Artist Thomas Kinkade, best known as the “Painter of Light” for his tranquil and idyllic landscapes paintings, sadly passed away at his home in Los Gatos, California on Friday (April 6). The 54 year-old apparently died of natural causes.

“I’m a warrior for light,” he told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002. “With whatever talent and resources I have, I’m trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel.”

“I try to create paintings that are a window for the imagination,” Kinkade said on his website. “If people look at my work and are reminded of the way things once were or perhaps the way they could be, then I’ve done my job.”

“Thomas Kinkade, the celebrated ‘Painter of Light’ is one of the most widely collected and beloved artists of our day,” Kinkade’s website states. “Each year millions of people are drawn to the luminous light and tranquil mood of Kinkade’s paintings and include his creations in their lives through prints, books, and other fine collectibles.”

Thomas is survived by his wife Nanette Kinkade and four daughters.