68 of 193

|

Soldiers make a profession of traveling to foreign lands and fighting battles for country, honor and to protect our way of life. But eventually every battle must come to an end and with it the glorious and joyous event of the troops returning to their families and loved ones - finally coming home. In Homecoming Hero, I envision a simple country setting containing all the elements of home that soldiers from every branch of the military have always fought for, regardless of their place in history-security, peace, tranquility, family and community life. My inspiration for this image came from Norman Rockwell's The Homecoming Marine, the most collected cover in the rich history of the Saturday Evening Post. The homecoming soldier is greeted by his family, reminding us that life can once more return to normal. In today's world, our hope is that our soldiers will be coming home soon as well, and that their homecoming will be as joyous as the one depicted in Homecoming Hero.

In the very beginning of his artistic career, Thomas Kinkade 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. Throughout his life Thomas Kinkade shared his joy and used his paints in support of hospitals, schools, and humanitarian relief. Though the recipient of countless awards and honors, it was Thom’s profound sense of purpose that his art was not just an accessory, but also a ministry, that continues on as his legacy. From custom images that were sold for The Salvation...