Posted on 03/06/2006 8:18:41 PM PST by tbird5
Christian-themed artist Thomas Kinkade is accused of ruthless tactics and seamy personal conduct. He disputes the allegations.
Thomas Kinkade is famous for his luminous landscapes and street scenes, those dreamy, deliberately inspirational images he says have brought "God's light" into people's lives, even as they have made him one of America's most collected artists.
A devout Christian who calls himself the "Painter of Light," Kinkade trades heavily on his beliefs and says God has guided his brush and his life for the last 20 years.
"When I got saved, God became my art agent," he said in a 2004 video biography, genteel in tone and rich in the themes of faith and family values that have helped win him legions of fans, albeit few among art critics.
But some former Kinkade employees, gallery operators and others contend that the Painter of Light has a decidedly dark side.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
It just seems rather odd to me.
Never knew that Kincade's stuff was meant as specifically "Christian" before. Somehow, that makes it all the more objectionable, he prostitutes Christianity as well as his art.
Not that the guy is without ability, but he surely isn't using it the way God intended.
Considering that the tradition of Western art has been so tied to Christianity, I suppose that Kincade would logically claim to be a part of the tradition, only to me, he's more a part of the tradition of the con men evangelists, Baker, etc.
Sounds like you're bitter about a bad investment.
LOL!!!
I found this among my Mother's Christmas cards and snagged it. Up close it is so sweet and beautiful. btw, it's "Little Angel's", the second print down. Reminds me of my niece's twins who are about the same age.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.picturethisgallery.com/Artists/Hanks,%2520Steve/Little%2520Angels.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.picturethisgallery.com/steve_hanks.htm&h=577&w=341&sz=40&hl=en&start=110&tbnid=DOh8ZCBVX8YMHM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=78&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsteve%2Bhanks%26start%3D100%26dnum%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN
My favorite comment about him came in a review of Lord of the Rings. The reviewer described the scene at Elrond's house as (and I'm paraphrasing) "Like a Thomas Kinkade painting, only good".
Actually, he's a mormon rather than a Christian, isn't he? Of course, I guess the LA Slimes can't be expected to know the difference ...
I didn't know he was a Mormon, but funny you'd say that as I was going to say that his paintings remind me of the Jesus pictures hanging in Mormon homes. Maybe he paints those too.
In the case of Kinkade, the bullseye comes from the fact that he has used and abused the name of God to sell his oversized greeting cards to people who think "John 3:16" automatically conveys holiness to some paint or ink spread on a canvas.
He makes runs of 50,000 or more of his prints, then breaks them up and sells each group as a different type of "limited edition" print for exorbitant amounts. His salespeople push the "art as investment" line right to the legal edge, and in gratitude he turns around and dumps his leftovers on the market at prices below what he will allow his signature galleries to charge.
Never mind the quality of his work. His ethics are ugly.
And I wouldn't have a Kinkade as a gift. Isn't it nice that there is something for everyone to enjoy, out there?
I wonder if the "commentary" says what you think it does. I see a man who, by his dress and demeanor, is not someone you would expect to be interested in Jackson Pollock. But he is spending time with this painting, not hurrying by it - studying it, seeing what it might have to say to him.
Anyone buying this stuff as "art" deserves to get screwed.
I don't think he's a positive figure, Dan. His art is all about gimmicks and dishonesty. It does show ability, IMO, but not used as the Lord would have wished, also IMO.
Yes, it's predictable that the LA Times would go after a "Christian" artist, but in this case the artist provides a sitting duck type of target.
There must be plenty of honest Christian artists out there, just not using their Christianity as a sales tool.
Don't hold back now, tell us what you really think. ;-)
>> the artist quipped late one night as he urinated on a Winnie the Pooh figure <<
So he took a wee on Poo? That's just wrong. :^D
I love that guy - whatever happened to his show on TV?
I agree with your post #33. The LA Times makes it sound as though a profession of faith is illegal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.