Nancy L. Haydon

From Painting to Counted Cross Stitch: Thomas Kinkade

There is an art in turning a painting into counted cross stitch. Thomas Kinkade, one of todays most celebrated living artists, inspired Californian company, Candamar, to create beautiful needlework designs based on his pictures.

Known as the "Painter of light" Kinkade, a devout Christian, creates atmospheric paintings of an earlier era which carry inspirational messages. He considers his paintings a way to reach into the lives of others and bring back nostaligic memories of days gone by.

An award winning artist, living in California, Kinkade is married with four daughters. Each one of his paintings contains a hidden letter "N" as a love note to his wife, and childhood sweetheart, Nanette. His daughters are also often depicted in his work.

His use of colour to depict light is transferred to counted cross stitch by the use of special reflective threads from Kreinik. Whether the landscape is touched by "heavenly light" as in Emerald Isle Cottage or lit by gas lamps as in Lamplight Bridge, his paintings, and the kits, capture the fleeting quality of light perfectly. You can enjoy the warm glow of sunset or almost feel the crispness of the newly fallen snow as you stitch.

The cross stitch kits depict scenery such as cottages, gardens, gazebos, bridges, churches, villages, cityscapes, seascapes and lighthouses.

Sometimes the scenes have grown from his fertile imagination, as did Everett's Cottage, named after one of his daughters and presented to her on her first birthday. Other designs are based on real places, such as the English Cotswolds featured in his Cobblestone Lane series, or cities such as San Francisco and Paris. As you form the crosses you are magically transported to far off places and the simple pleasures of times past.

In addition to the pictures on offer in regular counted cross stitch, Thomas Kinkade artwork is also available in the form of stamped kits, where the background is painted onto 14 count Aida and the cross stitched areas, making up around one third of the design, have a stunning 3D effect.

Yes! Cross Stitch patterns created from Thomas Kinkade paintings are complex, but their staggering appeal and stunning beauty more than justify the expense in both time and money. Stitch youself a counted cross stitch Thomas Kinkade pattern and you'll have a real masterpiece that you can display with genuine pride as a central focal point in your home.