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 ...
The Slim household actually has two pieces by this guy. They're from the 70's and not nearly as funky.
One of my favorites.
Sometimes an odd and striking beauty can be found in juxtaposition of opposites.
This ain't one of those times.
That looks like what would happen if Sid and Marty Krofft
quit puppet-wrangling and went into graphic design.
"Diner" by Richard Estes, 1971
Oil, 101 x 126 cm
Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC
That's impressive, and I like it.
Or for that matter, a good Republican politican. And since I'm a registered Republican, I feel free to make that statement. I frankly, this day in age, prefer to be called a Conservative.
Well, maybe a cute artwork will help:
My pencil version
I gave that print, framed and matted, to my BF for Christmas 2004. The teeny bopper clerk who took my order made a crappy remark about GWB, AND (deliberately?) screwed up my mat. (It was supposed to be blue with a red inset, he made it red with a blue inset. Maybe he was thinking red state and got confused, I dunno.) That store went out of business just a few months ago-can't help wondering if the hired help p*ss*d off too much of the clientele. Now I have to drive 40 miles to get things matted and framed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kinkade-Disney-Disneyland-50th-Anniversary-EP-24x36-Cvs_W0QQitemZ300019800123QQihZ020QQcategoryZ20135QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Guess there's a niche in your area for an apolitical, courteous framer?
I agree with AnAmericanMother. For a "Painter of Light," his light painting skills sure are horrible. Just look at the way he has tried to illuminate the flower baskets under the three street lights. Terrible painting. He seems to do best with his renditions of trees and flowers (he probably learned how from Bob Ross).
Oh, ok - that way he can blame someone else if things go wrong ... typical Liberal ...
My favorite:
His Station and Four Aces.
Coolidge wasn't trying to con anybody, he did commercial art on commission for an advertising company.
My husband used to ride the Pennsy commuter trains from Newark to Princeton Junction. He saw many similar scenes (though not with dogs). There was always a floating poker game in the club car.
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