Goodbye To The “Painter Of Light© “, Thomas Kinkaide

The world lost one of our modern day artists, Thomas Kinkade, the self-proclaimed "Painter of Light© ". He gave comfort in his artwork by painting all that was good in the world, like a father and son at he lake, gentle country settings or a peaceful setting by a creek.

Even though he was largely criticized by the art community for being too simple and commercial, he claimed to be the nation's most collected living artist, and his paintings and spin-off products were said to fetch some $100 million a year in sales, and to be in 10 million homes in the United States (meaning 1 out of every 20 homes in the USA).

"I'm a warrior for light," Kinkade, a self-described devout Christian, told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, a reference to the medieval practice of using light to symbolize the divine. "With whatever talent and resources I have, I'm trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel."

Bridges are a frequent subject, as are steps or grassy inclines leading through gate images. Some of his paintings are visual depictions of Bible verses, such as "A Light in the Storm," taken from John 8:12: "I am the light of the world."

A biography on the website said Kinkade rejected "the intellectual isolation of the artist" and instead, made "each of his works an intimate statement that resonates in the personal lives of his viewers."

"I share something in common with Norman Rockwell and, for that matter, with Walt Disney, in that I really like to make people happy," he said.

His light may be been extinguished but the light he gave us will shine on forever.

Here are some images that stood out to me, over the years. I hope you enjoy what his life has brought to all of us.