Thomas Kinkade has been dubbed the "Painter of Light" due to the fact that most of his work focuses on light. From lighthouses, to lights in the windows, to lights on the street, to the light of the sun going down in the evening or coming up in the morning ... Kinkade is adequately named.

But have you ever thought about how the paintings make you "feel"? What they actually "do" to your spirit ... to your well-being? Don't they just give you a sense of peace, having a calming nature about them?

The artist himself has said "And one of the messages I try to constantly get across is slow it down and enjoy every moment." So while he may not have been given the title of "Painter of Peace", it is obviously a message he tries to convey in his art.

Where there may be rough seas, the lighthouse presents a feeling of security. Where there may be crime and evil in the world, the sceneries he portrays provide a mental getaway that can almost seem physical. A restful country cottage, a cabin in the woods, a chapel at sunrise ... each one creates a sense of peace in the viewing of it.

If you're having a rough day and need to unwind, almost any of Thomas Kinkade's paintings will help calm you down. Here are a few ideas you might consider.

Why not hang a Kinkade on the wall across from your sofa or your bed so you can just sit down or lay down for a few minutes and let all your tension and frustration dissipate? Just focus on the restful scene and you'll start to feel the stresses of life flow away and become less pressing.

Or maybe have one of the many Thomas Kinkade prints hanging in the hallway near the door that you come in each evening after work. Whether you come in through the front door or through the garage, you can hang a small print near the door. Then just take a few minutes to view the painting, and relax and unwind before getting further into the house.

So if you need a way to slow down at the end of your hectic day, why not get one of the many affordable Thomas Kinkade prints and spend just a few minutes enjoying God's beauty that is so eloquently portrayed by this human artist. You'll be surprised at the sense of peace this can bring to you, rejuvenating you for the rest of your day or helping you unwind for a restful night of sleep.