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 ...
From the Painter of Light to the Printer of License Plates.
Well, some of the greatest art in the world is based on the events in the Bible and Biblical figures. I don't think too many of those artists got rich, though. They didn't mass produce their paintings either.
I see no evidence presented that Christianity was used in any way to sell anything. This is the LATimes reporting here.
I do not seem to recall Michael Angelo selling his art is strip centers.
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.
Snob appeal? I doubt there is one serious art snob who has anything but total derision for his work.
Kinkade is a one-trick pony.
"Sigh. I miss Bob "happy little trees" Ross."
Did he pass away?
My oldest son, who is now 23, used to watch him on PBS. My son was 5 or 6 at the time, and he'd sit there mezmerized.
He did have about the most soothing tone I've heard on television.
If you find that Christianity is properly used by questionable characters, or even upright people, as a sales tool, you are not missing anything. Go for it.
LOL
I used to love watching his show on public access.
Does that make me old?
I never got the whole Thomas Kinkade thing.
As far as painters of light go....I'll take Maxfield Parish hands down.
So I guess Barnum is proved correct, yet again.
I realize there is a some kind of cult around Kinkade's paintings or prints or whatever, but I would sooner put a velvet Elvis on my wall than one of those creepy looking "luminescence scenes". I guess it takes all kinds.
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).
Maybe it's the water heater? (just joking)
I never equated this guy's paintings to Christianity. So that was news to me. He was (and is) just some guy who paints paintings to make a buck. Just like everyone else on earth. Get in line and take a number I guess.
It is illogical, isn't it? The lights wouldn't even show in the daytime, would they?
His work always reminded me of a box of crayons.
Really?
Were you aware that Michelangelo faked (his own) sculptures to look ancient as a means to promote his move, during the political upheavals in Florence, to Rome and immortality?
Not all that far removed...
From Wikepedia, "In that year a marble Cupid by Michelangelo was treacherously sold to Cardinal Raffaele Riario as an ancient piece: the prelate discovered the cheat, but was so impressed by the quality of the sculpture that he invited the artist to Rome..."
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