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Painter Said to Be Focus of FBI Probe (Thomas Kinkade)
Los Angeles Times ^ | August 29, 2006 | Kim Christiensen

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: allhailbobross; art; bashkincaide; beatsdonnadewberry; blackvelvet; christian; crapart; everyonesacritic; everyonesanartist; everyonesanexpert; fbi; frauds; hallmarkcards; hitpiece; innocent; kincaidecausescancer; kinkade; kitsch; notalentazzclown; notreallyart; painteroflight; painteroftacky; preciousmoments; probe; radioactivepaint; saccharine; thomaskinkade; treacle; unhappyaccidents
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To: Publius6961

Okay Thanks, but Kinkaide is not art.


41 posted on 08/29/2006 3:14:03 PM PDT by trumandogz
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To: mockingbyrd
As far as painters of light go....I'll take Maxfield Parish hands down.

Well, that's really an unfair comparison.
The "master of light" seems to have totally neglected the parallel world of shadows.

He seems to have gotten to a point, technically, and then stopped learning.

42 posted on 08/29/2006 3:16:30 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Cecily
1. It is the middle of the day and the sun is shining, but the streetlight is burning and so is every light in the house.

The owner of the house probably drives a Canyonero (top of the line in utility sports, unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!)

2. The foliage and flowers indicate the season is late spring or summer (and presumably warm outside), but a fire is burning inside the house (see chimmney smoke).

Further contributing to global warming.

43 posted on 08/29/2006 3:17:34 PM PDT by BeHoldAPaleHorse ( ~()):~)>)
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To: Cecily

What a bummer. Next, I'll find out that my "Dogs Playing Poker" painting is a forgery, and not a genuine Rembrandt.


44 posted on 08/29/2006 3:20:48 PM PDT by GreenHornet
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To: fishtank

This story will make many in the MSM smile. They never cared for any of his work because cynics can't handle innocence. According to the cynic, innocence is too weak and childish. I remember 60 minutes hinting that this guy wasn't a real artist. The Left's elitists will also smile at this story because any artist who attempts to lift/encourage the masses just can't be an "authentic" artist. Ah...I'm listening to the academic elitist laugh while he celebrates another threatening artist taken down. Kinkade should have practiced some of the innocence he tried to capture in his work. Another example where Christianity and fat egos don't mix.


45 posted on 08/29/2006 3:28:26 PM PDT by conservativepoet
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To: trumandogz
Art is in the eye of the beholder. Critics often choose to "control" what art is the way "diamonds" are controlled.

Kinkade obviously connects with a lot of people. Since art is about communication, it seems to be doing well now, even if it doesn't connect with me personally. But Rockwell does...and he is widely derided (although less so now). It will be interesting to see if Kinkade's work continues to connect with future generations.
46 posted on 08/29/2006 3:33:35 PM PDT by pollyannaish
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To: trumandogz
Okay Thanks, but Kinkaide is not art.

Never said it was. I was simply responding to your "strip mall" attempt at condescension.
But if you crave contention, how about let's discuss Arkhip Kuinji and strip malls?

47 posted on 08/29/2006 3:39:12 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: All
I thought the Boulder City police interviewed and cleared the Ramsey's house painter. Does the FBI have new evidence? How could've the Boulder PD gotten it so wrong? Does the DNA match? Is Greta Sensational gonna answer my questions tonight?

What gives?

48 posted on 08/29/2006 3:40:08 PM PDT by Tinian
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To: King Black Robe

The one I visited had actual dabs of paint here and there on the litho then placed in a heavily oil scented frame. It smacked a little bit of ....(???) to me ...


49 posted on 08/29/2006 3:40:12 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("The Americans on Flight 93 did more to counter terrorism than the Democrats have done in 4 years")
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To: scan59

The cartoonist Garry Tredeau (?sp) did just that ... he gave ideas to cartoonists and told them how to draw them ... he didn't do the actual artwork himself.


50 posted on 08/29/2006 3:41:58 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("The Americans on Flight 93 did more to counter terrorism than the Democrats have done in 4 years")
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To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
Y'all are way to brutal!!!!!!

Not one of the posters has any proof.
51 posted on 08/29/2006 3:44:41 PM PDT by Coldwater Creek ("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
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To: mockingbyrd
As far as painters of light go....I'll take Maxfield Parish hands down.

And I'll take JMW Turner, but I agree with ya about Kinkade. I'm a firm believer that "de gustibus non est diputandum" , but eeeeeew already! Kinkade's trite mass-produced kitsch isn't art. It's unbelievably cheesy,clumsily amateurish graphic illustration.(not that there's anything wrong with that, lol!)

52 posted on 08/29/2006 3:45:42 PM PDT by leilani
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To: trumandogz

"Okay Thanks, but Kinkaide is not art."

Art is in the eye of the beholder. Evaluation of what passes as art is subjective, not objective. Kindaide is successful for a reason.


53 posted on 08/29/2006 3:46:37 PM PDT by Neoliberalnot
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To: theFIRMbss
Image hosted by Photobucket.com i STILL miss Bob...
54 posted on 08/29/2006 3:46:46 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: Cecily
Awful paintings, just AWFUL! Gimmicky sentimental awful awful things. I am at a loss for words I dislike them so much.
55 posted on 08/29/2006 3:47:20 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: Cecily
Painter Said to Be Focus of FBI Probe (Thomas Kinkade)

good sign. I've been arguing for years that the unfettered production of kitsch should be a federal offense.

56 posted on 08/29/2006 3:48:30 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
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To: Cecily

57 posted on 08/29/2006 3:49:41 PM PDT by COUNTrecount
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To: Neoliberalnot
I suspect the same thing you do. The country is becoming decidedly more anti Christian as the days pass. I think we should wait btw and see if there is a trial and evidence before Kinkade is convicted here.
58 posted on 08/29/2006 3:50:28 PM PDT by ladyinred (Leftists, the enemy within.)
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To: mockingbyrd

Another vote for Maxfield Parrish here.


59 posted on 08/29/2006 3:51:42 PM PDT by VOA
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To: pollyannaish
I miss him too!
(And the squirrel)
We used to get "stuck" watching all of the time..
Happy little trees..I loved that!
60 posted on 08/29/2006 3:51:55 PM PDT by M0sby (((PROUD WIFE of MSgt Edwards USMC)))
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