The artist, one of America's most-collected living artists, passed away at his home in Monte Sereno, California on Friday (06Apr12).

His family attributed his death to natural causes and an autopsy is to be conducted on Monday (09Apr12).

His wife Nanette Kinkade says in a statement, ""Thom provided a wonderful life for his family. We are shocked and saddened by his death.""

Kinkade, who hailed himself as a ""painter of light"", was best known for his serene and sentimental paintings of cottages and seascapes.

His body of work has been heavily criticised by art experts, but Kinkade was thought to earn as much as $100 million (£62.5 million) in annual sales.