Known the world over by art enthusiast for his numerous tranquil and idyllic landscape scenes, artist THOMAS KINKADE has been pronounced dead at his home in the Los Gatos area of San Francisco. He was 54.
His works are said to fetch up to $100 million collectively each year in the US alone and were held with esteem by intermediate art lovers in America, despite the fact that the art establishment often shunned his paintings. He was also the most collected living artist in America before his passing with some of his work being credited as fetching the highest price for any living artist. His works are known to include idyllic landscapes such as country gardens, churches and cottages as well as often having religious elements in them that cover a variety of Biblical imagery. He proclaimed himself to be a "warrior of light," a reference not just the light exposure he exhibited in his works but also to his devout Christian beliefs - an element that was often exposed in his works.
In a public statement made by his wife Nanette, she stated: "Thom provided a wonderful life for his family. We are shocked and saddened by his death."
He died of natural causes in the comfort of his own home.