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 ...
uhnnn...so, what, if he used black magic, it would've been OK?
I mean, wtf?
Now, having said that, I will say that the one or two times I wandered into one of those galleries I thought they were way over done, a little high on the snob-appeal, and really kinda weird.
It was better when he was just a painter. Who knows what sorta stuff his promoters did in his name, anyway.
The prices were too high. That's was the gallery problem. Beautiful work, sure. But they were prints, not originals.
Looks like he may have played the Christian angle to further his career.
He'd make a good Democrat politician.
Coming Soon:
The Thomas Kinkade Prison Series...
"Kinkade's Paintings of Prisons from Prison!"
Art ping
I've got a mansion just over the hilltop,
in that bright land where we'll never grow old.....
Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven...
I suspect the LA Times inserted the Christian part to emphasize the use of hate-speech tactics according to the experts in hate-speech at the LATimes. The paintings are indeed beautiful. I own a couple of replicas.
 |
"The Bob Ross method is a wet-on-wet technique involving no fraud . . ." |
(Of course, I used to wonder the same thing about Stephen King. "Here's the idea, now fill in the holes.")
wow !art! ...and I was beginning to think we are a culturally bereft nation
He might shift from Painter of Light to Painter of $
As always, his paintings lack logic.
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.
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).
I think it is all Kinkade's little joke.
That wasn't meant as an attack on Christianity, I don't think, more an observation of the use of it for a questionable commecrial purpose.
Its really Global Warming that he is painting
bereft...yeah...
Christ is not a commodity. Using Christianity to hawk one's wares is roughly akin to the money changers in the temple and we all know how that turned out.
Christians need to start focusing on Christ in our own lives and quit using him as a "social thing."
Better than sleeping pills or acupuncture. The most relaxing Sunday afternoon activity on the planet.
Sigh. I miss Bob "happy little trees" Ross.
So what? Let's say I'm a Druid, and I want to sell gizmos and I know the people I'm trying to sell them to are Druids, and I go to them and say: "Hey, I'm a Druid, too!" in order curry their favor and further my sales.
So, what's wrong with that, morally - much less legally? What am I missing here?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.