanting timelessness. |
My art keeps me young. The joy of creation is invigorating; I approach each new canvas with the same enthusiasm, the same expectancy, the same curiosity that I brought at the start of my career. |
How many children have stood at this very spot, eyes wide with wonder at their first glimpse of Sleeping Beauty Castle, since Disneyland® park opened fifty years ago? |
London is the rarest of contemporary cities – at once rich with picturesque landmarks and invigorated by modern energies. I set up my easel at just this spot to capture its two faces. I painted within the shadows of Westminster Bridge , ancient and massive, while a regal sunset illuminated the reflections of the House of Parliament and the Tower of Big Ben in the silvery water of the Thames. |
The winter has painted the scene with its distinctive brush: snow crowns the bare trees and clings to the roof: a cheerful snowman greets visitors who walk the frozen pathway. I've set the scene at sunset so that the rich rose and salmon tones, filtered through a gentle mist, will warm the otherwise chilly setting with a radiant light. |
Golfer's Paradise Hole One
Like many people of faith, I have often contemplated the glories of heaven. In fact, collectors have often told me that, to them, my paintings are like little glimpses of heaven. Though such comments might seem whimsical, my recent readings have suggested that there may be many similarities between earth and heaven. In fact, some theologians speculate that heaven might be a perfected form of our earthly dwelling – almost like a renewed Garden of Eden for us to enjoy. Christ said he would prepare a mansion for us – could he also prepare a divine garden setting where in we might pursue a recreational game or two? Imagine the possibilities: not a care to interrupt the stroll through the verdant grounds, not a deadline to interfere, not an interruption to beckon. Bliss, pure and simple, and a fragrant walk through the morning light as one pursues the perfect round. |
Any life worth living is a life enriched by frequent new beginnings. Recently, I entered into a new beginning of my own: the third decade of my life's work as a published artist. As I think back on all the memories and inspirations the last twenty years have held, I am filled with eager anticipation of what the coming decade may bring. |
"The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want... He leadeth me beside the still waters." |
My heart inhabits some enchanting homes. In every season, it discovers a stately dwelling place, combining the dignity
of grand traditions with the delights of domesticity. |
It can be fascinating to look back at the path you've walked in your life. When I was a young man, working my way toward my mature painting style, I fell under the influence of artists who would point me in directions I would later make my own. In my student days, I discovered the work of the great American landscape painters like Thomas Hill, Albert Bierstadt, and Frederick Church as well. Their ability to imbue landscape with spiritual qualities delighted and inspired me. |
On a trip to Salt Lake City many years ago I was enamored with the lingering effects of dusk on the distant mountains and the way in which the lights of the city began to twinkle as the shadows of the mountains enveloped the skyline. I decided then and there to attempt to capture the city when the timing was right. And now the timing is perfect! As I worked on Salt Lake: City of Lights, I constantly balanced the desire to infuse the historic details of the city (for example the towering capitol building at the far left and the famous tabernacle and temple of the Mormon Church in the right middle) with touches of the newer buildings and skyline. The Delta Center seen at the far right stands in contrast with the cluster of smaller buildings that make up the foreground and distance, and the many skyscrapers needed occasional alterations to complete the composition with balance and poise. |
On my first visit to the continent, I found myself fascinated by the works of the Impressionist painters, which appear in such abundance in the great Parisian museums. I began to see that the masters had secrets, and I determined to discover them for myself. I went so far as to give myself the very French brush name, Robert Girrard, and to style myself during my travels in France as a member of the Impressionist school. |
Artists seek to present a distinctive vision of the world. Which means that there are favorite themes, color harmonies, subjects that repeat themselves in our work. |
My artist's heart beats faster in Montmartre, surrounded as I am by the heritage of giants. When I set up my easel and canvas on the sidewalks of what was, a century ago, the artistic capital of the world, I know that I follow in the steps of Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, and all the others who made this section of Paris the symbol of the artistic lifestyle. Happily, Parisian women still stroll the boulevards with parasols in hand, so that my Montmartre retains its historic flavor. — Thomas Kinkade |
Hope is the great gift of a loving God. For people of faith, hope is symbolized in the dawning of each day, the assurance that God's love is new every morning. Hope lights our spirit in the midst of despair; it is the life-force that "through the green stem drives the flower," it keeps a divine vision alive in the hearts of the weak and needy. |
The play of light on the water intrigues and challenges me today, much as it challenged the Impressionist masters a century ago. Like Monet, I love to set up my easel on a riverbank and attempt to capture the multiple reflections and the sparkle of sunlight as a gentle breeze ripples the stream. |
I am frequently told that my paintings are to many people like glimpses of heaven. With this in mind, my latest work, Mountain Retreat, might be thought of as the kind of heavenly vision that any enthusiast of country living would long for. |
"Pause in your travels ye wayfarer, and celebrate the Lord in the beauty of His creation." |
If you have seen Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief" - "graced" by an unforgettable performance by the lovely Grace Kelly - then you have seen The Beach at Nice. The backdrop of stately old hotels, the sweep of pebbled beach, the festive beach cabanas, the dancing sailboats, and above all the unmistakable velvet waters of the Cote d'Azur, combine to make this a perfect subject for my Robert Girrard Impressionist style. |
Some believe that artists are touched by a spark of divine fire. I have always felt that true inspiration is a gift from our Creator, and have often heard stories from collectors who have found renewed strength, hope or comfort from something I have created. In that sense perhaps all artists, whether musician, painter, or poet can at times be a vessel of God?s profound mercy and love. If this is true, then inspiration can be thought of as both spiritual and deeply human. |
I don't think it's a historical accident that Impressionist painting began in France. There are distinctive French vistas that are so lyrical, so vibrantly drenched in radiant light, that they virtually compel the brush to dance over the canvas with the verve of a Renoir or Manet. |
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