Thomas Kinkade - "Painter of Light" - Dies

AP ^ | 4/7/12 | John S. Marshall

[boatbums]

California artist Thomas Kinkade, whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches were big sellers for dealers across the country, died Friday, a family spokesman said.

Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the San Francisco Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.

Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment.

The paintings generally depict tranquil scenes with lush landscaping and streams running nearby. Many contain images from Bible passages.

Kinkade, a self-described devout Christian, claimed to be the nation's most collected living artist. His 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.

"I'm a warrior for light," he told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, in reference to his technical skills but also 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."

[boatbums]

I have grown to love this artist's technique and the uplifting nature and gentleness of his paintings. He was a Christian and his work brought out the grace and wondrous beauty of our Creator. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

[Towed_Jumper]

He was only 54 years old...RIP.

[mowowie]

Wow he was young, i had no idea.

His paintings are magical.

RIP

[Christie at the beach]

Prayers to his family. Very sad news.

[Beowulf9]

His paintings were lovely, as you can see.

[boatbums]

If you ever have the chance to see his work displayed in an art gallery where they can raise and lower the lighting on the pictures, you really CAN see their magical nature. I was amazed at how different the same painting could be just by changing the lighting. His works that included Scripture passages were quite inspirational and it’s probably why the “Art Establishment” turned up their collective noses at it. Us plain folk sure love it, though, and I think that is who he aimed for anyway. I’ll bet his work goes up in value, now.

[mowowie]

It’s funny but growing up Kinkades paintings was the America that i wanted to grow up in and live.
It’s one of the reasons why i am so depressed nowadays.
I’m sure by far i am not the only one to think so...

Imagine living in that sweet glowing cottage by the lake without a single worry in the world, or skating on that frozen pond with Christmas trees and Hot Chocolate waiting for you on shore...

[boatbums]

This was one of my favorites. I also liked the many lighthouse and seascape scenes, as well.

[mowowie]

Yes his work was very nice.

I have a folder on my hard drive dating back to 1998 or so when i started downloading his paintings and saving them.

That folder has lasted at least 6 hard drives by now.
I think i’ll go check it out, it’s been a while....

[boatbums]

This one is really good with the special lighting applied to it.

[boatbums]

This one is also really good with the special lighting applied to it.

[Jagdgewehr]

...were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment.

Elitist gibe noted.

R.I.P. Mr. Kinkade.

[boatbums]

This one is appropriate for this time of celebrating our Savior's resurrection.

[mowowie]

“....but reviled by the art establishment”

I wonder why?
Nevermind, I know why.

[PLMerite]

I like that one. If I could take a photograph like that I would be supremely happy.

[Lazlo in PA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nv7Qicg2Og&feature=relmfu

[Nasher]

Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment...Many contain images from Bible passages.

Hated by the 'art establishment' because of his technique or because Thomas was a Christian? Which is it, ASSociated Press?

Prayers for his family. He was truly gifted. Always loved his Christmas themed paintings such as this:

[aruanan]

Us plain folk sure love it, though, and I think that is who he aimed for anyway.

For exactly the same reason that Obama is targeting the middle income people.

[boatbums]

Love this one, too.

[mowowie]

I could look at those paintings all day.

The good ‘ole days
sigh....

[katiedidit1]

He left the world a more beautiful place. What a great artist. He attributed his talent to God.

[katiedidit1]

Oh yes. I always wanted to live in one of his magical cottages. So beautiful and the magic of the lights in all his works. He shared a great gift with the world.

[boatbums]

Rest in peace, Mr. Kinkade. May the Lord grace your family with comfort and peace during this time and console them with the knowledge that you will be together again one day.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

They forgot to mention that besides his beautiful paintings, Mr. Kinkade was also the manager of the Patridge family.

[cherry]

54 is way too young....the good do indeed seem to die young, witness I'm still around and am older than TK....lol...

