Thomas Kinkade, one of nation's most popular painters, dies suddenly in Los Gatos at 54

mercurynews.com ^ | April 6, 2012 | Mike Rosenberg

[Free ThinkerNY]

Thomas Kinkade, the "Painter of Light" and one of most popular artists in America, died suddenly Friday at his Los Gatos home. He was 54.

His family said in a statement that his death appeared to be from natural causes.

"Thom provided a wonderful life for his family,'' his wife, Nanette, said in a statement. "We are shocked and saddened by his death.''

His paintings are hanging in an estimated 1 of every 20 homes in the United States. Fans cite the warm, familiar feeling of his mass-produced works of art, while it has become fashionable for art critics to dismiss his pieces as tacky. In any event, his prints of idyllic cottages and bucolic garden gates helped establish a brand -- famed for their painted high lights -- not commonly seen in the art world.

"I'm a warrior for light," Kinkade told the Mercury News in 2002, alluding not just to his technical skill at creating light on canvas but to the medieval practice of using light to symbolize the divine. "With whatever talent and resources I have, I'm trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel."

[gunsequalfreedom]

$45 bucks opening bid on ebay...no takers

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thomas-Kinkade-HOMETOWN-CHAPEL-canvas-painting-finish-print-New-/150789671010?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item231bc3c862

[Navy Patriot]

His “art” was vapid and sophomoric.

Which he could easily sell without a National Endowment sugar daddy with a gun pointed at the taxpayer.

[murron]

I like to paint and I would have loved to paint like he did.

[Salamander]

So much for the appreciation value of my Beanie Babies.

:)

[cynwoody]

His “art” was vapid and sophomoric.

You'd be off to a good start at an 02138 cocktail party, probably with Granny Warren in attendance.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[woofie]

Lights Out

[Revolting cat!]

When he was good, Kinkade was on fire!

[ReneeLynn]

Or maybe those people just liked the paintings?

[Clintonfatigued]

Drango, you have the best tagline I’ve ever seen. Did you think it up yourself?

[woofie]

By Arnie Sloffman (Photographer of Filth)

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Titled, “It’s a sunny day and the chapel is on fire.”

[Clintonfatigued]

What a shame. He was perhaps the foremost painter of our lifetimes. I’d buy one of his paintings if I could afford it.

[Norm Lenhart]

Some of the comments here are amazing to me. Sure there are better ‘artists’. Maplethorp was highly acclaimed and his work is more ‘valued’ than these.

So?

If people like these paintings, great. Personally I LIKE the fact they aren’t zoning code correct and that it looks like Bambi is just around the corner. To me, that’s WHY I like them. If I had an extra 700 bucks I’d snatch a copy off his Little Mermaid print. because I LIKE it, not that I want to invest.

As for the ‘cartoon’ aspect, I personally think that cartoon/comic/animation art/cells are some of the best art there is. I prefer it to the ‘classics’. Why? Am I some blind dolt with no appreciation for ‘real’ art?

Don’t care. I like what I like. Amazing how so many here are concerned with what others, who they only ‘talk’ to online, like though.

/rant ;)

[SpaceBar]

I actually like the one of Lombard Street.

[REDWOOD99]

Where might one view your works of art?

[Drango]

Stole it years ago from the AOL. Feel free to use. It’s the internet.

[Revolting cat!]

Painter of Blight!

[Rudder]

Kincade from his "HotHouse" period.

Not unlike Hiernonymous Bosch's "Hell" period---

[Viking2002]

You sound like every other mass media hack who's reporting this - they just can't help themselves to get a dig in on him before he's even room temperature yet. If you find that his “art” was vapid and sophomoric, then you're entitled to your opinion. But show a little goddamned common courtesy for what his work meant to many of us before you take a piss on his grave.

Don't even go there, Chuckles. You really have me jerked off at the moment.

"As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

--H.L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920