Kinkade?

the only question is do YOU like it? If you do then to heck with what other artists think.

many like making fun of his stuff. calling him a sell out. when i he found a way to sell his items before PODs came out (he has an account here btw). i think his work is ok, its a little bit the same, but he found a formula and made it work. from my understanding he took photos and painted right on top of them. and as melissa says, it only matters if you like it.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

LOL, I don't like all of his stuff but I do like light influenced paintings in general, I care more about people who would buy paintings for sure, I was just curious.

Wow I didn't know he painted on photos, if that's true, huh.

Personally I like his art but LOVE his business acumen.

there is an image in there, i know exactly where it comes from, he just added the lights and flowers. but that's what i read that he does it like that. i'm not sure where he got the material for those cottage scenes though. his work charms some, and annoys others. he paints the perfect life in a sort of rockwell world where everyone gets along, and its almost never sunny. where the lights never turn off, where there are always puddles of some kind.

i liked his cottage scenes and night shots of the 30's the most. i couldn't say i'm a fan, but it brings me into a different world and that's always neat.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Nothing against Kinkade Ken - not especially my taste. Perhaps too sweet and formula. However I really like YOUR take on light - especially "Fastnet Light Ireland"

Thank you I appreciate that James! I am still trying to create a style!

Yeah, I wouldn't really call your work Kinkade-esque. It has more of a folksy Americana type vibe.

Yeah well I am not trying to be a copycat, but I have had quite a few people say that some paintings remind them of Kinkade.

I agree with Mike, Kinkade found a formula and stuck with it, even had other people painting for him (didn't the Masters have assistant painters?). The thing was he had control and designed what was going on in that painting. His painting technique was very good, his paintings were formulated for a certain market. His work was busy, seemingly thousands of flowers everywhere and every blade of grass and leaf could be counted and a lot of the same shapes repeated, overwhelming in my opinion. Put his work in a room and suddenly it looks overdone in the design, reminds me of Victorian interiors with masses of flowers and ferns and every piece of furniture with curving shapes and lots of it.

Your work is not like Kinkads, it has a peaceful feeling because there isn't as much going on in the design. Granted I think we all have a tendency to want to keep adding on, I have to work at trying to keep it simple! Picasso said it took him his whole life to learn how to paint abstract.

from my understanding he also hid religious stuff in there as well. sort of an easter egg. though i never found any.

just paint what you know and a style will come out. i started doing my colorizing thing about 5-6months ago. i didn't have a method or style. but built one up. took about 3 months of trial and error. and you can do the same thing as well. paint what you know or have around you. what you'll find is, even if you wanted to change, you won't be able too. and that's when you know you have your style...

and if worse comes to worse you can paint a happy little bush or a happy little cloud.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Not saying you're trying to be a copycat, and I believe that they've told you it looks like Kinkade. People tell me that about my work too, and it looks nothing like his. I think the name Kinkade is somehow synonymous in modern culture with cute or, as Mike said, charming art, and they are trying to compliment you by inferring that your work has the artistic merit to be popular like his work is. When they tell me that, I just smile and nod and thank them for their kind words. They're not usually buyers anyway.

I love a good folk style painting as April said some of your designs have a folksy vibe.

IF you like the luminescence style I recommend painters like Beirstadt who directly influenced kinkade.

Wish I could afford one of your originals, Ken!! Love your style. I don't see Kinkade, at all.

I like what I've seen of Kinkade's earlier works, but you couldn't pay me to put up one of his later pieces. Yes, he hired people to do some kind of assembly-line painting, but I'm not sure of the extent. When I lived in the same area as he did, I met a guy whose daughter worked in his studio. He said she "painted over" -- whatever that means. Maybe he did an original sketch or something and had workers fill them in. It was a long time ago, and my memory is fuzzy.

What Suzanne said.

"from my understanding he took photos and painted right on top of them."

Where are you getting this "understanding?" A quick Google search turns up no such information. There are, however, lots of articles saying exactly the opposite; that he was an extraordinary painter who could complete an entire painting (wet on wet) in one sitting with no reference material at all.

I think it's a stretch to think he never used reference material, but who knows?


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

By the way, your works dont look anything like his works. I really like your style of light/dark which is my favorite style.

