In Thomas Kinkade’s painting “Hometown Morning,” the boy on the bicycle being chase by a dog is the young artist himself, who met his childhood sweetheart and future wife, Nanette, while on his paper route. Kinkade’s idol, Norman Rockwell, also makes an appearance as the pipe-smoking driver of the car on the left. The artist also gives cameo roles to his hometown neighborhos, including Mrs. Reece, who baked delicious cookies; Big Jim, who built the brightest Christmas display on the block; and Pete, who owned the barbershop around the corner. In describing the work, Kinkade says, “I’ve established–at least to my own satisfaction–that you can go home again.”