William Thomas Kinkade III, also known as the “Painter of Light,” was an iconic American painter who gained fame for his realistic and idyllic paintings. He developed a unique technique for capturing light and atmosphere while studying at Art Center College of Design. Kinkade’s works depicted serene scenes of gardens, cottages, and churches, infused with a warm glow of sunlight. Despite criticism from art critics, he achieved great success through mass marketing and licensing of his paintings. Kinkade’s legacy lives on through his Thomas Kinkade Company and the Thomas Kinkade Gallery retail stores. Tragically, he passed away from an accidental overdose.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: William Thomas Kinkade III
- Died At Age: 54
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Nanette Wiley (m. 1982)
- Father: William Thomas Kinkade II
- Mother: Maryanne Kinkade
- Siblings: Kate Johnson, Patrick Kinkade
- Children: Chandler Kinkade, Everett Kinkade, Merritt Kinkade, Winsor Kinkade
- Born Country: United States
- Realist Painters
- American Men
- Died on: April 6, 2012
- Place of death: Monte Sereno, California, United States
- Cause of Death: Intoxication
- U.S. State: California
- More Facts
- Education: Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
Childhood & Early Life
William Thomas Kinkade III was born on January 19, 1958, in Sacramento, California. He grew up in the town of Placerville and attended El Dorado High School, graduating in 1976. During his early years, Kinkade was mentored by Charles Bell and Glenn Wessels. Wessels encouraged him to study at the University of California at Berkeley, but Kinkade transferred to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena after completing two years of general education at Berkeley. He was also a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
Career
In June 1980, Kinkade and his college friend James Gurney traveled across the US and ended up in New York, where they made a contract with Guptill Publications to produce a sketching handbook. The handbook, titled “The Artist’s Guide to Sketching,” was published in 1982 and became a best-seller. This success led to Kinkade and Gurney working on background art for the animated film “Fire and Ice.” It was during this time that Kinkade began exploring the use of light in his works.
Kinkade went on to produce and sell his works in galleries across California. His paintings often depicted idealistic scenes of American life, featuring pastel colors, radiant effects, and subjects such as gardens, Main Streets, lighthouses, and cottages. Christian themes, including churches and crosses, were also recurring elements in his works, as Kinkade described himself as a devout Christian. He incorporated specific Bible passages into many of his paintings.
Kinkade’s production process involved a combination of his own painting and the assistance of studio apprentices. His paintings were first designed and painted by him before being sent for mass production as prints. Although Kinkade was involved in the design and production of his original works, he had studio assistants help him develop multiple prints. These prints were often touched up with manual brush strokes by someone else.
In 1984, Kinkade started distributing his works with the help of investors and launched Lightpost Publishing, which later evolved into the Thomas Kinkade Company. He also opened Thomas Kinkade Gallery retail stores across the US. Through mass marketing and licensing deals with companies like Hallmark, Kinkade’s artwork became highly collected and appeared on various products such as calendars, puzzles, and greeting cards.
Philanthropic Pursuits & Recognitions
Kinkade supported several charitable organizations, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Salvation Army, and World Vision. He created two charity prints in partnership with the Salvation Army, with proceeds going towards relief efforts at Ground Zero and helping victims of the September 11 attacks.
Throughout his career, Kinkade received numerous awards and recognitions, including induction into the California Tourism Hall of Fame and receiving the World Children’s Center Humanitarian Award. He was also selected to commemorate milestones such as Walt Disney World Resort’s 35th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.
Family & Personal Life
Kinkade married Nanette Willey on May 2, 1982. They had four daughters together named Merritt, Chandler, Winsor, and Everett. The couple separated, and Nanette filed for divorce two years before Kinkade’s death.
Kinkade’s brother, Dr. Patrick Kinkade, is a professor in the criminal justice department at Texas Christian University.
Kinkade passed away on April 6, 2012, due to “acute intoxication” from alcohol and diazepam. After his death, Nanette sought a restraining order against Amy Pinto-Walsh, Kinkade’s girlfriend at the time, to prevent the release of personal information and photos. They later reached a private agreement. In the following year, Nanette and their four daughters established The Kinkade Family Foundation, a public charity dedicated to making art accessible to all.