Thanks for all the responses I appreciate everyone's take on my paintings, I guess I will paint the way I want if people like it great, if not that's ok too!

He probably meant that his work was printed on canvas and she painted over the canvas with acrylic paint in certain spots. My sister bought a Kincade like that years ago for her husband. He still has it hanging in his office.

He was a romantic realist, the equal of a romantic novelist. Not an innovator and not any earth shattering contributions to the art world. If you like his work and it makes you feel better, cool! Enjoy!

Thanks Patricia, I have my paintings on hear priced high mainly because I have a regular job and I haven't done any art events yet, so I don't know what price I will set them at till I do an event and see what price sells. So I figure I will shoot for the stars until that time.

Ken, some of your pieces have a very Currier and Ives feel, which is very marketable.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I will check their work out Dan!

My opinion of Kinkade is positive. His skill was amazing.

Anybody who derides him, despite claims they might make, are, in fact, shallow self-interested to the point of being blind to his skill.

Would I hang one of his originals? No, not my thing, but, in another life, I would learn how to do what he did the way he did it, and then take it in my own new direction.

"What is the point in judging another artist's way of working or results of their creating? Does it make you a better artist? Does it make your art sell? Is there any positive result that ever comes from judging another artist's creation?"

ah I do this all the time, but to goodly ends. Not to criticize others or put down anyone, but to enhance and embrace many many ideas, to borrow ideas, etc.........use ideas, form new ideas....etc.....

The fast track to design, creating, to inventing is to build on anything you see or hear. Absolutely no one here got here working in a vacuum. No one here should be kidding themselves that ideas they have did not come from somewhere outside of them. It is a matter of how fast you come to understand outside ideas and incorporate them in your work.

I know Amadeus was just a movie, but at one point in it Mozart is watching a woman speak and he seemingly drifts off. The next thing you know he has created a masterpiece of an opera. The lead singer is hitting the back wall of the concert hall with all the intonations of what it was that Mozart perceived when he heard a woman talking.

BUT.....big BUTT to proper up yourself in public by putting down anyone else's work not only wont ever work, but just says to me that the commentator's is having some problems working. And that they need a whipping boy.

Dave

Jesse Barnes is a "light painter" who's better than Kincaid, in my opinion. My sister used to collect his prints. Here's a sample: https://americangallery.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/jesse-barnes-1936/

Dave is absolutely spot-on with his comments! There is something to learn from every artist's work (whether we consider it good or bad). If we can identify just what it is about the most successful work that appeals to buyers, we can use that knowledge, adapt it to suit our own style, and maybe attract more buyers. No need to criticize - just learn, adapt and apply!

According to the New York Post,..."Thomas Kinkade, was noted for mass marketing his printed reproductions of idyll, bucolic scenes."

Again, the marketing expertise comes into play and not so much the art.

To me, good art must evoke.. Kinkade's work does the opposite. It's the artistic equivalent of Ambien.

(Not a criticism. Just an observation).

RE:..."bucolic scenes."

Aren't they images of people dying a horrible death as a result of a highly contagious plague?

Roger-

google

bu·col·ic
byo͞oˈkälik/Submit
adjective

of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
"the church is lovely for its bucolic setting"
synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside

Ken, I'm not going to comment on Kinkade but I WILL say that your work is amazing! Well done.

I wouldn't pay to see a Kincaid exhibit if there ever was one.

But i'd look at one if my aunt wanted to show me her collection.

Ed,

We had a Thomas Kinkade store here in CT. It was in the best mall in the US by sales/square feet.

Back in the late 1980s I entered that store. It was one hell of an eye opener. What I aspired to as an artist
and what millions of people want as art are two very different things. Just is what it is. Because Kinkade
made what millions of people wanted, he became a great businessman. I don think it was necessarily the other
way around. He got the pulse of the buyer and made an honest trade.

Dave

Thanks Gary!

Here is my rendition of "Light" photography! lol Looking at it I realize I need to brighten all the lights.



Leslie, all your work is gorgeous. You have an ability to make those larger animals come alive. You should do more of them, what I saw was stunning.



It is OK to paint over someone's photography even without their permission or use it for reference as long as it is not an exact copy.

