Original Thomas Kinkade Gallery, Placerville Shop That Was First to Feature the Northern California Artist's Work, Is Going Out of Business

A Northern California shop that was the first to feature the work of artist Thomas Kinkade and helped popularize the self-proclaimed "Painter of Light'' is going out of business.

The Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday that the 24-year-old Thomas Kinkade Gallery in downtown Placerville will start selling off its inventory of Kinkade paintings, mugs, night lights and blankets at an invitation-only closing sale scheduled for Thursday.

The Bee says the gallery's owners told customers in a letter that they decided to close up shop only after careful consideration, but did not give a reason for the decision.

Kinkade grew up in Placerville and his earliest artwork portrayed the town as he imagined it looked at the turn of the 20th Century. He died at his California home in 2012 from what the coroner called an accidental overdose.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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