Copyright=Images ⌐ Thomas Kinkade<br>Media Arts Group, Inc. San Jose, CA<br><br>For information on Thomas Kinkade limited edition prints, please call Media Arts Group, San Jose, CA
WithCaptions=with Scripture
WithoutCaptions=without Scripture
Type=1
FontHeight=28
FontType=BlackChancery
;BioName=tom.hlp
;BioLocation=app
eBookCaption=Artist Information
eBookName=titlepage.html
eBookLocation=eBook
eBookArgs=
[LongNames]
110=The Mountain Chapel
120=Clearing Storms
130=Gardens Beyond Autumn Gate
140=The Garden of Prayer
150=Evening Carolers
160=Sunday Outing
170=Twilight Cottage
180=Afternoon Light, Dogwood
190=Bridge of Faith
200=Petals of Hope
210=Hometown Lake
220=Blossom Hill Church
230=Rose Gate
240=Lilac Gazebo
250=Stillwater Bridge
260=Julianne's Cottage
270=Sweetheart Cottage
280=Christmas Memories
290=Blossom Bridge
300=Gardens Beyond Spring Gate
310=Pine Cove Cottage
320=Cobblestone Brooke
330=Hidden Cottage
340=Hidden Cottage II
350=Home Is Where the Heart Is
360=Hometown Evening
370=Hometown Chapel
380=Glory of Morning
390=Glory of Evening
400=Sunday Evening Sleigh Ride
410=Autumn at Ashley's Cottage
420=Candlelight Cottage
430=Victorian Garden II
440=Hollyhock House
450=Beside Still Waters
460=A Light in the Storm
470=Beacon of Hope
480=The Garden of Promise
490=The Victorian Garden
500=The Autumn Gate
510=Broadwater Bridge
520=The Miller's Cottage
530=Evening at Swanbrooke Cottage
540=Hidden Arbor
550=Autumn Lane
[Inspirations]
110=The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
120=Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.
130=Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
140=Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
150=My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You - I, whom You have redeemed.
160=But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
170=When you enter a house, first<br>say æPeace to this house.Æ
180=You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
190=Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
200=I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life.
210=How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together<br>in unity.
220=For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.
230=The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
240=Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.
250=I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
260=Live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
270=Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside.
280=Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.
290=So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
300=Be still before the Lord and wait patiently<br>for Him.
310=Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
320=The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
330=Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must<br>give account.
340=In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your<br>paths straight.
350=Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
360=Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
370=My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
380=The night is nearly over;<br>the day is almost here.
390=Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
400=But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
410=And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
420=Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.
430=To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness.
440=You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
450=He leads me beside still waters.
460=The Lord is my light and my salvation.
470=I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
480=The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.
490=Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
500=Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, æThis is the way; walk in it.'
510=I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
520=Let love and faithfulness never leave you ... write them on the tablet of your heart.
530=My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
540=Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
550=Show me Your ways, O Lord,<br>teach me Your paths.
[Subinspiration]
110=Psalm 72:3
120=John 14:1
130=Colossians 3:15
140=Philippians 4:6
150=Psalm 71:23
160=Joshua 24:15
170=Luke 10:5
180=Psalm 16:11
190=Romans 10:17
200=John 5:24
210=Psalm 133:1
220=Matthew 18:20
230=Isaiah 40:8
240=Mark 6:31
250=Philippians 4:13
260=2 Corinthians 13:11
270=Song of Solomon 7:11
280=Luke 2:14
290=Isaiah 41:10
300=Psalm 37:7
310=Matthew 24:35
320=Psalm 29:11
330=Hebrews 4:13
340=Proverbs 3:6
350=Galatians 6:9
360=Ephesians 4:32
370=John 10:27
380=Romans 13:12
390=Matthew 6:34
400=1 John 1:7
410=Hebrews 10:24
420=John 12:36
430=Ecclesiastes 2:26
440=Isaiah 26:3
450=Psalm 23:2
460=Psalm 27:1
470=John 8:12
480=Psalm 145:13
490=Matthew 11:28
500=Isaiah 30:21
510=John 14:6
520=Proverbs 3:3
530=Isaiah 32:18
540=Isaiah 26:4
550=Psalm 25:4
[Coordinates]
110=0,0
120=17,0
130=0,0
140=0,0
150=0,0
160=17,0
170=60,0
180=0,0
190=30,0
200=40,0
210=60,0
220=60,0
230=17,0
240=17,0
250=30,0
260=60,0
270=17,0
280=17,0
290=17,0
300=0,0
310=40,0
320=0,0
330=17,0
340=60,0
350=17,0
360=17,0
370=50,0
380=40,0
390=60,0
400=0,0
410=0,0
420=50,0
430=5,0
440=40,0
450=45,75
460=17,0
470=17,0
480=35,0
490=22,0
500=40,0
510=45,0
520=0,0
530=17,0
540=0,0
550=40,0
[Description]
110=Who has not, at the sight of some glorious vista, echoed the poet's profound sentiment? 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. "The Mountain Chapel," first in the series, is a rough-hewn stone chapel sculpted out of the very granite of the mountains that rise behind. As my Chapels of Nature series unfolds, we will seek the presence of God in His lakes, forests, hills and valleys. It is my prayer that we will find Him together.
