Thom often talked about Plein Air painting. In Plein Air – or open-air painting – the natural light is always changing as the sun moves across the sky and clouds can play with this natural light. He always traveled with a small portable studio and was ready to paint at any time. His passion with which he worked shows itself in the bold brushworks that brings Cottage in the Pines to life.

Thomas Kinkade was raised with the majestic views of the mighty Sierra-Nevada mountain range. He often recalled that as a boy, he would hike surrounded by the clear evidence of God’s hand in creation. While we do not have any notes from Thom that tells us where he was when he painted this Plein Air, you can definitely place yourself in his hiking shoes and envision capturing Cottage in the Pines in that moment of time.

In the Passport to Adventure Series by the Thomas Kinkade Studios, Mickey and Minnie – along with some of their closest friends – explore famous travel destinations around the world. This time Mickey and friends find themselves on an off-road adventure in the Australian Outback, surrounded by a crop of Aussie wildlife.

While exploring the outback, Mickey, Minnie and Pluto spot one of Australia’s rarest creatures: the bilby. On the other side of the stream, Goofy is on the hunt for the sacred Ayers Rock but he just can’t seem to spot it. Donald on the other hand, is nervously on the lookout after he thought he spotted a snake in the brush.

 

Thomas Kinkade was a life-long admirer of Walt Disney and the wonderful characters he created. While Thom re-created many of his favorite stories on canvas, he also envisioned classic Disney characters set within traditional Kinkade images. In these paintings by the Thomas Kinkade Studios, his dream is proudly brought to life.

A mountain stream cascades over an array of stones framing a rusting wooded cabin, nestled between the trees. A fireplace warms the living rooms and illuminates the porch. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are seen relaxing together on an old log, roasting marshmallows over a crackling campfire after spending a long day of exploring the vast trails of the forest. To thank Minnie for planning a picture-perfect picnic outing, Mickey has surprised her with s’mores for desert! The perfect treat for the end of a perfect day.

The sun has set on this iconic duo and a crescent moon can be seen rising in the night sky. The campfire flames are almost dancing in the cool breeze as this sixth and final painting closes out the Mickey and Minnie Sweetheart Series. Mickey’s faithful companion Pluto is still by Mickey’s side and has sat close by the fire – waiting for a treat – as his face is toasted warm on this chilly night.

Thomas Kinkade was a life-long admirer of Walt Disney and the wonderful characters he created. While Thom re-created many of his favorite stories on canvas, he also envisioned classic Disney characters set within traditional Kinkade images. In these paintings from the Thomas Kinkade Studios, his dream is proudly brought to life.

As Mickey Mouse hands Minnie Mouse a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a thankful Minnie throws her arms around Mickey’s neck – thanking him for such a wonderful day in New York City.

The day is coming to and end. While the sun creeps low beneath the skyline and pierces through the already changing red and orange autumn leaves, the familiar “Kinkadian” lamp posts begin to flicker and light-up throughout the park. But the day isn’t over yet, as Mickey has one more surprise for Minnie: a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park.

Mickey’s thoughtful planning has not only created an unforgettable day for Minnie, but has also reminded us that our kindest gestures speak louder than words.

Minnie Mouse knows that a day full of shopping on Rodeo Drive isn’t complete without the perfect ensemble.

Thomas Kinkade Studios has illustrated Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive perfectly, paying incredible attention to the details – from the brick-fan patterned streets and building architecture to the ornate lamp posts and flower arrangements. Like Minnie’s summer dress, Minnie Rocks the Dots on Rodeo Drive is an instant classic.

In the Passport to Adventure series by the Thomas Kinkade Studios, Mickey and Minnie – along with some of their closest friends – explore famous travel destinations around the world.

In this flashing Hollywood scene, Mickey and Minnie walk the red carpet. The beautiful California sunset and stunning palm trees frame the setting for a one-of-a-kind Disney celebration. Lights and cameras flash as onlookers gather to try to get a photograph of the famous pair. The happy couple waltzes romantically through the crowd as their closest friends gather to support them. Mickey and Minnie in Hollywood depicts one of Southern California’s most iconic venues with a Kinkade flair.

In the Passport to Adventure series by the Thomas Kinkade Studios, Mickey and Minnie – along with some of their closest friends – explore famous travel destinations around the world.

Walt Disney Productions released an animated short film in 1937 entitled “Hawaiian Holiday.” The cartoon cast of “Hawaiian Holiday” included Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto as they set out on a Hawaiian island getaway, complete with every laughable mishap that caused millions of people to fall in love with them – including Thomas Kinkade. As a life-long admirer of Walt Disney’s work, Thom often enjoyed recreating many of the scenes and characters in typical Kinkade style.

The most memorable place in Kansas City is the Country Club Plaza. With its old-world architecture, you may have a hard time distinguishing this famous shopping and entertainment neighborhood from the similar districts in Barcelona in Spain, Rome in Italy, or Lisbon in Portugal. The lights reflect beautifully off of the Mediterranean influenced architecture – what a wonderful surprise to find in the midst of the American Great Plains! Here is Plaza Lights, Kansas City.

I have just the prescription for anyone who’s feeling cynical or flippant or world-weary: daughters! The playful high-spirits and sense of wonder that my little girls Merritt and Chandler bring to my world inspire and invigorate me. What imaginations they have – they’ll notice one tiny detail in a painting and weave a whole story from it.

I’ve paid tribute to the “everything nice” world of little girls before, but my new Sugar and Spice Cottage Series is the first collection solely devoted to “dollhouse” cottages that any little girl would love to live in – especially one of my own daughters!

Heather’s Hutch, which leads off the series, is no dollhouse – it’s inspired by a real stone cottage I discovered in the English Cotswolds. But the thatched roof and pink and white dogwoods make it especially attractive to young ladies and I just know there’s a little play garden behind the gate.

The hen with her chicks and pigeons are for my little Chandler, who gets so excited whenever she sees birds. And the rich plum color on the doors above my windows is for another favorite “girl” of mine – my lovely wife Nanette.

“An artist’s studio is his most important self-portrait” ~ Thomas Kinkade

Studios, after all, are the places we artists do our own work…and where we seek our inspirations. That’s certainly true of my second studio – a romantic hideaway in the lovely village of Carmel-by-the-Sea in California, which I’ve portrayed in my Studio in the Garden.

I’ve always dreamed of a second studio – a place where I could retreat for a change of scene, but still do the work I love. And my studio in Carmel is really a dream come true! To my knowledge, I’m the only artist privileged by the city to maintain an open air studio.

On lovely days I paint under the sky with the sound of the Blue Pacific in the distance – and nothing can be more romantic than that as far as I’m concerned! Huge windows satisfy my passion for light; the flowers that I love surround me in a charming English garden. And, as my collectors have noticed, in my windows of my garden studio hang paintings that are my personal favorites.