Posted on 04/07/2012 7:39:53 AM PDT by KansasGirl
(CBS/AP) One of the most successful artists of all time, prolific painter Thomas Kinkade - the self-described "Painter of Light" - died Friday at the age of 54.
A spokesperson for the Kinkade family said the artist died at home in Los Gatos, Calif., apparently of natural causes.
Kinkade's paintings were anything but controversial, depicting scenes of a light-filled America with a heavy emphasis on home, hearth and church. His sentimental scenes of country gardens and pastoral landscapes in dewy morning light were beloved by many but criticized by the art establishment.
The painter once said that he had something in common with Walt Disney and Norman Rockwell: He wanted to make people happy.
Those light-infused renderings are often prominently displayed in buildings, malls, and on products — generally depicting tranquil scenes with lush landscaping and streams running nearby. Many contain images from Bible passages.
"I'm a warrior for light," Kinkade, a self-described devout Christian, told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, a reference 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."
And he had a large following: Kinkade's paintings and spin-off products were said to fetch some $100 million a year in sales, and to be in 10 million homes in the United States.
How do you know?
I have an ABBA multi disc collection and actually enjoyed B&B’s “Chess” album. Really like ZZ at times as well. My cousin opened for them in TX a little over a year ago just before he died in a tragic auto accident.
If you like ZZ search on YouTube for Mean Gene Kelton. If I wasn’t on my ancient tablet I’d post the link.
Another fav musical artist I like is Sofia Jannok from Sweden. She mostly sings in her native Sami Laplander language. Has a great version of Waterloo when she was on a Eurovision talent show.
Although Kincaid was arguably the first popular illuminist (painter of light, as he was called), Terbush is my favorite because he took the lighting effect further. After visiting his gallery in Laguna Beach, CA by accident, I bought a small original painting of his and still have it. It's no longer hanging, but when it was, I would show friends/guests the difference in the scene when I adjusted the spot light and they would become mesmerized. One person actually asked if I would sell it to him.
Terbush's gallery had a back room where you could raise and lower the spot halogen lights directed at his paintings. They would take on a whole different look as you lowered the lights which lowered the hues in the painting. It was subtle and not psychedelic if that's what your thinking. Think the difference of shades of yellow and orange as the Sun sets lower toward the horizon. Starts with bright yellows and progresses down to orange.
Terbush was big on lush waterfall landscapes at the time until he moved to Arizona and started painting desert landscapes. They also have the illuminist feel as you fade/raise the lights on the painted rising or setting Sun over the austerity of the desert. And no, you don't have to play with your lighting to appreciate either his works or Kincaid's. They all stand alone - Kincaid with his somewhat soft lense affect and Terbush with his realist photographic affect.
Kincaid and Terbush will eventually be known as the great modern artists they are. You have to see their work to understand. Truly amazing and very emotional even for someone who doesn't appreciate art. Hell, even a fan of a velvet painting of Elvis can appreciate the idyllic affect Kincaid had on millions. Bet you have seen a Kincaid if only in a print in a hotel/motel room, and felt a sense of peace just for a moment.
This is coming from someone who wouldn't know the difference between a Monet and a bidet. What a loss, but Snooky of Jersey Shore continues on. Just mentioned this to my wife who knows nothing of art, but knows who Kincaid is and always like his idyllic cottage grove landscapes. See what I mean?
Best wishes go out to Thomas Kincaid's family. I thank Mr. Kincaid for the serenity he has brought to so many.
I lived near Sacramento when I was attending graduate school. Thomas Kincade paintings were sold at ALL the malls.
His work is okay, he was definitely skilled, but it just wasn't my style. Too Christmas card like. I never bought any of his paintings.
I have a lot of framed Disney movie posters. One poster I have shows the St. Louis Arch as a giant coat hanger buried underground, with part of one side sticking above ground... Art definitely is a personal taste.
I lived near Sacramento when I was attending graduate school. Thomas Kincade paintings were sold at ALL the malls.
His work is okay, he was definitely skilled, but it just wasn't my style. Too Christmas card like. I never bought any of his paintings.
I have a lot of framed Disney movie posters. One poster I have shows the St. Louis Arch as a giant coat hanger buried underground, with part of one side sticking above ground... Art definitely is a personal taste.
Exactly. They were never meant to cause thought or discussion or hysterical art rhetoric. He painted serenity. Not such a bad purpose in my book, but then I'm not avant garde. Hell, I still like looking at the Mona Lisa.
Um, what???
I'm not surprised to see all the snobs here who think he was second rate (you notwithstanding). Visual art is suppose move you, much like the art of music. No, he wasn't Monet or da Vinci or countless other classic painters.
Kinkade was who he was and millions have felt good while looking at his works for just seconds. I've often looked at post-modern and abstract works trying to find a feeling behind it - rarely got one. Although I can appreciate the technical difficulties of the design.
Wow! Great stuff. Although I don’t care for his style (impressionism? I don’t know anything about art classifications), I love his use of light, especially the top photo. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
His work is beautiful and warm His work that he did under the name of Robert Girrard are some of my favorites.Will miss this very talented man.Special thoughts go out to his loved ones..
[we just started collecting glass art.]
Kewl. I am a bit of an amateur expert in Scandanavian Glass if you need help let me know.
Even though I like to look at abstract art as an interesting design or intellectual exercise, I've always known in my heart that tranquil landscapes were more beneficial to the human soul. It's like looking at a puppy. Unless it's from some poor soul in New Mexico who fancies himself an artist, how can they not make you feel good?
I've known your point since a child and have always had landscape paintings, serial graphs, and prints around me. Thank you.
You are THE first person I have ever heard of liking both besides me - ever! How gay are we? Hah!
there is an ILLNESS KNOWN AS SCD...SUDDEN CORNARY DEATH...and AGE DOES NOT MATTER....
it takes a special eye and hand to work together to create a picture. nicely done.
I have to admit you were way ahead of me. It was a long time dawning for me -- I was giving too much to the looking-at-art-as-an-intellectual-exercise school! Not until I was in my mid 30s did I begin to appreciate it the way you have.
Landscapes are ... at first glance, boring, ho-hum, uneventful. But I've learned something interesting about them, at least for me. TWICE now, landscapes that at first went in one eye and out the other, have become highly cherished art pieces. I know the paintings didn't change over the 12-18 months it took for them to grow on me!
Kincade painted schlock, but he was a genius at it, or at least at his approach to it. Anyone who can outrage as many artists as Kincade did has something going for him. Not my taste either, but I'm sorry he's gone.
Wow! That is a great painting!!
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.