Thomas Kinkade

[GreenMunchkin]

I only heard about him a couple of days ago, but apparently he's huge in the States with Evangelical Christians, and I just wanted to find out who here has his paintings, and whether you like them Here's an example of one, in case you've not seen any:

 

[Sphinx777]

Thomas Kinkade (born January 19, 1958 in Sacramento, California) is an American painter of realistic, bucolic, and idyllic subjects. He is most notable for the mass marketing of his work as printed reproductions and other licensed products via The Thomas Kinkade Company. He is self described as "Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light" (a trademarked phrase), and as "America's most-collected living artist". It is estimated that 1 in 10 homes in the U.S. feature some form of Thomas Kinkade’s art or licensed product.

He has received criticism for the extent to which he has commercialized his art -- for example, selling his prints on the QVC home shopping network. Others have written that his paintings are merely kitsch, without substance, and described it as chocolate box art.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Yeah, I know the art critics hate him, and they may be correct that his work is 'without substance' in the artistic sense. I totally don't care. I like a lot of it anyway. And I don't have anything against it being mass-marketed. That just means everybody can own it if they want, which is a good thing, the opposite of elitism... and that may be the larger reason the critics hate him.

 

[Sketcher]

There's a lot out there which I find more interesting, but I don't dislike Kinkade. He's doing his thing, and he's good at it. More power to him.

 

[porterross]

We have a very large Kinkade-esque painting in the lobby of our office. It's very soothing.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

We have a very large Kinkade-esque painting in the lobby of our office. It's very soothing.

If that's not an actual Kinkade, it's a good copy of his style.

I look at that not so much as art, but as a dream: Wouldn't that be a great place to live? Of course, only with broadband internet and a good espresso stand nearby.

 

[Simon_Templar]

I really could not possibly care less what art critics (or movie critics.. or pretty much any other critics) think about anything.

I like Kinkade paintings because they remind me of a window on a fairy tale/idyllic world in which I would like to live. Art critics and their substance are, as with most such things, for people who can't form their own opinions about things.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I like Kinkade paintings because they remind me of a window on a fairy tale/idyllic world in which I would like to live.

Yep, same reason I like them!

 

[porterross]

If something appeals to a person and they're willing to pay for it, the art has value. Some things that have passed for art with critical acclaim are less appealing than dog food.

 

[Cris413]

I enjoy looking at his stuff...I don't own any...and he certainly does capture light well.​

 

[ChristianMama84]

I love his work, it's beautiful! I wish I had the space to hang one of his paintings.

 

[A New Dawn]

I have one my husband got for me for my birthday a few years ago. It is beautiful!

Unfortunately, they are very expensive! (Or I'd have more. )

 

[Christian Soldier]

I own a couple.

Forget the critics! Kinkade is quite talented.

I consider Kinkade the "Andy Williams of the art world". In his heyday, Williams was generally despised by music critics, but enormously popular with the public. Likewise with Kinkade in the art world.

In their respective professions, Kinkade and Williams have touched the hearts of many through their God-given gifts.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Am indifferent about the seascape/cityscape/people ones... but several of the cottage one make me ache to be there. I understand you completely, Izzy: whether I like a particular painting is dependant on whether I'd like to live there or not, and all the beautiful, isolated (that bit's so important) little English-style cottages are a yeppers. Madness, I don't even want to post a picture of my favourite one because it feels like it'll become less isolated But this is a lovely one:

I read some stuff about him, actually... apparently Kinkade is a really unpleasant person (I so so hope that's not true ) but one blog thingy made me wonder about his popularity with Christians in terms of what it says about us.

Kinkade's paintings represent the problem with Christian art in the postmodern era. Most of his paintings are of isolated family cottages with gorgeously lit windows filled with light coming from within the home. He is called the painter of lights. Most of his paintings are devoid of people. On those rare occasions, when he does depict people, they are usually from some by gone era -the so-called good old days. All his paintings are pleasant, and peaceful, yet devoid of any kind of conflict or connection to the real world. This pleasant non conflict style is why the Evangelical Christian community has not produced one single world-class painter in the 20th century. Not one. And, there are none on the horizon.

Have we raised the home and family to the level of idolatry? This kind of art suggests that the home is the light of the world. The remoteness of these family cottages suggests the disconnection of the Christian family with the world. The absence of people and conflict suggest withdrawal from a lost and hurting world. In fact these cottages are surrounded by absolute beauty -flowers, and gorgeous landscapes -far removed from other people and neighbors. Is the family really the light of the world? Should the family be so disconnected from the world? Should Christians surround themselves with such purity?

There is also current an obsession with the all things Victorian. There is even a longing for the so-called family-centered 1950s. Christians seem to be escaping to fantasy worlds the really never existed. Historical amnesia has set in.
If you are a Christian who connects to the postmodern world you will get grief. It seems to me that the greatest value among certain Christians these days is to at stay home and away from the world. Surround yourself with flowers, Victorian knickknacks, pleasant print art, and attend Family worship centers. See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.

