American Artist Thomas Kinkade Dies at Age 54

A family spokesman says California artist Thomas Kinkade, known for scenes of cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, has died. He was 54.

David Satterfield says Kinkade died Friday at his home in Los Gatos of what appeared to be natural causes.

Kinkade's sentimental paintings were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment. His paintings and spin-off products were said to fetch some $100 million a year in sales, and to be in 10 million homes in the United States.

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