A masterpiece!
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 ...
I miss Bob, too. I especially liked his "happy little accidents," "happy little bushes," "happy little rocks, paths, waterfalls," etc. :O) Sigh. Wish he was still with us.
"You've never lived in England. All those can be true there. It is often heavily overcast with intermittant rain with an occasional break in the clouds that lets bright sun through for a few minutes. The lights can be on in the day because of that cloud cover. Even though it ay be late spring, with flowers in full bloom, it can still be cold enough to need a fire in the fireplace (and some people still use an AGA combined cook stove/central heating)."
Add Seattle into that description!
They ought to title that one" Jon Benet".
Now he can add "con" to artist.
The great irony is that I find Kinkade's work to be somewhat cynical, personally. But I respect that others enjoy it. It's all what speaks to you.
Of course, with Ross it's a lot more than the paintings.
I can't take it anymore...now I've hurt my back laughing.
Thanks a load.
Thomas Kinkade: The Kenny G of Paint.
His is some of the most boring "art" I've ever seen, and I work in a custom frame shop where I see alot of crappy art, along with the good stuff.
Well, since we're all calling dibs...I'll take Andrew Wyeth.
ROFLMAO. Too good.
I agree, watching his show always relaxed me. His voice was so very soothing, calm and innocent. There was a refreshing lack of worldliness about him that I always loved. His son is quite a good artist as well, perhaps they will give him a show.
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.
The word subjective does apply to taste, on the part of both the craftsman and the viewer.
Yeah that's what I was waiting for!
This is Art.
You are correct. He has a group of "artists" who make the giclee copies by the ton. Kinkade only adds some oil highlights (and maybe he really does let someone else do it) to giclee copies of originals and overcharges for the copies. Plus, it is pretty cheesy art to begin with.
I have a friend artist who does much better work and is far more talented than Kinkade, but he does not have the marketing strength by selling through his own art shops.
You wrote, "I doubt there is one serious art snob who has anything but total derision for his work."
True, and I'm one of them. I do, however, admire his marketing savvy and his undeniable flair for self-promotion. He's sort of a hybrid between Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol (both of whom I like, by the way, weird as that sounds).
The FBI can investigate all they want, but Kincaid will ultimately win, either in a criminal case or a civil suit, or both. Any jury will come to the conclusion that people who open a store in a retail gallery showing only the work of one artist are inviting disaster.
it's caveat emptor. or at least it would be if he weren't a Christian with deep pockets.
I doubt there is one serious art snob who has anything but total derision for his work.
well, don't think you'd run into one of those working in the freaking gallery would you? But the people there, such as they were -- and I gather that they wouldn't qualify as snobs up in your rarified atmosphere -- were a tad snotty all the same. In the way you'd expect someone hawking Thomas Kincaide paintings to be. You know, Christian snotty.
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