I don't really know how to introduce this

[tooblue]

Not my kind of art, but I kind of admire Kinkade for sticking by his guns and painting the way he wanted to. Did anyone ever interview him and ask him why he didn't experiment a little with other styles and subjects?

He was very unapologetic for his work. He felt strongly that he was like Walt Disney or, Norman Rockwell and that what he created made people happy. It's hard for me to argue with that—that his art appears to make people happy, not that he was like Disney or Rockwell.

He was much maligned in the art world with a certain viscousness that reminds me of how McNaughton is treated here in this thread. I think their art is comparable in the sense that their sincerity and vision of what they wish to contribute to the world with their creativity is similar. And really, their sincerity is no different than any other artist's.

[CardiacCoug]

He was very unapologetic for his work. He felt strongly that he was like Walt Disney or, Norman Rockwell and that what he created made people happy. It's hard for me to argue with that—that his art appears to make people happy, not that he was like Disney or Rockwell.

He was much maligned in the art world with a certain viscousness that reminds me of how McNaughton is treated here in this thread. I think their art is comparable in the sense that their sincerity and vision of what they wish to contribute to the world with their creativity is similar. And really, their sincerity is no different than any other artist's.

Sure, Kinkade was maligned for his art but he was detested for running what amounted to a scam on people who purchased Thomas Kinkade "franchises" but then were undercut by Kinkade on pricing and so basically lost their investments to Kinkade.

He was a bad guy not unlike the people who run MLMs and investment scams.

EDIT: Also I should add that not unlike many Utah-based scam artists, Kinkade used religion (in his case a dubious Christian born-again conversion story) to enrich himself.

[tooblue]

Sure, Kinkade was maligned for his art but he was detested for running what amounted to a scam on people who purchased Thomas Kinkade "franchises" but then were undercut by Kinkade on pricing and so basically lost their investments to Kinkade.

He was a bad guy not unlike the people who run MLMs and investment scams.

Then, as a business man he wasn't any different than Warhol and yet Warhol is revered in the art world? It must simply be easier to forgive the sins of the "serious artist" as opposed to the one who is in it to make a buck or two ... if there is a difference‽

[wuapinmon]

The self-described “Painter of Light” has died:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...y.html?hpid=z2

Ever wonder why all the trees are thick with foliage and blooms, but there is smoke coming from every single chimney?

[Clark Addison]

Ever wonder why all the trees are thick with foliage and blooms, but there is smoke coming from every single chimney?

They are baking cinnamon rolls.

[SoCalCoug]

My sister-in-law gave us (among some other things) several Kinkade prints - a couple had been purchased for several hundred dollars.

We couldn't unload them on ebay or craigslist, and even the consignment store wouldn't take them.

[Non Sequitur]

He was very unapologetic for his work. He felt strongly that he was like Walt Disney or, Norman Rockwell and that what he created made people happy. It's hard for me to argue with that—that his art appears to make people happy, not that he was like Disney or Rockwell.

He was much maligned in the art world with a certain viscousness that reminds me of how McNaughton is treated here in this thread. I think their art is comparable in the sense that their sincerity and vision of what they wish to contribute to the world with their creativity is similar. And really, their sincerity is no different than any other artist's.

Cocaine also makes people happy. That doesn't make it art.

As far as McNaughton goes, he's a political hack who happens to be a skilled illustrator. That doesn't make him an artist.

[tooblue]

Cocaine also makes people happy. That doesn't make it art.

As far as McNaughton goes, he's a political hack who happens to be a skilled illustrator. That doesn't make him an artist.

Great red herring but, I'll roll with it ... I don't believe that because his art seems to make people happy that makes him an artist. I just can't argue with him that his paintings seem to make people happy. Which they do—he sold gazillions of prints made from them. His sincerity in using his art to try to make people happy makes him an artist. It's the intent that matters, even if his intent is also to make lot's of mullah.

Oh, and by the way, according to dictionary.com the definition of an Illustrator is: "an artist who makes illustrations" ... So, yah. He is an artist whether you want him to be or, not.

[tooblue]

They are baking cinnamon rolls.

No no no, I always imagined fresh bread!

[DU Ute]

Cocaine also makes people happy. That doesn't make it art.

As far as McNaughton goes, he's a political hack who happens to be a skilled illustrator. That doesn't make him an artist.

Cocaine seems appropriate. Sure, it might make you happy, but this "art" just breeds hatred and division just like cocaine eats away at your life.

I was thinking about this, and I've decided that it is ultimately unremarkable because there are tens of thousands of artists out there who could probably do as good or better at portraying the scenes he's painted. They have all the subtlety and nuance of a mallet over the head, there is nothing unique or special about them. It's just popular because of the subject painted and the political message it conveys. It is art as much as this is art:




I'm sure this was popular in Germany at the time

[tooblue]

My sister-in-law gave us (among some other things) several Kinkade prints - a couple had been purchased for several hundred dollars.

We couldn't unload them on ebay or craigslist, and even the consignment store wouldn't take them.

Prints of such works with their supposed and grossly inflated value is one of the best con games ever devised by man. Now, primarily because he is dead, if you can get your hands on one of his originals, well then ...

Even still, I could never bring myself to buy even an original.

[Non Sequitur]

Oh, and by the way, according to dictionary.com the definition of an Illustrator is: "an artist who makes illustrations" ... So, yah. He is an artist whether you want him to be or, not.

Come on, don't pretend you don't see the distinction. Just because someone knows where to put the commas doesn't mean they're a writer.

[tooblue]

Come on, don't pretend you don't see the distinction. Just because someone knows where to put the commas doesn't mean they're a writer.

You really want me to follow you down this rabbit hole? First, as we make our decent, let's decide—definitively—what is art. And when we've done that let's publish it for the whole world. I'm sure they'll agree. Because you and I most definitely know what art is.

[DU Ute]

You really want me to follow you down this rabbit hole? First, as we make our decent, let's decide—definitively—what is art. And when we've done that let's publish it for the whole world. I'm sure they'll agree. Because you and I, most definitely know what art is.

Is propaganda art? If it fits into your definition then this is art.

[Non Sequitur]

You really want me to follow you down this rabbit hole? First, as we make our decent, let's decide—definitively—what is art. And when we've done that let's publish it for the whole world. I'm sure they'll agree. Because you and I most definitely know what art is.

Before we decide -- definitively -- what art is, let's decide what it isn't...that's a much easier task.