120="Clearing Storms," is, to me, a symbolic scene, charged with a joyous message. Storms -- dark, brooding, terrifying -- are a part of all our lives. When we're in the grip of a storm, we may feel abandoned by God. The meaning of "Clearing Storms" is that God's love is eternal. Up in the sky, God's light has touched the clouds with myriad colors, transforming them into harbingers of hope. A timid stream, which suggests to me an individual human life, makes its way to the great ocean. A gazebo provides refuge for the lighthouse keeper when storms have passed, where he can contemplate the wonder of it all in one of my favorite ways -- drinking in the warmth from a cup of hot tea.
130=In "Gardens Beyond Autumn Gate," a graceful Greek urn rises out of a reflecting pool, just as a manor house looms above its manicured grounds. A radiant light permeates the misty air. Here is the perfection that exists only in places that touch our imaginations and our hearts.
140=Perhaps in a garden we are closer to our creator. We certainly are more close to His creation. My prayer is that this painted garden will be a meeting place for many that would speak to their God in the silence of morning. Or the silence of evening. Or any time in between. In our imagination we might picture His presence at our side. Or is it just imagination? Do we see in the distance a gentle visitor approaching the gate?
150=This painting celebrates one of the most universal Christmas traditions: the singing of joyous Christmas carols. There's nothing that lifts the spirit like joining in song with those you love on a crisp December evening!
160=Family traditions. A favorite of ours is the Sunday drive. After church we'll take off in the family car, often driving in California's Apple Hill country, where the neat orchards and charming old farm houses provide a comfortable reminder that families have been enjoying Sunday outings for a long time now.
170=The subject of "Twilight Cottage" is more than a charming little cottage nestled by a stream. It is nothing less than the joyful melody of cricket song and cascading water, the romance of sunset enhanced by a silvery sliver of waning moon; in short, the peace that passeth understanding.
180=During my travels, I often wander about, keeping an eye out for new scenes to sketch and paint. On one of my journeys, I was walking through a village park enjoying the splendor of springtime. Everything had come to life again in a joyous display of colors and fragrances.
190=For me, the world is enriched by images of faith. In the Garden of Promise collection, I look for those moments of revelation, of joyous acceptance, that comprise our common spiritual experience. Then I look out into the world to find visual images that reflect the truths of my walk with God.
200=I sometimes visualize faith as a garden, where hope is in abundant bloom. In "The Garden of Promise," we stood at the gate of that wondrous retreat. In "Petals of Hope," we've entered the garden where the lavish blossoms dazzle the eye and the air is fragrant with hope.
210=With "Hometown Lake," fourth in my Hometown Memories collection, I move beyond memory to the realm of my deepest imaginings. I'm intrigued by the vision of a lakeside village, where I while away the days swimming, fishing, dreaming. I believe that people in every area of our nation and all parts of our culture share this vision, this longing for a peaceful lakeside place.
220=This painting is the first piece in my Country Church collection. I have a fondness for all country churches. I'm particularly attached to "Blossom Hill Church," since within its weathered walls my wife and I were wed!
230=In the first of a trio of coordinated paintings in honor of my beautiful baby, Winsor, we enter through the floral opulence of "Rose Gate." Two ancient stone columns guard the entrance; a weathered copper plaque bears the crest of the manor, an interlocking "W & M."
240=The third in my series of paintings in honor of my daughter Winsor, "Lilac Gazebo" offers a special delight to the senses. Here the air is fragrant with the heady perfume of lilacs. This tiny architectural gem nestled in a bower of flowering lilacs is a romantic dream come true.
250=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 seems to prefer the raging torrents to the quiet brook -- why else wouldn't we seek daily those waters that are still? Perhaps that's why we need a Shepherd. Who else loves His sheep enough to gently lead them to pastures green and waters tranquil?
