Lake Arrowhead by Thomas Kinkade ~ Published December, 2006 - Just as most people travel with a camera, I often travel with paints and canvas. I never know when a spectacular vista or a dramatic sky may tempt me to set to work in God's glorious outdoors.

I painted Lake Arrowhead on a brisk fall afternoon when the air was crystal clear and the sky a dazzling blue. The lake is a sapphire gem set among rugged hills; the deep blue-green of pine and spruce contrasts with the gold of scattered maples in their autumn glory. A gentle breeze ruffles the surface of the lake, sending swells into the stone breakwater.

The Lake Arrowhead Lodge is a classic mountain inn that is every bit as comfortable as it looks. Its red gabled roof mirrors the contours of the surrounding hills; its rugged breakwater provides a dramatic backdrop for the pounding surf. Colorful beach umbrellas line the shore, offering guests a comfortable vantage point from which to savor the rhythm of the waves.

The resort offers a lake cruise that my family especially enjoyed. In my painting, the historic paddle-wheel boat is secured to one of the concrete piers that jut out into the lake, but we liked it best when we were on deck, tasting the spray as the boat splashed through the azure waves of Lake Arrowhead. - Thomas Kinkade

Key Points

1. Lake Arrowhead is located in the mountains of Southern California, just 90 miles east of Los Angeles. Nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, this popular vacation spot is a paradise of outdoor recreation and year-round beauty.

2. Lake Arrowhead was painted en plein air, or in the open air, and has been released as part of the Thomas Kinkade's Impressionist Collection.

3. The area takes its name from an unusual rock formation on the face of San Bernardino Mountain near Arrowhead Hot Springs, that takes the form of an arrowhead.

4. Sometimes called the Alps of Southern California, Lake Arrowhead has been a popular spot for rest and relaxation since the 1920's.During the war years,Lake Arrowhead Village was a popular rest and recuperation area for service men.

5. Thom has included the historic paddlewheel boats that are always found touring the lake in his painting Lake Arrowhead.