God speed Mr. Kincaide...God speed....

[Albion Wilde]

Earlier thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2869173/posts

[zigmeisterxiv]

Can I shill for my sister’s work???

http://www.artupstairs.com/

aloha

zig

[katiedidit1]

[mowowie]

:)

[Yaelle]

I definitely wish I was walking along that snowy street going to that Christmas party. Wow. I never paid attention to his work before. Nice.

RIP.

[Psalm 144]

Nice! Very strong compositions, and she really conveys a sense of place. Thanks for sharing that site.

[RedStateRocker]

Very nice.
Thanks for sharing

[Erasmus]

That’s a nice departure from the snow-covered-cozily-lit-cottage-by-the-stream theme.

[boatbums]

I did a search for “Kinkade” before I posted this and nothing but a post from 2010 showed up. Honest! Maybe this one can be the “nice” thread. :o)

[GOP Poet]

ironic he died on good Friday.

[zigmeisterxiv]

thank you ...

z

[stpio]

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

[LetMarch]

Beautiful Pictures, Post and Articles! Thanks!

Thomas Kinkade was to these decades as was Nowman Rockwell in our decades (us 70+; I’m 78)

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15)

[HarleyD]

We loved his paintings as well until we talked to some of the dealers. Apparently he would force dealers into selling his inventory. In many cases some of the dealers went bankrupted. We never bought a Kinkade and after that I could never bring myself to consider purchasing one.

I don't understand Christians who act this way. In the end, we take nothing with us as he has just found out.

Thomas Kinkade Lawsuit

[marygam]

That was not lost on me either. Heaven needed a good Artist I guess.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment...Many contain images from Bible passages.

Hated by the 'art establishment' because of his technique or because Thomas was a Christian? Which is it, ASSociated Press?

Prayers for his family. He was truly gifted. Always loved his Christmas themed paintings such as this:

His paintings were nice ... like a modern-day Currier and Ives.

[lupie]

Heaven NEEDED a good “A”rtist???? I don’t think so. Heaven is the abode of the everlasting, eternal, self-sufficient, triune Creator and sustanier of the universe whose glory is far more than we can handle in these bodies. Heaven is filled to the brim with His Glory and does not need anything man to add anything to Who He is or What He has done. There is only one true “Artist”, and that is God Himself. Kincaid was just a sinner. We hope that he was saved by grace. If not, it is too late. If so, then now he knows what true “art” is. Jesus Christ is true beauty.

[ctdonath2]

Reviled why? Marketing, I imagine. Seems he made a few nice pictures, then marketed the **** out of them. Like Disney, persuaded customers to buy references to sentimental stories.

[quintr]

Kincade dies

[Babba Gi]

Prices are being marked up at garage sales all over the south. It’s schlock art best viewed while eating a “Happy Meal.” This fine art is best hung between the Billy-Bass and the Jackalope.

[WashingtonSource]

I disagree. They are sentimental, but they are good art. The sophisticates hate sentimentality. They also hate Christians. Ergo, their disdain. This is not “velvet Elvis.” This is more of a classic style that will survive the ages.

And why the gratuitous slap at the South? These paintings are equally popular in every part of the nation, Canada, and all over the world.

Have you ever been to a sidewalk art show in New York? Talk about shlock!

[patriot08]

That’s so sad.
Rip, Mr. Kinkade.

[Twinkie]

There are always two sides to every story; and Christ is ultimately the judge we’ll all have to face.

[tanknetter]

They are sentimental, but they are good art.

Respectfully, he couldn't hold a candle to Paul Landry or William S. Phillips. Two of my favorite paintings are Landry's "It's A Wonderful Christmas" and Phillips' "Cape Neddick Dawn". See below:

[mkleesma]

“They forgot to mention that besides his beautiful paintings, Mr. Kinkade was also the manager of the Patridge family.”

Thanks - you made me squirt coffee out of my nose!