I truly do not care for Kinkade's work. We have had similar discussions on him many times. What did surprise me about him was his earlier works, he was an excellent landscape painter prior to going in the soft romantic direction. Talent? He had gobs! He is an artist I felt could have truly made an impact on the art world but did not. Laughing all the way to the bank? Perhaps, wonder if he had of gone another direction if he would have been so depressed? We all want and need money but I don't think it is the answer to all problems.

Ronald, exactly! As Glenn said, he was able to wrest his work back from the big marketers, and who knows what great works he could have painted after that? Sure, I'm all for "feel-good" warm and fuzzy art (sometimes created for the masses), but I also like art that is thought-provoking, as well.

Ken, I hope you'll keep on painting! Can't wait to see what you do next.

Ronald your comments puts some things into balance about fame and money. A someone recently in a thread said "Fame and money is overrated." I couldn't forget what he said, it was a leveler, it made me stop and think how true his statement was and not to major on these things.

It seems when people work for movie companies (Disney in Kinkade's case) they come out knowing a lot about marketing. That may have had something to do with Kinkade's business acumen.

Something interesting has happened on my screen, I clicked and the right side of the page moved in and now I see Shaun's coding for this page! Does anyone have any requests for how it can be done better?!! lol

Ron,

What kind of Impact are you speaking of? What specifically do you think that he didn't do, that he could have? How should he have done it? Who should he have been working with?

He passed away at 54 years old... a pretty young age. He received tons of accolades and awards for his work and involvement with charitable contributions . He rubbed elbows with the elite... all over the world! He employed many people. He helped make the general public aware of art again and put it within their grasp. His work is still selling. We are still talking about him! There are many artists here on FAA that attempt to emulate his style.

I'm just a bit perplexed as to why he should have top go through the same channels that others went through in order to be thought more kindly of by the art community. It's apparent that he was an entrepreneur and that an upbringing in next to poverty had a huge impact on why he went the direction that he did. That is... chasing the American Dream.

He and his wife stood in front of grocery stores in the parking lot trying to sell large prints at $19.99! Didn't get many buyers in the early days. But I'm sure those that did buy back then are pretty happy that they did!

I happen to think that he did very thought provoking work. He just wasn't interested in supplying a disturbing message or social banter. Of course in today's climate I guess he might be thought of as a disturber of the peace. A renegade out of the mainstream.

Glenn, what did he add to art? You can be famous, rich etc. and yet accomplish little when it comes to art. Look at music and who the most successful pop artist are. There are great composers and musicians out there contributing far more to music than that. How about novelist? Romantic novels do very well but it is hard to argue that they are great works of literature, popular? Sure but that does not equate too fantastic contributions to the art of writing. I know you think a lot of his work and actually you were the one who got me looking at his earlier work in the first place.

Maybe Kinkaide didn't paint on photos but he had his workers paint on his prints.

http://ashleycummock.com/blog/2014/04/19/angry-man-realizes-his-kinkade-painting-is-worthless/

There is also some controversy over his use of assembly style line mass production.

http://beforeitsnews.com/arts/2012/05/thomas-kinkade-art-scandal-continues-to-unfold-2170107.html

I wonder if he were able to read the comments in this (and previous threads), he would just smile and basically give everyone the infamous "flying fickle finger of fate salute". :)

Ron,

My questions at the top of my last post would make it clear as to what you expect that he should have done. It seems that he was missing something that you still have not put your finger on. What did he not accomplish in art? What is the ultimate goal that seems to be hard to define? That he didn't influence others art towards the better? That could be argued very easily. That he went for art that would be acceptable to the masses rather than being auctioned to the wealthy at Sotheby's?

I actually don't think near as much of his work as you might think. I would argue the same points if the discussion revolved around G. Harvey or Terry Redlin... or Peter Lik.

The greatest argumentation against Thomas Kinkade comes from what lies underneath the leaves. He was into the Christian Market. The Christian market very rarely gets anything from the artsy crowd. It must be on their terms or you are out.

Yawn... so what if someone else touched up his prints. They didn't rearrange them. They just highlighted. Big Deal. He gave them authorization! Do your homework. So what if he had massed produced his art. The demand was there... like no peer during his time. What's the big deal? His presentation was quality and looks like quality hanging on the wall. It takes peoples breath away.

Again...

