Artist Thomas Kinkade's signature shows up on NEW paintings nearly a year after his death

  • The self-described 'Painter of Light' died in April 2012 of an alcohol and drug overdose
  • The 'Thomas Kinkade Studios' are producing new paintings that closely resemble his technique
  • The paintings are produced by a group of artists who studied under Kinkade

The famous artist Thomas Kinkade's signature has been appearing on new paintings, despite his death last year.

That's because a group of artists who studied under his tutelage are producing paintings which so closely resemble Kinkade's technique that it's nearly impossible to tell them apart from his original work - except that the new paintings are stamped with the word 'studios' beneath his famous signature.

Thomas Kinkade Studios 'continues in the path that Thom himself started and developed,' according to the company's website.

The famous artist Thomas Kinkade's signature has been appearing on new paintings, despite his death last year

The famous artist Thomas Kinkade's signature has been appearing on new paintings, despite his death last year

A group of artists who studied under Kinkade's tutelage are producing paintings which so closely resemble his technique that it's nearly impossible to tell them apart. This painting is by Kinkade

A group of artists who studied under Kinkade's tutelage are producing paintings which so closely resemble his technique that it's nearly impossible to tell them apart. This painting is by Kinkade

This was painted by the Thomas Kinkade Studios. Since Kinkade's death in April 2012, the artist's company has continued to release works bearing his trademarked signature, with one small addition: the word 'studios.'

This was painted by the Thomas Kinkade Studios. Since Kinkade's death in April 2012, the artist's company has continued to release works bearing his trademarked signature, with one small addition: the word 'studios.'

Rather than reproducing  Kinkade's art, these 'Kinkadian' artists are actually creating new scenes that Kincade never painted by employing his brush and color techniques and focusing, just as he did, on artificial and natural light.

'Thomas Kinkade Studios carries on the Kinkadian tradition to create art that will stand the test of time and be treasured for the ages,' according to the website.

Kinkade died in April of 2012 at the age of 54 from a drug and alcohol overdose. Following his death, his widow Nanette Kinkade and girlfriend Amy Pinto fought over the artist's $66 million estate.

Kinkade, who had four daughters, started dating Pinto six months after his marriage of 28 years imploded.

Kinkade is seen painting the 2007 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York

Kinkade is seen painting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York in 2007

On the left is Thomas Kinkade's signature and on the right is how his signature appears on paintings produced by other artists in the likeness of his technique

On the left is Thomas Kinkade's signature and on the right is how his signature appears on paintings produced by other artists in the likeness of his technique

Rather than reproducing  Kinkade's art, these 'Kinkadian' artists are actually creating new scenes that Kincade never painted

Rather than reproducing Kinkade's art, these 'Kinkadian' artists are actually creating new scenes that Kincade never painted

'Thomas Kinkade Studios carries on the Kinkadian tradition to create art that will stand the test of time and be treasured for the ages,' according to the studio's website

'Thomas Kinkade Studios carries on the Kinkadian tradition to create art that will stand the test of time and be treasured for the ages,' according to the studio's website

Pinto claimed Kinkade wrote two notes bequeathing her his mansion and $10 million to establish a museum of his paintings.

The barely legible note read: ‘I, Thomas Kinkade, being of sound mind and body do hereby bequeath to Amy Pinto $10,000,000 in cash from my corporate policy.’

He also wrote that Pinto should have his two properties on Ridgecrest Avenue ‘for her security'. It is signed and dated November 18, 2011.

Nanette Kinkade disputed those claims and sought full control of the estate.

Family: The artist's wife Nanette, pictured right with their four daughters, said her husband provided his family with a 'wonderful life'

Family: The artist's wife Nanette, pictured right with their four daughters, took her late husband's girlfriend to court to keep her from getting a share of Kinkade's estate

Painter of light: Mr Kinkade's talent, shown here in Living Waters: Golfer's Paradise, Hole One is a characteristic of his serene style that put roughly one of his paintings in every 20 homes

Painter of light: Mr Kinkade's talent, shown here in Living Waters: Golfer's Paradise, Hole One is a characteristic of his serene style that put roughly one of his paintings in every 20 homes

Father: Mr Kinkade, pictured here drawing his daughter Winsor, was said by his brother to have been cleaning himself up to remain in his children's lives Father: Mr Kinkade, pictured here drawing his daughter Winsor, was said by his brother to have been cleaning himself up to remain in his children's lives

The women came to a settlement in December, the details of which were not disclosed.

Kinkade, the self-described 'Painter of Light,' was known for sentimental scenes of country gardens and pastoral landscapes.

His work led to a commercial empire of franchised galleries, reproduced artwork and spin-off products that was said to fetch some $100 million each year in sales.

It is estimated that one in every 20 homes in American contains a piece an artwork by the 'Painter of Light.'

Thomas Kinkade Passed Away Aged 54
Thomas Kinkade

Success: Mr Kinkade's works were popular, but his battle with alcoholism led him to an arrest for DUI (right)


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