Art Notes

On coastlines around the world, you will find lighthouses that cast a strong reliable beacon to guide sailors to the safety of their home port. Thomas Kinkade Studios proudly presents Returning Home, a painting that reflects the end of a journey, be it a short or long passage of time, and the feeling of joy that comes with reuniting with family and friends.

On any voyage, true happiness is only fully achieved when one finally returns home. In Returning Home, the viewer can imagine a loved one sitting on the bench overlooking the ocean or the sounds of home, like children playing on the majestic tree swing in the yard. The ebb of the surf washing ashore and the welcoming beacon of the lighthouse evoke a sense of peace, assuring the traveler that they are in the safe harbors of home.

Wherever you are in life, Returning Home is meant to be a source of hope and reminder that home is always near, with friends and family there to love and welcome you.

Key Points

• Returning Home was inspired by an original sketch created by Thomas Kinkade in February of 1998. For Thomas Kinkade, his house was a home for his heart, and he found true joy each time he came home to his family.
• Lighthouses in Thomas Kinkade paintings have always been symbolic of hope and guideposts in life, helping people to find their way home in challenging times. Thomas Kinkade Studios carries on Thom’s tradition of providing comfort and peace in creating art like Returning Home.
• In this painting, the sailboat navigating the waves is symbolic of a traveler making their way home, parallel to a person navigating the challenges of life. With the welcoming thoughts of friends, family, and home always nearby, the traveler can overcome the trials of life to find ultimate happiness.
• In addition to lighthouses, light posts have also always been traditional symbols of hope in Thomas Kinkade paintings. How many light posts can you find in Returning Home?