"I've never been at odds with the world of contemporary artists. If there is any animosity, it's one-sided."
Thomas Kinkade

Gee. If you're a highly successful artist, living or dead, all you need to do is read the FAA forum to see how you've sold out, not lived up to your potential, cheated, got lucky, knew the right people, produced shallow art, accomplished little, had your assistants do it for you, fooled your buyers, did nothing to further art, and in fact damaged the reputation of and ruined the market for "real" artists.

Is that about right?


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

The assembly line is a different issue from his art style or is it? The article makes some serious allegations concerning Kinkade marketing them (the article claims Kinkade sold/marketed them as originals) for $10,000 when they were painted in assembly line style in South Korea then sent to the States and signed by him. The article says it is lawsuit territory concerning making false claims.

I agree with you Glen some of the high end art world painting choices and subjects are not what I would choose.

This sounds very serious, if it is true buyers should be aware of what they have bought if it was sold as an original:

"More and more evidence is mounting to support the claims that Kinkade and his companies sold mass produced oil paintings made in South Korea and/or China and sold them as Kinkade originals. This is criminal activity and all parties involved could face substantial prison time if brought to trial. It is clearly time for the California State Attorney General's Office to look into this massive art fraud perpetrated by Windermere Holdings LLC and Pacific Metro LLC, also known as The Thomas Kinkade Company."

Suzanne... the article is full of... stuff!

Never did the Kinkade Company ever sell a reproduction as an Original in the 16 years I was part of the gallery chain. Coilld it be that they were selling "Original Reproductions from the Kinkade Company" rather than reproductions from another publisher? It does make a difference.

The uninformed (usually those who would not listen to the person they were purchasing it from) thought they were getting an original painting from time to time. I'm sure that there are some that buy reprints from FAA that are surprised to find they are not originals. It happens... and some of the complaints that I heard over the years could be pretty astounding. Especially when it came to secondary market perceptions.

The article was written in 2012. What happened to the accusations? It's so easy to print things without taking responsibility for irresponsibility!

With all due respect... but their are some pretty big shysters in the world of art... and some different rules and tactics for selling overseas. Like "none" to some sellers. Can't blame Mr. Kinkade for profiteers taking advantage. They rip off art and reproduce things without conscience in many of those countries. But they wouldn't do it for just any old artist!

Dan... you are so right on in your last statements.

Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone. I'm heading to the Sheraton in........... near Ventura, California!

Glen apparently Kinkade did sell oils (maybe the prints that had oils applied) because I keep hearing this. If my memory serves me right I remember reading somewhere different price structures for Kinkades artwork and some of it was very expensive. There was a lot of advertising of his work some years ago and it was extremely popular, it seems everyone owned a Kinkade print. I think this is what Pat's friends daughter who worked near her may have been doing, as Pat remembers her saying she applied paint to something in working for Kinkade. Now whether it was sold as an original as the article claims I don't know except for this article which sounds like they know what they are talking about and not just hearsay. If buyers bought a Kinkade for $10,000 as the article suggests I would assume it would be an original and not a print.

Glenn if you get a chance pop on by art city. It is off of Dubbers lane in the ave area of Ventura. Sculpture. Is what they do there mostly stone carving. Ask for Paul Lindhart, he is the main person there. Very interesting place!

Suzanne,

$10,000 maybe got someone a Studio Proof that Mr. Kinkade did some highlighting on. His originals (Yes, originals were for sale too) generally were $100,000.00 to over 1 million is asking price.

I was there in the very beginning.... and disengaged in 2010. Never did I see, or hear, a company representative misrepresent what was being offered to the general public. The company... with over 600 employees at one time... couldn't police what some of them may have said somewhere along the line. Especially those who left disgruntled.

My wife is going to be angry if she sees me on this keyboard again. Be back Sunday night.

If I get the chance I'll check it out Ronald. My family has big plans for this weekend.

It is interesting to note Kinkade has many fans mostly older who come to exhibitions of his originals paintings that are made into prints. Thomas was a showman but now his brother is the spokesperson. Thomas was smart, after his print business began to do well he stopped selling originals but continued to paint for the print business. There are hundreds of originals kept in a vault. Originals are rolled out for the next showing of new prints. It is said they will not run out of originals for many years to come.

Have a great weekend!