Controversial Utah artist’s new painting pays tribute to ‘contemporary abolitionists,’[snip]

sltrib.com ^ | 12.02.2017 | Ellen Fagg Weist

[Daffynition]

When Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard looks at the latest artwork by conservative political painter Jon McNaughton, he gets emotional.

Painted into “The Underground Railroad” are Ballard and his wife, depicted carrying children they helped rescue from sex trafficking.

[huldah1776]

So with the painting bringing out the response that white men have a savior complex, do they want to undo everything from before the civil war? Let’s legally say it never happened. Is that what they want?

[Daffynition]

To rewrite history. I believe that is their goal.

[Daffynition]

The alt-left sullies everything it touches. Our recent history is a perfect example. Ben Garrison has fun with it.

[avenir]

Give me Garrison any day over this “painter of light” style SCHLOCK.

[Utah Binger]

“painter of light” style SCHLOCK.

Sad day when Freepers think subjects interpreted by this total lightweight is art worthy. Very disappointing. Worse than Kinkade. Among art circles here in Utah he is a total joke. And if Hannity bought a painting it reaffirms what a lightweight he is as well.

[Albion Wilde]

Well, aren’t you two special. Perhaps it’s not “art”, but rather illustration, like Norman Rockwell; and people are responding to the symbolism and the message rather than the aesthetic.

[MileHi]

Among art circles here in Utah he is a total joke.

Sounds like art circles in Utah are a joke.

[Utah Binger]

Groan....Rockwell is rolling over in his grave.

[Utah Binger]

Typical leftist response. Can’t discuss the issues so attack the messenger.

[avenir]

"Well, aren’t you two special."

Lol, not really. I like tacky stuff, too.

I bought this "Triple Elvis" print of a panel in a 22-piece Warhol installation called "Elvis"(1963).All the pieces were to be side-by-side, at Warhol's request. A critic at the time wrote:

"Toe to toe, repeated atop one another, poor Elvis becomes as thin and hazy as the idyllic illusion he publicly symbolizes; the assembly line produces the emptiness and sterility of soulless, over-managed puppetry."

Ouch. Meanwhile, Christie's sold one of the panels for $81.9 million in 2014. There's no accounting for taste. I just don't personally like this other guy's paintings past the first two I saw. Went to his website and it's a Kincaide-style schlock factory, lol. I'm sure he's crying all the way to the bank!

[MileHi]

Yep, I’m a leftist. (that’s what you got?) The mans work is good, lifelike with important messages. I suppose leftist art snobs don’t like it though.

[Daffynition]

If his style doesn’t remind one of Thomas Kincade, nothing will.

His subject matter is much more compelling than Kincade.

IMO, McNaughton is no Norman Rockwell. :)

[Daffynition]

There are *art circles* in Utah?

Gracious.

[Albion Wilde]

I agree, not as skilled as Rockwell. But probably a great deal less progressive than the New Englander Rockwell, also. The response is to the message. Try regarding it as a hybrid of a graphic novel; you’ll feel better.

[Chickensoup]

My understanding of Norman Rockwell though his biographies, and his museum is that he was a rock ribbed conservative.

[Albion Wilde]

it's a Kincaide-style schlock factory, lol. I'm sure he's crying all the way to the bank!

Yep; there's never been any accounting for taste. But the heart behind it is definitely a step ahead of velvet Elvises. Maybe a bit behind Warhol Elvises, tho.

Here was my purchase from the same era (cheap litho print; not a numbered photo print): The Beatles by Richard Avedon:

At the time, we thought it was le denier cri.

[Albion Wilde]

If so, I stand corrected.

[avenir]

Can’t argue with the Beatles image. Avedon was maybe the greatest studio photographer of all time, at least one of them in my book!

[Albion Wilde]

Avedon was maybe the greatest studio photographer of all time, at least one of them in my book!

I agree; and Cecil Beaton.

The poster has been in a drawer for years. I just looked on eBay and some in good condition are selling for a nice few bucks. Hmmm...