Most of us have, at one point, gazed into a picturesque Thomas Kinkade painting and been transported momentarily to a simple and beautiful place. Art has a way of suspending our disbelief long enough to inspire us.

Kinkade's search for art and its meaning is the focus of Christmas Cottage, a new film by director Michael Campus. Based on true events in the life of the "painter of light," the film tells the story of a young Kinkade returning to his hometown from college one Christmas to find his mother in severe financial trouble and the town in need of a breath of inspiration. As he struggles to find his own vision as a young man and an artist, Kinkade accepts the job of painting the town's mural in an effort to boost holiday tourism and rebrand the sleepy town. Inspired by Glenn Wessels, a famous artist living next door to him, Kinkade begins to realize why he paints, and throughout the course of the film finds his unique vision and calling to bring light to others through art.

Jared Padalecki gives an earnest portrayal of the artist, capturing both the eagerness and the vulnerability of Kinkade at this crucial period in his life. Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia) portrays artist Wessels in another masterful performance by the legendary actor. With a film acting career that spans almost five decades, O'Toole's intensity and sheer talent shine through in every scene. Marcia Gay Harden is Kinkade's mother, resolute and loving. Rounding out the cast is a host of colorful actors, including Geoffrey Lewis, Chris Elliot, Richard Moll, Gina Holden, and Edward Asner, playing equally colorful roles.

In John 8:12, Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." One of the major themes of Christmas Cottage is light. Young Kinkade attends a candlelight service with his mother on Christmas Eve. He realizes that "in a vast, black night, even a little light shines brightly." In this, Kinkade finds his trademark, the thing that sets him apart from other painters.

Now, after more than twenty years of professional work, Kinkade has sold millions of paintings, depicting everything from the cross of Jesus to America's most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park. Through creative marketing, including licensing with Hallmark, Kinkade's paintings have graced hundreds of products, including puzzles, candles, CDs, and blankets, not to mention the walls of avid collectors. According to a 2003 brand awareness study, one in ten homes in America feature some form of Kinkade's art or licensed product. Kinkade's idyllic paintings have captured the imagination of millions, and with Christmas Cottage, we get a first-hand account of how Kinkade's own imagination was inspired to create beautiful, lasting art that celebrates light and, ultimately, the Source of light.