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 ...
Kinkade, there's a place you can go.
I said, Kinkade, when you've lost all your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.
It's fun to stay at the p-m-i-t-a-f-p.
It's fun to stay at the p-m-i-t-a-f-p.
ROFL!!!
Lol!
Ouch!!!
FWIW, his jockeys are obviously 19th c. - and French.
Bob Ross was also a retired 20-year veteran of the USAF.
....sort of
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Hopper (another master of light, and yet another style):
Georgia is my favorite, especially her Poppies.
Compared to the dreck that passes for 'naughty pictures' these days, his girls are positively chaste.
I love the second pic in #290. Thanks for the laugh.
I made that Turner painting my desktop.
You might like this!
The Power of Music to Lift and Teach (Michael Ballam)
Michael Ballam
BYU Education Week 1998
Michael Ballam has had an operatic and recital career spanning three decades and four continents. A native of Logan, Utah, Dr. Ballam has performed in the major concert halls of America, Europe, Asia, Russia and the Middle East, with command performances at the Vatican and the White house. His operatic repertoire includes more than 600 performances of over 70 major roles. He has shared the stage with the world’s greatest singers and has performed with critical acclaim in some of the most important concert halls in the country.
http://byubmp3.byu.edu/edweek98/mballam.mp3
The last time I saw people looking like that, they ate my flesh in a nightmare.
Birdy is, I would think, intended to be symbolic of the Holy Spirit. (Which, according to gospel accounts, descended like a dove upon the baptized Jesus.)
I don't have a problem with Kinkade or anybody else doing spiritual art, kitsch, whatever. Let a zillion windows glow. But I know the Christian pep talk can cause some very well meaning folks ("look at all the souls you'll uplift!") get into some pretty rotten deals (they hardly ever sell anything to uplift a soul because the price$ are way too high). If Kinkade did that knowing this was pie in the sky, the courts of this earth aren't going to have much mercy on him.
what the world is that? i cannot find the meaning of that argot even on google.
pinging myself for later enjoyment. (Gee, that didn't come out right...)
He's the glowing windows, doors, skyscape guy, not the palette and brush equivalent of a high contrast photographer. It purposely looks other worldly. It is a wonderful effect in the right mood. Sort of reminiscent of the older bulb-lit Christmas scenes before it got all cutesy with fiber and LEDs and digitized angel voices and whatnot.
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