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 ...
lol
A partner of my dad's collected Lladros, but that's as close as I ever got to figurine collecting.
If he had any covered bridges, they probably came out of the John Nagy Learn to Draw book.
I don't like Precious Moments ( or Hummelware) but I can see why some would think them cute-but what on earth made someone think that Biblical characters painted in the PM style would be inspiring and uplifting???? That boggles my mind, and i really thought my boggle meter broke years ago, in the second Clinton administration at the latest.
OMG that's great tacky!
Their eyes look like watermelon seeds.
You know, I think you could hang that one in a museum.
I'd rather face a balrog than a collection of Precious Moments.)
I thought that was Photoshopped -- turns out it's REAL!
AIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEee
( . . . how's that for a neutral comment? . . . I'm flabbergasted.)
i'm betting i know where the fierros are goin' on vaca next!!!
The cake! Hysterical!
Wish I had time to try my hand at one. I should have been off the computer two hours ago.
HAW
The Bill Alexander Story: An Autobiography |
Bill Alexander is a great, interesting guy! You have to look hard through used book shops and public libraries, but if you track down his book -- not his "teaching" books, his autobiography -- it's a great story. He "pioneered" all the Bob Ross simple techniques and relaxed manner, but Alexander was "complete" -- he did portraits and still lifes, also. |
"Our Father, whose art's in heaven..."
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