My Recent Record Day on Shop NBC

Last week, I had an opportunity to help Shop NBC launch the first-ever show featuring my artwork and it was a great experience. The show received more responses than ever before, as an unprecedented number of customers called in to the Shop NBC studio in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, during the times I was on their special Collector’s Day Event. I am so thrilled by the phenomenal response—it’s both humbling and exhilarating at the same time. I always love talking to collectors from all over the country. They're so gracious and it offers me a unique perspective directly from my collectors that I appreciate. My next appearance on Shop NBC will be on July 24th, for a show called “Christmas in July.” Stay tuned.

Battles at Gettysburg

One of the biggest thrills of my journey to Gettysburg had to be witnessing the annual Gettysburg Civil War battle reenactment, held every year on the Fourth of July weekend. Featuring five separate battles, live mortar fire demonstrations, including 13,000 reenactors in full Civil War garb, 500 mounted canons and a slew of tents in Sutler Village featuring continuous programs, these reenactments are authentic and inspirational, giving everyone viewing them and participating a real idea of what it must have been like to actually be there 146 years ago.

My Weekend at Gettysburg

My visit to Gettysburg this past weekend was a wonderful experience in so many ways. As I walked through the Gettysburg National History Park on the Fourth of July, I couldn’t help but reflect on the historical significance of the moment.

The Battle of Gettysburg took place during the first four days of July 1863 and was the turning point of the Civil War. When the Union was victorious, it ended Robert E. Lee’s second invasion of the North and marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.

On November 19th, 1863 Abraham Lincoln gave one of the greatest speeches of all time at Gettysburg, when in two minutes he artfully re-defined the purpose of the Union in fighting the Civil War.

I hope you enjoy these photos which I took of the battlefield at Gettysburg.

Reflections on Independence Day

Being in Gettysburg on the Fourth of July brings back great memories of two of my patriotic images. The first one that comes to mind is America's Pride, the first piece in my new 'Flags Over America' collection, which features the same dramatic sky and waving flag seen in my previous painting, while below I pay tribute to the most patriotic of all American cities - our nation's capitol.

Then, there's Heading Home, another painting that reminds me of this time of year. In this image, the soldier is alone ... as he is never alone in battle. The weight of all he has seen and done, of the pain he has borne and the trials he has overcome bear down on his broad shoulders. The soldier's personal war is over: he is Heading Home. I did not choose to show the warrior's face in my painting of the homecoming veteran. The hero of Heading Home is not an individual at all; he is the essence of the American soldier. We cannot tell whether he returns from Normandy, from Saigon, from Beirut. In a sense, he has spilled his blood on all those fields of honor. Like all of us, the soldier walks the path of his life and finds himself under God's watchful eye, alone. He is bathed in a golden light that can only be called "heavenly." Like all God's children, his ultimate destination is a heavenly home, where he can know the sweet peace of divine love. We cannot know whether he is Heading Home to hearth and family, to the pleasures of domestic love and a joyful reunion, or whether he may be returning instead to the bliss of heaven, which is the perfection of those earthly pleasures. We can only wish him a joyful homecoming, and say a sublime word of thanks to the hero's of every generation!

The Greatest American Holiday is Almost Here

It’s almost the Fourth of July--a wonderful day of parades, family, fireworks, BBQ’s and the Red White & Blue. No other holiday is more American than the Fourth of July!

And what better place to be then Gettysburg? That’s right—I’m here for s series of very special events, including the Grand Opening of the “The Thomas Kinkade Cottage” at Boyds Bear Country.

Here’s part of my schedule for this Independence Weekend:

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - July 4th & 5th
The Folks at Boyds Bear Country are proud to announce the Grand Opening of "The Thomas Kinkade Cottage" at Boyds Bear Country. To celebrate this special event, they've got a whole weekend of events planned that you won't want to miss. More information at boydsbearcountry.com
Call (866) 367-8338 for tickets and details.

Harrisburg, PA - July 5th
Come to a very special afternoon at Kathie's Christmas for a personal appearance and signing event to celebrate the release of my latest Masterwork, Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland. Space is limited!
Call (717) 561-2220 for more details.

It's Finally Here!

Well, the guessing is over and my newest Disney Dreams painting is finally here. It's called Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland. It was a pleasure to paint and the big news is the limited edition canvas is already completely sold out--the fastest ever--which means that your nearest Thomas Kinkade gallery is now THE place to get this image.

We received so many guesses to our clues over the past few weeks-and got everything from Song of the South to Bambi. Thanks to all of you who took a shot at it. The response to the painting has been phenomenal. I am humbled by the incredible reaction to this classic Disney image.

The Final Clues

Have you guessed the name of my newest Disney Dreams painting? If not, don't fret, because here are three more interesting clues about the main subject of my latest image:

-She originally appeared in a stage play by J.M. Barrie in 1904 and then later in the 1911 Barrie novel, Peter & Wendy.

-She also appeared in a book series called Peter & the Starcatchers by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry.

-Her small size prevents her from holding more than one feeling at a time, thus explaining her sudden mood swings.

Stay tuned for the big upcoming announcement.