Painter Thomas Kinkade, whose works of luminescent, homespun scenes captivated millions of Americans, died at his home in Northern California at age 54.

The self-described "Painter of Light" died alone on Friday at his residence in Los Gatos, a small town about 45 miles south of San Francisco, from what appeared to be natural causes, family spokesman David Satterfield told Reuters.

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

Kinkade, one of the most successful painters of all time, produced sentimental scenes of country gardens and pastoral landscapes in dewy morning light that were beloved by many but criticized by the art establishment. Many contain images from Bible passages, The Associated Press reported.

He claimed to be the nation's most collected living artist, and his paintings and spin-off products were said to fetch some $100 million a year in sales, and to be in 10 million homes in the United States, according to the AP.

But the aspects of his works that won Kinkade legions of fans were seen by some critics as tacky, or worse, Reuters reported.

Essayist Joan Didion lambasted Kinkade's works for their "insistent coziness," which she found "sinister, suggestive of a trap designed to attract Hansel and Gretel. Every window was lit, to lurid effect, as if the interior of the structure might be on fire," according to Reuters.

He grew up in a trailer in the Northern California city of Placerville, which he often rendered in his art as an idyllic community of friendly citizens. After hitting upon the formula for inspirational landscapes and village scenes, he and his wife put their modest savings into publishing the first reproductions of his paintings in 1984. They sold 1,000 copies for $35 each and never looked back, the Los Angeles Times reported.