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.
He certainly had his demons to fight. WIKI Bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kinkade#Personal_conduct
Sorry I am not sure I know the meaning of “kitschy”.
If you ever get a chance to go to a gallery that can adjust light when looking at one of his paintings, you’ll see that the lights in the windows, rooms and other places in the paintings really do light up. It’s cool.
Without sounding too insulting, it’s something that’s looks cheaply made, mass-produced. It’s not to that level. I guess I’ve just seen so much of Kincade’s work all over calendar’s, etc., that I do see it as that way. I know Rockwell stuff is the same way, but I just consider Rockwell cut above Kincade.
Don’t get me wrong, I would take a Kincade over a Pollock or a Bacon.
Yup. He was strange.
Though I admit, I liked some of his paintings, especially the street scenes.
Perfect! I agree.
Okay, I’m a little bit of an art snob.
I’M SORRY!!! I don’t criticize people who collect him, though. It’s there taste.
And, again, I appreciate him for the values he put through his paintings, so kitschy was too strong of a word.
Kitsch (English pronunciation: /ˈkɪtʃ/, loanword from German) is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value.
In the modern era, throwing paint at a canvas, or putting a crucifix in urine is "Art".
Paintings which celebrate beauty are inferior, worthless, and "kitschy". Sophisticated people do not purchase such works.
This saint is in Heaven now rejoicing with his Savior Jesus Christ.
I see you beat me to it.
I think the classic examples of "kitch" are paintings of large-eyed kittens, large-eyed children, anything painted on black velvet, etc.
exactly. And appreciate his convictions and am sorry to hear about his struggles and his early death, which he might just see as a promotion.
His orignials a while back used to fetch about $20K - $40K. I sure wouldn't have paid it, as I saw the upside as very limited. I think his after death prosepcts will focus on the volume of art he created. I don't think he massed produced originals (versus the opposite of copies (prints, giclees, etc.).
Due to that scarcity, I can see his original art going up, partially offset by the lack of artist quality.
“anything painted on black velvet, etc”
EVEN ELVIS!!!!!?
If you think that's easy ..............
Inspired by these galleries I installed multiple track lighting with dimmers all over my condo.
Most of what I hang is my own photography, but we just started collecting glass art. Glass has an intensity of color and reflection that is hard to get with oils.
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