Thom often pays tribute to his family in his paintings, by incorporating their image or initials into paintings. Collectors eagerly search Kinkade paintings with a keen eye, trying to locate all the hidden jewels he hides within his art, that refer to his family. In 1990, he began the tradition of hiding the letter "N" into his paintings, in honor of his wife, Nanette. In the lower corner of his paintings is a number, referring to the number of times the letter appears in the painting. Golden Gate Bridge contains the greatest number of these little tributes, totaling 156. Additionally, there is a note in a bottle floating atop of the waves. It is said to contain a love letter written from Thom to his wife.
Kinkade's popularity was on the rise, and the demand for personal appearances, was quickly rivaling the demand for his paintings. Kinkade frequently speaks to school, church and civic groups throughout California, and in 1990 he was the honored recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year from his county Chamber of Commerce for his abundant benevolence and community spirit. Kinkade is extremely generous of the artistic talents he has been given, and often shares them to create special commemorative prints which raises tens of thousands of dollars for charitable causes. His donation of art to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Christmas program, earned him their coveted Commander in Chief Award.
1991, brought a special request from a retired California politician, who  commissioned Thomas Kinkade for a painting of the capital building. Kinkade's love of the wilderness and it's landscapes had brought him fame, but few people knew of the excitement and joy he felt while in an urban atmosphere. He finds the basis of the areas that he paints - the people and inhabitants. It is from here that Thom begins his study, embracing the color and energy, before commencing to paint the surroundings that the people have built constructed them. Kinkade believes that an artist has an obligation to understand the people that live within the painting, before putting them to canvas.
Thomas Kinkade offered his first tribute to his longtime idol, Norman  Rockwell in 1991, with the release of Victorian Christmas I. Two years prior to this, he had been inducted to the Bradford International Hall of Fame for plate artists, along with Rockwell. He considered it an honor to be recognized beside an artist, whose work he had admired during his lifetime. It wouldn't be long before Thom would received an even greater honor - to be allowed to paint in Rockwell's studio in Arlington, Vermont. Thomas Kinkade is the only artist that has been given this opportunity, and he did not take the generous offer lightly. In 1995, he would again recognize Rockwell, this time in the painting Hometown Memories I.
With success has come the opportunity for travel, both within the United States and abroad. Thom is grateful for the opportunity to be able to bring his family along on his trips, for both the education they acquire and their sense of wonder that he finds inspiring. In 1993, Kinkade released Paris, City of Lights. This painting, is packed with many little hidden treasures. Hailing a cab, is his wife, Nanette, and daughter, Chandler. He has also hidden his anniversary date of 5-2-82, within the  painting. And located in the bottom left corner is Thomas, himself, doing what comes naturally - painting!
The following year, Sweetheart Cottage III was released. The backdrop for this romantic and tranquil painting came from his visit to the Austrian Alps. It is said that Kinkade "portrays people in terms of the places where they live. When he paints an ancient stone cottage or a stately manor house with its extensive gardens; he is, in a most important sense, actually portraying the generations who've occupied those places, repaired the walls, grown up the gardens, and given the homes their character."
Thomas Kinkade, continued...
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