260=While visiting England one fall, Nanette and I decided to take a driving trip to the Lake District -- a beautiful area of England known for its spectacular scenery. While there, we stayed in this cottage, interestingly enough once owned by Beatrix Potter, the famous creator of Peter Rabbit and other stories. The cottage was part of a large farm, and as I worked on the painting, I was surrounded by an assortment of chickens and geese, who took more interest in my lunch than in my painting! By the way, the room we stayed in is the one at the upper left of the cottage.
270=Perhaps my sentimental Irish nature is shining through, but I happen to be enchanted with the idea of a romantic hideaway hidden amidst blossoming flowers. "Sweetheart Cottage" is a dual tribute to my tenth wedding anniversary and to the most romantic occasion of the year: Valentine's Day.
280=In "Christmas Memories," first in my new series celebrating the joyous festivity of an earlier and more gracious era, one of California's great historic houses shows its festive holiday face. Colorful lights spill out from the huge Christmas tree as tethered horses await the close of festivities.
290=I came upon a scene in Ireland where ancient footpaths wind their way over an old stone bridge to a distant village. It was all so green that I began to add brightly colored flowers ... and suddenly a riot of colors took over.
300=All of us, I believe, carry a memory of Eden. Life began in that garden and, for me, many of the good things in life are still to be found in gardens. When I came upon the blooming spring gate, I accepted its invitation to explore -- partly to satisfy a secret longing for the splendid gardens I expected to discover within. And, since this is a locale of the imagination, I haven't been disappointed. The gardens beyond spring gate are as sumptuous and satisfying as I can make them. The manor house, as grand and imposing as it is, serves as a gateway to this marvelous garden. Though the glowing windows and smoking chimneys of the house create an inviting setting, the overwhelming beauty of the gardens draws you in to explore every nook. Once you have entered, the gentle, fragrant breezes and the calming trickle of water will keep you wandering endlessly. What could possibly be closer to paradise?
310=I especially enjoy coastal areas where the rugged rock of the shoreline is densely grown with lush pine forest. Here life is doubly dramatic -- for the surging crash of waves is answered in turn by the song of the wind in the sturdy evergreens. To clear a secluded piece of ground in the forest and build a cozy stone cottage suitable for a lifetime of seaside moments -- that is a dream I'm sure is hidden deep in each of us.
320="Cobblestone Brooke" is inspired by Castle Comb, in England's county of Wiltshire. Nanette and I discovered this charming village during our wanderings over the British countryside, and fell in love.
330="Hidden Cottage" is a treasure composed in equal measures of dreams and memories. Once discovered and painted, it is a treasure for all to share.
340=I take a great deal of pleasure in finding out-of-the-way places, small wonders that sometimes seem to go unnoticed like the cottage behind the gate in "Hidden Cottage II."
350=Like many others, I enjoy the look of charming two-story homes such as this, with shutters on the windows, flower-lined walkways and a shade tree towering over the front lawn. As I worked on this painting, I imagined my own family living in this beautiful setting, with wicker chairs for my wife, Nanette, a swing for my daughter Merritt, and even a teddy bear beneath the tree for my daughter, Chandler!
360=I remember wandering the lanes of my hometown on a Sunday evening, drawn as if by magnetic attraction toward the heart of the village. "Hometown Evening," the third in my Hometown Memories collection, is enriched by intense childhood memories, although I've chosen to turn the clock back a few decades ... I did that to heighten the nostalgia, and to give myself the chance to paint some of my favorite vintage cars.
370=This is the chapel where we commemorate the landmarks that fill our lives; 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.
380=For me, the quality of light is a delight! Morning light is warm with the energy of a new day, yet the cool air is heavy with mist. My "Glory of Morning" sparkles with the light of just such a morning -- warm light filtered through myriad tiny water drops until the colors glisten. You can see that light reflected on the flowers of a fabulous garden, each color so vibrant that the garden becomes a living rainbow. Flowers, artists -- and Kinkade collectors -- all delight to the glories of a lovely morning.
390=I painted "Glory of Morning" and "Glory of Evening" as a pair. Both explore the subtleties of transitional light, when the sky flames with a special radiance, when colors are heightened and shadows dance on the ground. But "Glory of Evening" is as different from its companion piece as sunset is from sunrise. The dust of a busy day, and its low-lying clouds, reflect the violet of sunset. That violet radiance colors the garden flowers, deepening their hues. Such glorious evenings as this lay a purple cloak upon the land ... and every home becomes a castle.
400=Snow is a wonderful mirror for moonlight, bathing the landscape in a soft silver flow. Here is a church built on a hillside, where it becomes a beacon of hope for its village; worshippers arrive in a swift, cozy horse-drawn sleigh. The moonlight casts dramatic shadows and under its spell, the lamps in the valley below twinkle with a special radiance.
