The French coastline was a favorite place of Thomas Kinkade’s. Much of his impressionist work is based in the beauty of small seaside villages and towns. In Along the Coast, Thom captures a quiet harbor that offers both a restful peace and an inspiring vista to those who stand on its banks to reflect and dream.

I believe that each of us carries the gift of God’s inner peace in our hearts. And yet, my newest work A Prayer for Peace, is a poignant reminder that peace in our world is always possible for those who believe and pray.

This painting, which re-interprets a classic Gustave Doré Bible illustration, uses all the resources – human and divine – I could bring to infuse with peace the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. The dramatic figure of a prophet occupies the rocky heights above the city. To my mind, he is a Christ figure, but I have treated him with a deep spirituality that could well be embraced by people of other beliefs. Illuminated by a radiant moon, this holy person prays with all the fervor of his faith, that the warm glow of moonlight can wrap the walled city in a spiritual blanket of serenity.

The hope that pervades A Prayer for Peace is a profound reminder that through fervent prayer each of us might find peace – for our soul first and perhaps for our world as well.

Painters aren’t philosophers. We deal with the appearance of things, with the challenge of capturing a fleeting moment on canvas. We wrestle with the truth that underlies appearance, with the challenge posed by the eternal.

Yet there are times, I believe, when the line between painter and philosopher blurs. My Twilight Cottage suggests such a time. Its subject – twilight – is that breathless interlude between day and night when the light is so clear that is seems we can glimpse the truth beneath the veil of appearance.

The subject of Twilight Cottage is more than a charming little cottage nestled by a stream. It is nothing less than the joyful melody of cricket song and cascading water, the romance of sunset enhanced by a silvery sliver of waning moon, in short, the peace that surpasses understanding.

A philosopher has said that our stay on Earth is kind of twilight – a brief interlude of waking dream between our embrace of eternities. The painter of Twilight Cottage humbly presents this painting in affirmation of that wise understanding.

As we float down the Brooke Windermer, a quaint stone footbridge glimmers in the distant lamplight, and we appreciate anew the special quality of this romantic light. The electric light of our century is cold and hard; it produces clean, crisp shadows. In contrast, Victorian lamplight was warm and soft; in its flickering flame blurred shadows danced like leaves in the wind.

Lamplight Bridge, the fifth stop along our imaginary Brooke Windermer that flows through the English Cotswolds, is enlivened by the vibrant glitter of gas lamps. The ancient stone span, crowned by lampposts, invites evening walkers. The bridge links neighbors who dwell on either side of the stream and enhances the cozy hospitality of English country living.

You’ll notice, as well, a rustic gate with overgrown trellis that leads from the near cottage down to the banks of our gentle stream. Such a romantic path is an irresistible invitation to all those who are young at heart. Perhaps, you and I and all who delight in the charms of Lamplight Bridge can join the village children in sailing our wooden boats on the brook.

I love flowers, I love cottages, and I love the radiant effects of morning light. Combine all three of these into one setting and you have something that, as an artist, I dream of stumbling upon. Recently, while in my favorite seaside village Carmel-by-the-Sea, I stumbled upon a setting with all three of these aspects, and believe me, my heart was in the clouds. In fact, I immediately pulled the car over, set up my easel and settled down to work. The result is what you see here.

As I began to work, an idea occurred to me: since flowers and cottages are both so much a part of Carmel, why not launch a new series of paintings devoted to flower-themed cottages. This painting proudly features the morning glory – a lovely vining flower that, like myself, is drawn to the tranquil moods of morning light. Future paintings in this new series Flower Cottages of Carmel will accentuate the flowers featured in other gardens, such as here with Morning Glory Cottage. So, if you have a favorite flower, keep your eye out as new paintings come along!

It’s exciting to me that this is the first series of cottages based on real locations. In fact, when the series is complete (hopefully six to eight paintings) it would be possible for a collector to take a walking tour of locations featured in my paintings. But I don’t think I’ll supply a map – after all, the greatest enjoyment comes in stumbling upon these visual treasures for yourself!

To me, Ireland means tradition and stability — charming customs, love of family, a faith as enduring as the austere, ruggedly beautiful landscape itself. The Ireland I’ve portrayed in Emerald Isle Cottage is a land rooted in the earth, but touched by a heavenly light.

Thomas Kinkade

There is a wonderful hideaway I visit only in may art, bathed in a silvery light, ablaze with flowers of every hue and description, silent save for the murmur of gently rushing waters. The title of this painting is taken from The Bible – Psalm 23:2 – as Beside Still Waters is my vision of what the Garden of Eden must have been like.

As a Christian, I speculate on the mystery and wonder of God’s creation when nature was perfect and unspoiled. As an artist, I try to convey my own wonder at the richness and variety I still find in the natural world. I believe Eden to be a wonderful hideaway bathed in a silvery light, ablaze with flowers of every hue and description – a silent save for the murmur of gently rushing waters. I’m not sure to this day whether it’s a dream or a memory.

New paintings like my End of a Perfect Day express my growing appreciation for the real beauty of nature untamed. This rustic stone cabin is nestled in a glorious setting – a secluded jewel of a lake framed by distant mountains and a setting sun.

But my wild places show the charming and comfortable signs of a very human presence. A fireplace warms the living room, illuminating the overstuffed chair and mounted trophy animals glimpsed through open windows with fishing poles on the porch. When man and nature come together in harmony – that’s my ideal way to end a “perfect day.”

I guess I’m a hopeless romantic – but proud to be one! No series of mine makes that more clear than my Sweetheart Cottage Collection.  For the second painting in my Sweetheart Cottage Collection, I’ve conjured a vision of a perfect romantic hideaway. Sweetheart Cottage II, A Tranquil Dusk at Falbrooke Thatch is nestled right next to a charming little waterfall, with an arched footbridge leading from the front door over the falls. Twilight warms the mist; at nightfall, the sound of falling water will sing a gentle lullaby just for lovers.

This is just the kind of quaint cottage with its stone steps, tidy thatched roof, antique lampposts, and bower of bright flowers – where Nanette and I love to go for our frequent second honeymoons. I’ve devoted Falbrooke Thatch to Valentine’s Day – note the “214” address just below the heart-shaped window – and to romance. In fact, I’ve hidden hearts throughout the painting as a tribute to my own sweetheart, Nanette. The more hearts you can find, the more romantic you are.

This beautiful Victorian-era stone bridge is located on an idyllic stretch of stream that as once part of a large private estate and has been converted into an exclusive trout fishing club for gentlemen and ladies of means.

As I worked on this Broadwater Bridge, Thomashire, dapper-looking people carrying fly rods would occasionally walk by and tip their tweed caps at me. These charming people added a touch of grace to the tranquil setting!