Artist Thomas Kinkade dies in California at age 54

[Colight]

SAN FRANCISCO – Artist Thomas Kinkade, whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches have been big sellers for dealers across the United States, 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.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/07...#ixzz1rLEpdDyE

I had a chance to work with him for a few weeks back when he was doing his Holy Land series...
He was Solid and quite down to earth..( He even laughed at some of my jokes)

He will be missed

[Watchman]

Thanks for the info, Colight. Yes, Mr Kinkade will be missed. His art is a blessing.

W

[jayne]

I'm very partial to his paintings where he used various shades of red. He was a very gifted artist and I am sorry to hear of his passing.

[Warrior4God]

Sad indeed. I enjoy many of his paintings. Kinkade was a very talented artist that will be missed by many. I was curious about something that I read in the article, though. It stated this about some people in regards to their opinion of Kinkade...

"Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment."
What, in particular, did the "art establishment" have against Thomas Kinkade's art?

[Colight]

What, in particular, did the "art establishment" have against Thomas Kinkade's art?

You could enjoy the beauty of his art with out heavy drug use.

[ChristianCoffee]

He was an amazingly gifted man. He will be missed.

I love his stuff.

[Saved7]

That's sad. He was a fabulous painter.

[Jeanne D]

I'm so sorry to hear this. He was a gifted artist.

Jeanne

[Free Indeed]

"Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment."
What, in particular, did the "art establishment" have against Thomas Kinkade's art?

He was often criticized by other artists for what was seen as pandering. His works were very commercially-oriented, and were more geared toward making money than self-expression.

Nevertheless, he was very talented at what he did, and created some very beautiful pieces.

[Warrior4God]

He was often criticized by other artists for what was seen as pandering. His works were very commercially-oriented, and were more geared toward making money than self-expression.

Nevertheless, he was very talented at what he did, and created some very beautiful pieces.

Sounds like other artists were a bit, shall we say, envious at Mr. Kinkade's ability to be financially successful at what he did? Well, with the hard economic times we live in, it's understandable to see why these "starving artists" felt this way.

[canvasjockey]

Very sad to him go so young.

He was a genius at marketing, artists could learn a lot from him in that respect. His artwork was so-so, but he identified his market and promoted his work brilliantly. He remained popular in spite of some controversial behavior, and now will be missed my many. Not my cup o' tea, but I'm glad so many can enjoy his work!

[Lefty]

Sad indeed. I enjoy many of his paintings. Kinkade was a very talented artist that will be missed by many. I was curious about something that I read in the article, though. It stated this about some people in regards to their opinion of Kinkade...

"Kinkade's sentimental paintings, with their scenes of country gardens and churches in dewy morning light, were beloved by middlebrow America but reviled by the art establishment."
What, in particular, did the "art establishment" have against Thomas Kinkade's art?

I wonder. Suppose one of these art establishment people happened to be taking an early morning walk and stopped to look around and notice he was standing in dappled light on a flowered path near a country cottage. Would he A- Happily absorb his surroundings? or B- Feel his senses were being assaulted and run away? If A, then why would he criticize a painting of a scene similar to what he was standing in?

[Sojourner55]

I too, was saddened at his passing. Despite the critics, he was a gifted painter, able to do amazing things with light. You know, I have to wonder, how did the critics in the art industry who criticized Kincaid's commercial success make a living? Surely they would not stoop to profiting financially from the art world?

[GitRDunn]

The Art industry was just upset with him because he was popular and he was still alive. Don't you know that artists aren't allowed to become popular until after they have passed away?

(jk; he will be sorely missed as he was a very gifted painter.)

[Warrior4God]

I too, was saddened at his passing. Despite the critics, he was a gifted painter, able to do amazing things with light. You know, I have to wonder, how did the critics in the art industry who criticized Kincaid's commercial success make a living? Surely they would not stoop to profiting financially from the art world?

Maybe they stood on street corners with cardboard signs that read, "Will paint art for food."