410=How fondly I remember the fragrant leaf fires that were a favorite autumn ritual of my boyhood. "Autumn at Ashley's Cottage," with its bustling chickens in the yard and its heaps of crisp autumn leaves delights that little boy in me.
420=The classic English cottage looks wonderfully warm and inviting in the glow of flickering candles. The dancing candlelight has a cozy, intimate quality - especially when it's suffused in the soft mist of this fine English evening.
430=Ah, the dappled light of morning ... it works such an exquisite magic on the flowers. Each dew-drenched petal reflects radiant sunlight, much like the facets of a jewel. I imagine the generations of family enjoying their magnificent gardens at their leisure, watching the slow growth of hedges and climbing roses much as they savor the slow maturing of children and grandchildren.
440="Hollyhock House," second in my Flower Cottages of Carmel collection, is a real hideaway along the picturesque Pacific coast. The rich, honey-colored stone is an effect of wind and weather on rock. The splendid, dignified hollyhocks, which rise as proud and straight sentinels at the entrance to the garden, are my imaginative addition to the scene.
450=There is a wonderful hideaway I visit only in my art, bathed in a silvery light, ablaze with flowers of every hue and description, silent save for the murmur of gently rushing waters. "Beside Still Waters" is my vision of what the Garden of Eden must have been like. As a Christian, I speculate on the mystery and wonder of God's creation, when nature was perfect, unspoiled. As an artist, I try to convey my own wonder at the richness and variety I still find in the natural world.
460=To those who observe with a knowing eye and an understanding heart, the natural world is rich with allegories of profound spiritual truths. "A Light in the Storm" is a visual analogy to Jesus' proclamation "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). The ocean here is wild with the fury of the storm; waves break and toss in violent chaos. Above, a mighty thunderhead looms, its menace seems to fill and dominate the entire sky.
470="Beacon of Hope" is a product of imagination and an allegory of faith. A small boat, barely visible on the horizon, rides heavy seas that surge and crash onto a rocky coast; the lighthouse beacon is its sole guide. The keeper's house is a safe haven against all storms.
480=When a close friend lost loved ones, I was amazed to see the serenity and peace that filled his heart. It was almost as if despite the hardship of parting, he was already anticipating the joyful reunion that lay ahead. He reminded us that he would "see them again soon." I chose a garden with a rambling stone walkway climbing up through flower hedges to illustrate my tribute to the hope many of us share of the better times that lie ahead.
490=As I explored this English garden, I was struck by the overwhelming fragrance of the many blooms. Back home in California, as I worked on the final painting, I was reminded of the delightful floral scent of the garden. Though painters usually deal with qualities of light and color, I must say this painting captures some of the fragrant bouquet on canvas.
500=A gate is an invitation to explore! I spotted this gate while driving through a tiny Cotswold village, having just painted "McKenna's Cottage." I knew at once that I must record the gate in paint, yet since daylight was escaping, I quickly snapped a few reference photos and vowed to recreate the gate in my studio. Funny enough, while taking photographs of the gate, I became distracted by a man tending to a burning pile of leaves and never even attempted to see what lay up the road. So now, your guess is as good as mine!
510=This beautiful Victorian-era stone bridge is located on an idyllic stretch of stream that was once part of a large private estate and has been converted into an exclusive trout fishing club for gentlemen and ladies of means. As I worked on this painting, dapper-looking people carrying fly rods would occasionally walk by and tip their tweed caps at me. These charming people added a touch of grace to the tranquil setting!
520=This painting was executed directly from life with my easel planted precariously in the mud surrounding an ancient millpond. As I sat observing the tranquil scene, I was amazed at how many people would visit the pond to throw bread and biscuits to the ducks and geese. Over the weeks I was at work, I, too, got in the habit of feeding the ducks and, in time, the more adventurous of these would regularly settle themselves in the shade beneath my easel.
530=Walking trails accompany even the smallest stream in England, and on a summer's evening a peaceful stroll beside a gently whispering brook is guaranteed to restore even the most burdened soul. On one such evening walk in England, my family and I came upon the idyllic cottage on which I based this painting. With lush gardens and the constant murmur of the tiny brook, I can't imagine a more enchanting setting!
540=I often seek out a quiet place to meditate and pray -- a special retreat like "Hidden Arbor." This marvelous waterfall, with its myriad rivulets and streams, and the climbing flowers on a romantic arbor is a little touch of heaven.
550="Autumn Lane" follows a rural road into the cool depths of an autumn forest. The scene is rich with the pleasures of the season; the quiet shadows are deep, the morning lights brilliant, the hardwoods are simply on fire.
