|
|
|
JANUARY |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
*Click on the day of the month for the daily quote.*
When I am loving today, I am sending out my light to touch tomorrow's stars. But that brings me to a paradox, a mystery of time and eternity. Simply put: we can aim for the eternal, but we can act only in the present moment....Thomas Kinkade.
The month of January is totally dedicated to Thomas Kinkade, known as the "Painter of Light." All of the pictures on the daily quotes are Thomas Kinkade prints and the quotes on each day are taken from his book Lightposts For Living. I was first attracted to Thomas Kinkade simply through his artwork. His paintings seem to be inviting....which is just what Kinkade desires. He wants his paintings to have a sense of life. He paints cottages and houses with windows aglow with light....so that the viewer can feel the anticipation inside of a warm reunion with loved ones....a sort of coming home feel. As I began to research his personal life, I have enjoyed his prints even more. His words in his books are so inspirational. He has a joy for living and a heart to love. Thomas Kinkade is possibly the best known living modern day American artist. He is a "devout Christian and credits the Lord for both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings." He is much more than an artist however. When he was sitting in a college class many years ago, listening to his professor expound on what is important as an artist, he had a wonderful revelation. His professor said it doesn't matter who else loves your paintings....you are painting for yourself.....in the words of his professor...."Your art is all about you. It doesn't matter if anyone else appreciates it. It doesn't matter if anyone else enjoys it. It doesn't matter if anyone else understands it. All that is important is you." Kinkade rebelled. In the words of Thomas Kinkade...."Suddenly, I realized that the self-centered, self-serving artistic approach I was being taught was just the opposite of what I wanted my life and my art to be about. And at that moment, a different philosophy began to form itself in my mind, one that has driven my life and career ever since. My art, I realized, is not about me; it's about you. I paint because the act of creation brings me pleasure, but I also paint to benefit and enrich the life experience of others. I realized that my life and my talent are gifts, and they have been given to me for the purpose of helping others. So what I wanted to do as a painter was not just express myself, but to create pictures that people from all backgrounds could understand and appreciate, that spoke a universal language of beauty and serenity. I wanted, through my art and through my life, to make somebody's life a little better and brighter." Thomas Kinkade is not only a painter, but the author of many books. All through his writings you will feel the excitement he has for sharing himself with others. He believes thankfulness is all important to happiness. And he thinks that "keeping a spark of romance in your heart is one of the more important keys to living a joyful life." He feels that romance "adds a radiant sunrise to every aspect of living. To be romantic, in other words, is quite simply to allow yourself to fall in love with life-all of life-and experience it fully, openly, passionately, and purposefully. That kind of romance might not be everything, but I believe it's an essential part of a joyful life." Thomas Kinkade loves life. This passage taken from his book Simpler Times sums up his feelings so beautifully...."My most important legacy, the one that can carry my little light onward toward the stars, will be the contribution I make to the lives of other human beings--because my faith in God affirms that human souls are the only things in this life that continue forever. Material things are subject to moth and rust and death, but according to the Bible human souls are eternal. And therefore my true heritage must be my loving contribution to other human souls. That belief and my personal Christian faith keeps my family at the top of my list of priorities, because my family members are the family members I touch most often and most deeply. After all, if my wife and children are eternal beings, then the way I treat them will have eternal consequences. This, even more than my paintings, will keep my light shining and help me reach the stars." Thomas Kinkade encourages us with his paintings and his words to make our life a canvas....his words are...."You may not be skilled with paints and brushes, but you are still involved in creating an intricate, beautifully crafted work of art: your life. With every moment that you experience, every choice you make, you are adding brushstrokes to the canvas. More important, you are determining what kind of message your artwork will convey to the world. Your life can radiate the kind of light that truly makes a difference in the world....let your light shine!" I hope this month's Kinkade paintings and quotes will bring joy to all of you who visit. And just as Kinkade my hope for you is to fall in love with Kinkade and ultimately....life!!!
Quote of the Day Archive Favorite Songs Inspirational Poems & Stories