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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Suggestions >> A Thomas Kinkade Challenge
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 04/07/2012 09:26:35 AM · #1
Its a sad day, Thomas Kinkade has died. He was my inspiration and helped me form my vision in my photography. He was 54. Rest in Peace Mr. Kinkade.

I would like to propose a landscape, or a painting with light challenge to honor him.
 04/07/2012 11:29:10 AM · #2
+1
 04/07/2012 11:36:56 AM · #3
OMG - 2 weeks ago I wrote up a Thomas Kinkade challenge suggestion, but decided not to post it, LOL.

I had nothing to do with his death....
 04/07/2012 11:39:55 AM · #4
While Thomas Kinkade's work was not among my favorites, he was an inspiration to many. It would be an interesting Challenge to try to interpret his work.
 04/07/2012 12:03:12 PM · #5
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.
 04/07/2012 12:23:27 PM · #6
Originally posted by SaraR:
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.


Agree.

Sorry to hear of his death.
 04/07/2012 02:26:56 PM · #7
From the article in Alice's link:

"His paintings are hanging in an estimated one of every 20 homes in the United States. Fans cite the warm, familiar feeling of his mass-produced works of art, while it has become fashionable for art critics to dismiss his pieces as tacky. In any event, his prints of idyllic cottages and bucolic garden gates helped establish a brand -- famed for their painted highlights -- not commonly seen in the art world."

While my home is one of the estimated other 19 in 20, I still have to admit, I did like his use of light and I think it would make for an interesting challenge to interpret, agreeing with Alice, in our own way.

I guess if it's too "trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately meaningless", one could certainly engage in more meaningful (to you) endeavors and sit the challenge out.

04/07/2012 03:58:18 PM · #8
Kinkade was a perfect example of how art loved by the masses will almost always be dismissed by the critics. People loved his paintings because they were good. They loved them because it evoked a feeling in them. I'm not hoity-toity(only word I know to describe it) art critic but to me it was good art and not "tacky" at all.
 04/07/2012 04:13:02 PM · #9
Originally posted by SaraR:
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.


Agree. I don't understand the popularity of his art. But to each his own and I appreciate his success. Sorry to hear of his death.
 04/07/2012 04:20:52 PM · #10
+1 This challenge would produce some amazing results IMO.
 04/07/2012 05:27:48 PM · #11
Does the p stand for painting?
 04/07/2012 08:09:10 PM · #12

This is what a house looks like a split-second before the natural gas explosion blows it apart.

Sorry to hear of his passing, but I never did understand his popularity. Where would you find the snowy middle earth village where you could shoot the sort of stuff he painted?
 04/07/2012 08:19:37 PM · #13
Oddly enough, you can say you don't like his paintings, I totally agree. However, there is no questioning his talent. Someone with skill and popularity, selling out with schlocky modern style currier and ives style paintings. a lot of people have skill and make totally worthless drivel, no?
 04/07/2012 08:20:27 PM · #14
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Where would you find the snowy middle earth village where you could shoot the sort of stuff he painted?


he was from the area i currently live in (lucky me!) and painted quite a few of the older houses in town (placerville, CA). of course, i am visiting family in australia right now... so can we hold off for a few weeks until i get home? haha
 04/07/2012 08:53:42 PM · #15
Originally posted by SaraR:
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.

Enough with the sugarcoating.
 04/07/2012 09:34:16 PM · #16
Originally posted by SaraR:
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.


As opposed to this absolutely amazing display of talent?

04/07/2012 09:55:25 PM · #17
Originally posted by chazoe:
Originally posted by SaraR:
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.


As opposed to this absolutely amazing display of talent?


I think this was done in the 1940's. Never heard of anybody trying to compare Kinkade to Picasso. I take it you don't think Picasso was a talented artist. Maybe you would like some of his earlier pink or blue period work.
 04/07/2012 09:57:45 PM · #18
chazoe - there are so many different kinds of art. Some artists depict a world like that of Norman Rockwell, some like Picasso, Monet, or even Rothko. And yes, some like Thomas Kinkade.

A friend once described a painting which she didn't understand or like, as "it is so awful that it makes me see red!" What was special about this observation was that it evoked a strong emotion and made her think differently about a concept.

It is possible to describe art in many ways. Kinkade had a style and a theme that resonated with many people and gave them pleasure. As did the others I mentioned, and indeed, every artist.

It is also the prerogative of every viewer of art to say "I like" or "I don't like" an artist's view.
04/07/2012 10:05:09 PM · #19
Originally posted by insteps:
Originally posted by chazoe:
Originally posted by SaraR:
I think there must be a cultural element to the appeal of his paintings - in Britain they are the preserve of jigsaw puzzles (for which they seem well suited) and low end boarding houses and guest houses. To my eye they seem trite, kitsch, repetitive and ultimately pretty meaningless.


As opposed to this absolutely amazing display of talent?


I think this was done in the 1940's. Never heard of anybody trying to compare Kinkade to Picasso. I take it you don't think Picasso was a talented artist. Maybe you would like some of his earlier pink or blue period work.


I actually like a lot of Picasso's early stuff. I was just trying to show how different art can be and how it can be perceived. To my eye that Picasso looks like it could be done by a child. That was the point of my post. Never really comparing Kinkade to Picasso.
 04/08/2012 12:26:56 AM · #20
Originally posted by chazoe:
I actually like a lot of Picasso's early stuff. I was just trying to show how different art can be and how it can be perceived. To my eye that Picasso looks like it could be done by a child. That was the point of my post. Never really comparing Kinkade to Picasso.


Picasso DID make a point of telling us âEvery child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.â

R.
 04/08/2012 10:47:32 AM · #21
Kinkade's paintings are terrible.
 04/08/2012 12:19:49 PM · #22
Originally posted by Spork99:
Kinkade's paintings are terrible.


his photos are even worse.
 04/13/2012 03:04:59 PM · #23
god forbid anyone think this thread is resurrected for the belief that I support a kinkade challenge, I don't. and most of his stuff is schlocky currier and ives hobbit hole glowing shots. All I ever said was that he has talent- very poorly used most of the time. I wouldn't ever own a kinkade, and the stench of his popular drivel would be on anything he touched, but here is some plein air work that shows a touch of promise.plein air kinkade images

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