"Thanks for the Art ping, man!"
Posted on 08/29/2006 2:34:35 PM PDT by Cecily
The FBI is investigating allegations that self-styled "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade and some of his top executives fraudulently induced investors to open galleries and then ruined them financially, former dealers contacted by federal agents said.
Investigators are focusing on issues raised in civil litigation by at least six former Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery owners, people who have been contacted by the FBI said.
ADVERTISEMENTThe ex-owners allege in arbitration claims that, among other things, the artist known for his dreamily luminous landscapes and street scenes used his Christian faith to persuade them to invest in the independently owned stores, which sell only Kinkade's work.
"They really knew how to bait the hook," said one former dealer who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case. "They certainly used the Christian hook."
Kinkade has denied the allegations in the civil litigation.
Two former dealers told the Los Angeles Times that they had been asked to provide documentation of their business relationships with Kinkade's company. They said agents asked for copies of dealer agreements, retail sales policies, training materials from "Thomas Kinkade University" and correspondence, including e-mail.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Oooh, no! I would have loved to have been here for that! (I'm a passionate fan of both.)I'm on the art ping list now though, so hopefully if there's another brawl I'll get to be in the middle of it.Can't wait!
So, there's controversy there? ;-)
Ick. I hope you're being sarcastic.
I read an article on Thomas Kinkade years ago. It stated that, as a child, his mother had to work. I forget if his father had left or died. Kinkade would come home to a dark house everyday after school. That's the reason he paints lights in the houses.
I don't believe that picture is set in England. That's an American late Victorian-style house.
The issue is not that the pictures lack internal logic. Nor is it whether his work is art or mere illustration. Even as illustration, the work is not strong. It would be possible for a real artist to take the same subject matter and do something original and striking with it. Kinkade advertises himself as the "painter of light," but compared to real artists he doesn't handle light well, much less in an original, insightful way. Even the draftsmanship is mediocre. He's just not a talented guy.
He passed away in '95. I loved watching his show.
I'm with you. His psuedo art is like clown paintings.
Thanks, got it. Are you missing from my art ping list?
"Truthfully, art is not so subjective, except for "modern art," which is not what Kincaid does. Realism is very much a craft which has actual standards.
IMO Kincaid has ability as a craftsman, but my feeling is that his stuff is not straightforward or honest. This seems to be born out by various news stories and anecdotes about him."
Disagree with your note on the definition of subjective. Art is indeed quite subjective unless you show how standards are quantitated, which of course they can't be. Who set the standards and how did they arrive at the objective standards for art? I am open if I have missed something.
That is a rare combination. But, despite the opinion many art critics held of his work, Norman Rockwell was a master of what he did. Kinkade is a master at marketing, and has made millions off it, but his work won't be celebrated years after his death the way Rockwell's is.
Liberals hate success no matter the field. Kinkaid is a huge success and has a tremendous demand for his work. Hence, he must be a crook said the envious liberal.
"The man was without equal. That photograph is unaltered."
Perhaps a bit of credit should be afforded the creator of this beautiful scene and less to the guy who recorded such on paper. Just a thought.
He should have been locked up long ago for his utter schlock paintings....
OMG that is one of the best looter guy yet.
Alot of items in Christian book stores and gift shops were Thomas Kinkade--Bible covers, book marks, stationery, the paintings, Family Bible, greeting cards, calendars, blankets, and more. You get the idea. The Christian stores I know of have stopped selling the paintings, though.
Several of the paintings have Christian themes. I didn't think Kinkade was using the Christianity angle to sell his paintings...thought Christians were just the market.
Wow! Love what you did with the little crack in the corner!
"He's sort of a hybrid between Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol (both of whom I like, by the way, weird as that sounds)."
I used to work with a guy who was an obnoxious amateur art critic. The words "Norman Rockwell" would almost send him into apoplectic fits. Once people found out how easy it was to tweak him he was one miserable dude.
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