Dark Portrait of a 'Painter of Light'

latimes. ^ | March 5, 2006 | Kim Christensen

[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.

[stacytec]

Kinkade has a nice gig going, make "art" and sell it in mass to those most willing to buy into the marketing it is wrapped in. Who needs talent when you can slap hokey inspirational messages on sub-par work and sell the prints at Wal-Mart? Hurry, supplies are limited.

[Triggerhippie]

Bannana Cream Pie? I thought the King liked " 'nanner puddin' ".

[AnAmericanMother]

What ruins Pollock for me is that I know he studied under Thomas Hart Benton . . . and when he was actually attempting to paint realistically it was painfully obvious that he had no talent at all. His early works were stilted, talentless copies of Benton's idiosyncratic and lively style.

(I like Benton a lot, even though I generally prefer a more realistic style. He has a nice rhythm and sense of composition.)

[AnAmericanMother]

Problem is, the "technique" is mush and the "detail" is repetitive. And his much-vaunted light is just goofy.

It really is the equivalent of those little kids or puppies with big eyes on black velvet.

[AnAmericanMother]

Dang - I didn't notice that was a flippin' Tripod image.

Try again:

That last is a perfect character study of the types of Southern soldier . . . I had a number one and a number three in my family . . .

[maine-iac7]

The jealousy is unseemly...You'll be famous, too......one day. The old fashioned artist way, probably.

LOL

So we who do see his cotton candy fluff for what is is -= and what it is not - are jealous?

However you came to that conclusion is puzzling since...

you have no idea what the quality of my art is - where I have shown, or any other criteria to make such assumptions.

Your processes of thinking would seem to be on the same level as Kinkade's "art" - which is probably a very comfortable place for you.

(Please note I do not state these as assumptive knowledge - merely as speculation, based on evidence you provided :o) )

[rawhide]

Kincaid's own spoken words at the deposition will really hurt him.

[Torie]

I find just looking at his stuff unbearable, and flee.

[AnAmericanMother]

Here's a couple of REAL "painters of light" - Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole - to take the taste out of our mouths . . .

[maine-iac7]

LOL

one of my favorites.

Rockwell was more than the "just an illustrator: - he was a fine artist.

I have been privileged to see some of his non-illustrative paintings tghat have never been published. Museum work.

But then, his illustrations - in 'real life' are phenomenal...

But he remained a 'real' person, unimpressed with the adulation...

Very accessible, helpful and encouraging to other artists...and very witty,,,

[AnAmericanMother]

I was privileged to see the Rockwell exhibit when it toured to Atlanta. Nothing like seeing the originals . . .

Lots of his easel work included. Great stuff. You can see how he softened the force of his work for the S.E. Post covers . . .

[Torie]

Much better Kincade, but those mountains are just so geologically phony in the first one, that I can't stand it. And mountains don't look that way the light. In fact, the entire lighting effect is ersatz. The second painting is much more pleasing to me.

[AnAmericanMother]

Well, Bierstadt is not of the first rank . . . but he is SO MUCH better than Kinkade!

I prefer Cole, Church and Durand to Bierstadt, but I got hold of his paintings first.

[maine-iac7]

I'm with you here - like I said earlier "I don't know which to do first, puke or LMAO" I used to lived in the Berkshires - we had a group that would get together and hire a model to paint - often N.R. would be there - now there was an artist - and a good and decent human being...and very encouraging,

I also once worked on "American Artist" magazine - when Norman Kent was editor...he was also supportive and encouraging.

Indeed, the Berkshire's back then had many fine 'real' artists. We would have had a good belly laugh over Kinkade's claim as an artist.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Ah yes, The Painter of Happy Little Trees.***

I think it is Bill Alexander who paints the "happy little trees" and "the happy little clouds floating by."
Otherwise, there is not much difference in their style.

They DO get people to try their hand at painting and overcoming the fear of putting paint on canvas.

You should read some of the threads on the art sites about Bob Ross' business practices.

[maine-iac7]

Oh thank you for the Hudson River art - it does, indeed, dilute the cotton candy taste

[durasell]

Reminds me of the slaughter that took place among the Velvet Elvis gangs of Tijuana in the early 1980s.

[decal]

"I prefer Cole, Church and Durand to Bierstadt..."

Never have got to see Church's "Icebergs" up-close-and-personal - always wanted to.

[Torie]

I sent you a freepmail, offering to help post one of Kincade's depictions horriblus.

[maine-iac7]

If you ever get up to the Berkshires, do stop by the Rockwell Museum in West Stockbridge - it's on an old estate, with acres of rolling fields/woods - and besides the museum building, they moved his studio (he called it "the cottage"( from the grounds behind his house in Stockbridge - intact.

It is strange to see it there - brings back memories...his easel, brushes, everything like he had them

Worth the trip...