The Southwest Voice

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As a local interior decorator, I have always been a huge fan of the great Thomas Kinkade! I believe that when selecting a piece of art for your home, it should be something that brings a sense of tranquility upon entering the room. Kinkade’s art does just that, adding a sense of beauty, serenity, and peace to any home. So when I recently received an invitation to have dinner with the “great painter of light” and his wife Nannette, I had to make a conscious effort not shout out an enthusiastic “Yes!” as I accepted the invitation!

The dinner was set at the beautiful CordeValle Resort, nestled in the majestic beauty of the quaint little town of San Martin. As nervous as I was to be sitting at the same table with this modern-day Rockwell, it did not take long for all of my jitters to vanish. Thom and Nanette were warm and welcoming and kept us entertained with inspiring stories of the “early years.”

When I asked him what his greatest source of inspiration is, he replied, “First and foremost, God has always been the source of my inspiration. It is His light that fills my artwork, and sharing that light with millions of collectors around the world has been a source of great joy to me. My wife, Nanette, however, has been one of the primary driving forces behind my success. It was with her encouragement and persistence that I began to publish my art 25 years ago. Without her support, I’m not sure I would have been able to succeed.”

Thom told us that shortly after he and Nannette married, he considered giving up his dream and pursuing another path. Nannette just kept encouraging him to pursue his dream. After scraping their life savings together, which amounted to a few thousand dollars, they had his first set of prints made. They sold those prints from the trunk of their car in a grocery store parking lot for about $40 each. That passion for painting and the drive to succeed has paid off in a big way! Thomas Kinkade is the only living artist that, to date, has sold more pieces of art then Vincent Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin, and Leonardo da Vinci combined!

As I take a moment to admire my own favorite Kinkade Panting, “The River Seine,” I am reminded of the amazing evening that this Bakersfield girl got to spend with the “great painter of light.” I am also reminded of the lesson and inspiration I took away from that time — never give up on your passion! Never be afraid to pour your heart and soul into whatever it is that drives you! Because as Thomas Kinkade has proven over and over again, if it’s truly something that you love, there is no limit to how far you can soar!