The 'painter of light' Thomas Kinkade, one of America's most popular artist, has died at the age of 54. His
family issued a statement saying that he passed away at his California
home on Friday from what appeared to be natural causes.The artist's paintings hang in an estimated one out of every 20 homes in the United States.
The millionaire is survived by his wife Nanette and his four daughters.
'Thom
provided a wonderful life for his family,'' his wife, Nanette, said in
a statement according to msnbc.com. 'We are shocked and saddened by his
death.'
A key feature of
his paintings are their glowing highlights and saturated pastel
colors.His works often portray bucolic, idyllic settings such as
gardens, streams, stone cottages, and main streets.
The painter is notable for the mass
marketing of his work as printed reproductions and other licensed
products through his company The Thomas Kinkade Company
The prices of his painting's range from $200 to more than $10,000.
'Thomas Kinkade, the celebrated 'Painter
of Light' is one of the most widely collected and beloved artists of
our day, ' his official website says.
'Each year millions of people are
drawn to the luminous light and tranquil mood of Kinkade's paintings
and include his creations in their lives through prints, books, and
other fine collectibles.'
The
University of California Berkeley graduate was a devout Christian and
has said his inspiration comes from his religious beliefs and that his
work is intended to contain a larger moral meaning.
'I try to create paintings that are a window for the imagination,' Kinkade said on his website.
'If
people look at my work and are reminded of the way things once were or
perhaps the way they could be, then I've done my job.'
Kinkade's company made $32 million
per quarter from 4,500 dealers across the country 10 years ago, before
going private, the Mercury News reported.
His
website also offers prints, mugs, nightlights and other home-decor
items adorned with his paintings, which feature bridges, churches,
cottages, Disney scenes, gazebos estates and the outdoors.
Kinkade
grew up in the small town of Placerville, California, graduated from
high school in 1976, before attending the University of California,
Berkeley and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena
He
married his wife Nanette in 1982 and the couple have four daughters;
Merritt, Chandler, Winsor and Everett all named after artists.
Kinkade is reported to have earned $53 million for his artistic work between 1997 and May 2005.
But in 2010, his company's Morgan Hill manufacturing arm, Pacific Metro, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Months
later, Kinkade was reportedly arrested on suspicion of DUI. In 2009,
the Los Angeles Times reported the FBI was investigating whether he
fraudulently induced investors and then ruined them financially.