Thomas Kinkade - "Painter of Light" - Dies

AP ^ | 4/7/12 | John S. Marshall

[boatbums]

California artist Thomas Kinkade, whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches were big sellers for dealers across the country, died Friday, a family spokesman said.

Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the San Francisco Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.

Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment.

The paintings generally depict tranquil scenes with lush landscaping and streams running nearby. Many contain images from Bible passages.

Kinkade, a self-described devout Christian, claimed to be the nation's most collected living artist. 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.

"I'm a warrior for light," he told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, in reference to his technical skills but also the medieval practice of using light to symbolize the divine. "With whatever talent and resources I have, I'm trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel."

[katiedidit1]

He left the world a more beautiful place. What a great artist. He attributed his talent to God.

[katiedidit1]

Oh yes. I always wanted to live in one of his magical cottages. So beautiful and the magic of the lights in all his works. He shared a great gift with the world.

[boatbums]

Rest in peace, Mr. Kinkade. May the Lord grace your family with comfort and peace during this time and console them with the knowledge that you will be together again one day.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

They forgot to mention that besides his beautiful paintings, Mr. Kinkade was also the manager of the Patridge family.

[cherry]

54 is way too young....the good do indeed seem to die young, witness I'm still around and am older than TK....lol...

God speed Mr. Kincaide...God speed....

[Albion Wilde]

Earlier thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2869173/posts

[zigmeisterxiv]

Can I shill for my sister’s work???

http://www.artupstairs.com/

aloha

zig

[katiedidit1]

[mowowie]

:)

[Yaelle]

I definitely wish I was walking along that snowy street going to that Christmas party. Wow. I never paid attention to his work before. Nice.

RIP.

[Psalm 144]

Nice! Very strong compositions, and she really conveys a sense of place. Thanks for sharing that site.

[RedStateRocker]

Very nice.
Thanks for sharing

[Erasmus]

That’s a nice departure from the snow-covered-cozily-lit-cottage-by-the-stream theme.

[boatbums]

I did a search for “Kinkade” before I posted this and nothing but a post from 2010 showed up. Honest! Maybe this one can be the “nice” thread. :o)

[GOP Poet]

ironic he died on good Friday.

[zigmeisterxiv]

thank you ...

z

[stpio]

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

[LetMarch]

Beautiful Pictures, Post and Articles! Thanks!

Thomas Kinkade was to these decades as was Nowman Rockwell in our decades (us 70+; I’m 78)

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15)

[HarleyD]

We loved his paintings as well until we talked to some of the dealers. Apparently he would force dealers into selling his inventory. In many cases some of the dealers went bankrupted. We never bought a Kinkade and after that I could never bring myself to consider purchasing one.

I don't understand Christians who act this way. In the end, we take nothing with us as he has just found out.

Thomas Kinkade Lawsuit

[marygam]

That was not lost on me either. Heaven needed a good Artist I guess.