The article goes on to say some stuff I disagree with fairly strongly in terms of what we should and shouldn't expose ourselves to culturally, but the bit I quoted seems really valid. The ache to be alone in one of those cottages says it all, really, and probably does run counter to Jesus' command to spread the Gospel.

Am wondering whether many Christians (and I very much speak for myself here, too) feel overwhelmed by the state of the world nowadays, and would prefer to hide in a Kinkade painting.

 

[Apollo Celestio]

Yeah, these look akin to what you see on Christmas Cards. Art isn't really my thing, so I can't complain. I normally try to figure out what paintings mean before going "wow, pretty." I do the opposite here.. But as I said Art isn't really my thing so art analysis isn't my best thing either.

 

[A New Dawn]

Am indifferent about the seascape/cityscape/people ones... but several of the cottage one make me ache to be there. I understand you completely, Izzy: whether I like a particular painting is dependant on whether I'd like to live there or not, and all the beautiful, isolated (that bit's so important) little English-style cottages are a yeppers. Madness, I don't even want to post a picture of my favourite one because it feels like it'll become less isolated But this is a lovely one:

I read some stuff about him, actually... apparently Kinkade is a really unpleasant person (I so so hope that's not true ) but one blog thingy made me wonder about his popularity with Christians in terms of what it says about us.The article goes on to say some stuff I disagree with fairly strongly in terms of what we should and shouldn't expose ourselves to culturally, but the bit I quoted seems really valid. The ache to be alone in one of those cottages says it all, really, and probably does run counter to Jesus' command to spread the Gospel.

Am wondering whether many Christians (and I very much speak for myself here, too) feel overwhelmed by the state of the world nowadays, and would prefer to hide in a Kinkade painting.

Or it could be looked at in a different way. We know the world was better off back then, the world (and the people) were more Christian. I think that many Christians like them because they look like the peace Jesus offers. My picture is coupled with a plaque that talks about the book of John in the Bible. So, I'm sure that that person's critique might have described how he felt about it, but I don't think the feeling is universal.

 

[porterross]

Am wondering whether many Christians (and I very much speak for myself here, too) feel overwhelmed by the state of the world nowadays, and would prefer to hide in a Kinkade painting.

Mmmmmm....for my part, I've always found solace in a bit of isolation as the world and what is has to offer can be a bit limited. IMO, it is in the quiet stillness of nature that knowing God and ourselves is easiest and being uninterrupted during that experience is critical.

Relationships and evangelizing are important and total, long-term isolation isn't good, but there's no reason we should be expected to be in the worldly mix all the time, especially while raising children. They need to be solidly grounded in order to realize that what the world would have them believe as normal and usual is indeed not the case.

Didn't Jesus go off into nature when He needed to focus? That's good enough for me.

 

[Rhamiel]

not my cup of tea, I have to agree with that blog that GM posted, his work seems to out of touch with the "real world" it is very plesant and from time to time a few of his winter landscapes are nice, but his spring and summer pictures, the flowers are too bright, the rivers too idylic, almost seems shallow in some ways.

 

[Cris413]

Hi GM…

I didn’t quote your post but I would like to share my personal experience with art. We’ve all heard of the “Tortured Artist Effect” Many artists use art as a way of assuaging their pain, turmoil, angst, grief, confusion, rage and so on…

I know that’s how it was for me back in my BC days. All of that inner turmoil needed an outlet…and for many that outlet is writing, painting, sculpting, music…and I might add…usually accompanied by drug and alcohol abuse.

It’s not unusual at all for painters, writers and musicians and such to also way over indulge in drink and drugs.

The “myth” is that artist “need” be tortured to create anything of value. I don’t believe that’s true…I’m just saying that often in creative types…who are in a state of torment…art is their outlet. A high level of torment does not always a talented artist make.

So I don’t find it unusual there might not be all that many significant “Christian” artists. Art is generally something from within that goes out in artistic expression and it appeals to those who share and can relate to the “emotion” that drives the artist. Sadly…I consider many more people relate to the turmoil expressed in art than to Christian subject matter.

When I started walking with the Lord…I no longer had the need to “get it out” but more so to “give it up” to God.

LOL…I often wonder what a psychologist would think of my writings and paintings…it was either one ditch or the other…filled with anger and hostility…or calming, beautiful and peaceful things.

I still have one notebook of my poetry from back in my BC days…and I read it from time to time and I think…what a tortured soul I was back in those days.

I don’t have any of my drawings and paintings… because usually I would destroy the work shortly after completing it…

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I agree, Cris. I'm not sure why it's seen as "cool" to be all tortured and cynical. As if being hopeful and positive is on a par with being vapid. The one thing I despise about art is how unbelievably pretentious it can be - or, at least, the world and culture surrounding it. Happiness and hopefulness and joy aren't cool, perhaps, but they are wonderful

Here's another:

Tis the only non-cottage one I like, but the thing is, it really is extraordinarily beautiful to look at. I don't think seeing its beauty is specific to Evangelical Christians, but that's his reputation, for some reason.