"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Maxfield Parish, too, was treated in the same shabby manner by art critics as has Thomas Kincade. But Parish was a far superior painter.
The difference is that Parish was an excellent realist painter trained in the classical manner who happened to make his initial fame in illustration, long before becoming able to support himself as a full time painter. His painting now fetch considerable sums at auction.
Thomas Kincade, who has a very fine impressionist style and displays virtuoso handling of paint, has sloppy proportions and off-kilter perspectives which skew his work. He is, however, able to market his style quite profitably and is percieved by art critics as a commercial artist/illustrator.
As an art historian and consultant I would not hesitate to recommend to a client, who admires the work of Maxfiedl Parish, that purchasing his paintings would be a fine investment as long as they love his works. I would tell any client who wanted to buy paintings by Thomas Kincade to do so only if you are truly in love with the piece, because it will have no intrinsic value.
That is really the most important role of people like me; I advise people about art as an investment but warn them never to buy anything as strictly an investment. Purchase quality but always something they’re crazy in love with, as they will have live with it on their walls for a very long time!