Painter Said to Be Focus of FBI Probe (Thomas Kinkade)

Los Angeles Times ^ | August 29, 2006 | Kim Christiensen

[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.

[martin_fierro]

i'm betting i know where the fierros are goin' on vaca next!!!

I've got to point out the PM Chapel to Mrs. F. She'll claw her eyes out.

[FastCoyote]

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.]


And what's with that trellis stuck in the middle of nowhere with one spindly plant on each side,a trellis like that would be overgrown.

[leilani]

the Poster Who Must Not Be Named will be along soon to call us racist and ask who's gonna pick the corn in those pictures?

Oops! I guess normally that would be me too, lol, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cross over to the dark side to stand with the Buchanon Brigade & Minutemen Militia on this issue. The very survival of western civilization hinges on vanquishing this demonically evil scourge at its diabolical source.I have seen the light! They're either with us or they're against us!

[Xenalyte]

If more than half of American homes have Kinkade or PM in them, then the terrorists have already won.

"Join us or die! Can you do any less?"

[mikrofon]

I used to like some of Kinkaid's earlier work
on vehicles, circa 1970...

[dighton]

That is truly over the top . . . puppies. AND kittens (and what is it with their eyes?)

Airstrike on traditional Precious Moments wedding. Eyes widening in horror.

[Quilla]

Dam#, I like you too.

[leilani]

If more than half of American homes have Kinkade or PM in them, then the terrorists have already won

LOL!!!!!!I've been looking for a new tagline & by george I've found it!I hope it all fits. Thanks!

[sully777]

Speaking of Ross borrowing from Alexander...Family Guy: Don't reveal Bob Ross' secret

[Xenalyte]

I am cracking up!

[DelphiUser]

>>The point is that he "created a relationship of trust" intended to lead them to invest money in galleries he knew were bad investments.

Here is where the "Legal problem is: "he knew were bad investments" Prove what he knew.. Hmm...

[sully777]

He painted Susan Dey?

[ArrogantBustard]

AAAAAAAKKKKKK!!!

That's what God made 12ga shotguns for ...

[Verloona Ti]

There is also a Precious Moments hotel at which you two can stay, after partaking of the beauty that is the Precious Moments chapel.The hotel is a Best Western, so it's also a real high-class joint, as well as being filled with lovely art like this over the queen-size bed:

[martin_fierro]

I used to like some of Kinkaid's earlier work on vehicles, circa 1970...

Painter of Lightweights™!

[AnAmericanMother]

I prefer a Light 20. Puts out plenty of lead, but you can shoot it all day without being shoulder-bruised.

Even a .410 would probably be enough. Or my little 28 ga. dove gun . . . Remington 11-48, actually come to think of it it's a classic and too good to waste on that dreck . . .

[theFIRMbss]

>I used to like some of Kinkaid's earlier work

I don't know . . . I've heard Bonaduce say Kinkaid used to put Danny in his lap and let Danny steer while they drove through Los Angeles. That sounds sweet until you remember it's Hollywood . . . Kids in laps. Driving . . .

[StarfireIV]

"Happy painting and God bless."

[sully777]

Thomas Kincaid is a painter of light, the messiah of the corporate brushstroke...



...but some say Donna Newberry ushers in DARKNESS, the Apocalypse in one stroke...

[King Black Robe]

I do not think people who enjoy Kinkade's work really expect it to be realistic. It is not that. But it is beautiful none the less. Not worth the money, but beautiful. Complaining that it is "fakey" is really a sort of fallacy argument in that you are disgruntled that it is not something it was never intended to be. No one cares that it doesn't look like a photograph. Your posted Dyce work is so precise it could be a photograph. That's amazing to me. Kinkade doesn't even try to do that. I think the criticism that all his paintings look alike is valid. But the "it's fakey" criticism is invalid, imo.