The Real Meaning Behind the “N” in Thomas Kinkade Paintings

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Thomas Kinkade is the famed “Painter of Light.” He loved to share his passion for art and his creative process with other people, hoping to make viewers happy with the scenes he created. Thom believed in supporting artist development and exchanging ideas with artists. Through this collaborative environment, Thom passed down his methods and imparted the techniques, concepts, and vision for his signature Kinkadian style. This cohort of creatives is collectively known as Thomas Kinkade Studios.

Today, the artists of the Thomas Kinkade Studios apply many of the same techniques created and used by Thom during his lifetime — from sketching to digital and oil brushwork, to image recapture and his use of light. Over time, these mastered skills have evolved into a Kinkadian style of art adored by art collectors around the world.

There’s more to Kinkade’s personal paintings than an expert use of light and color, though. Like many artists, Kinkade imbued personal meaning and emotional significance into his artwork. This was done with color and technique, yes, but also some hidden symbols. In particular, there is a hidden letter “N” found in quite a number of his idyllic works. But what does the N stand for in Thomas Kinkade paintings? Find out below.

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The “N” in Kinkade Paintings Stands for Nanette

If you look closely at Thomas Kinkade’s paintings, you’ll find the letter “N” nestled into nature, swept into the scenery, and living in the light. This creative Easter egg has led many admirers of his art to question why it’s there. What does the “N” stand for in Kinkade’s works? Is it for the “N” in Kinkade? Or something else entirely?

Honestly, the real reason is really, really romantic — we have butterflies in our stomachs just writing about it. The hidden “N”s are a tribute to Thomas Kinkade’s wife, Nanette. It is the first initial of her first name! Thomas Kinkade immortalized her, and his love for her, in countless artworks. There are some pieces, such as “Hometown Morning”, that feature the letter over 10 times. In the painting “Garden of Prayer,” Kinkade also painted a serene visitor approaching in the distance. Any guesses who the faraway figure is? You get one chance to answer because this trivia question is on super easy mode.

5282 – AKA the Hidden Numbers

Thomas Kinkade’s touching tributes couldn’t stop at a single letter, though! Numerous other paintings also include the number sequence 5282. This numerical mystery is a little tougher to unravel. After all, many numbers are significant to many people for multiple reasons. For Thomas Kinkade, however, 5282 was a meaningful brushstroke of remembrance for his and Nanette’s wedding date. That’s right — Thomas and Nanette Kinkade were married on May 2, 1982. So the 5 is for the month of May, the 2 stands for the second of the month, and ’82 is of course an abbreviated version of the full year.

He often even snuck references to other family members, such as his own father and his daughters, into his works. These details can be seen on mailboxes, boats, sign posts, and integrated with the scenery in clever ways.

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About Thomas Kinkade

In the very beginning of his artistic career, Thomas Kinkade (1958 – 2012) put his entire life savings into the printing of his first lithograph. Though at the time he was already an acclaimed illustrator, Thom found that he was inspired not by fame and fortune, but by the simple act of painting straight from the heart, putting on canvas the natural wonders and images that moved him most.

Thom’s dearest wish had always been that his artwork would be a messenger of hope and inspiration to others — a message to slow down, appreciate the little details in life, and to look for beauty in the world around us. As millions of collectors around the world sit back and enjoy his artwork in their homes, there is no doubt that Thomas Kinkade had indeed achieved his goal of “Sharing the Light.”

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Kinkade Studios Art at Sideshow

Collectors can see the iconic Kinkadian style in artworks available at Sideshow inspired by Disney, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars™, DC, Marvel, and many more. This signature style lends itself beautifully to dramatic pieces meant to instill strong emotions like hope, awe, and wonder in the viewer. Modern artists often tip their own hats to Thomas Kinkade with Easter eggs of the initials “TK” hidden in their works. How many can you spot? Explore Thomas Kinkade art prints at Sideshow today and find out.

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Did you know about the hidden “N” in Kinkade’s famous works? If not, now you do. You’ll be looking for them everywhere! See if you can spot them in Thomas Kinkade’s paintings from now on.

Then, play along to find the letters and numbers with other fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!