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Artist Thomas Kinkade subject of FBI investigation

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Artist Thomas Kinkade under FBI investigation, ex-dealers say
RACHEL KONRAD
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - The FBI is investigating "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade and company executives over allegations that they fraudulently induced investors to open galleries, then ruined them financially.

Relying on information from former Kinkade dealers contacted by federal agents, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the FBI is focusing on issues raised in civil litigation by at least six former Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery owners.

At least 10 former dealers in Michigan, Virginia and other states have alleged in arbitration claims that Kinkade - a California native beloved by some but reviled by the art establishment - exploited his Christianity to persuade people to invest in the galleries, which sell only Kinkade's work.

After they had invested tens of thousands of dollars each, the ex-owners said, the company's policies drove them out of business. They say they were saddled with limited-edition prints no one wanted to buy, forced to open stores in inappropriate venues, and undercut by discount galleries peddling the same items at lower prices they couldn't match.

Some also say Kinkade - who claims he's the most widely collected living U.S. artist - schemed to devalue his public company, Media Arts Group Inc., so he could buy it on the cheap. In 2004, Kinkade and other investors paid $32.7 million to take Media Arts Group private, changing its name to Thomas Kinkade Co.

"These dealers became investors primarily because they were believers in faith, love, family and God, and the paintings reflect those values," said Joseph Ejbeh, a Rochester Hills, Mich.-based attorney who tried an arbitration case that began in San Francisco in December 2004. "A lot of these people were pulled into this scheme because of this representation, but what Thomas Kinkade's company did to them was despicable."

Kinkade Co. spokesman Jim Bryant said the Morgan Hill, Calif.-based company was unaware of any investigation by the FBI.

"We assert that there are no legitimate grounds for a federal investigation of any kind," Bryant said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press.

Bryant called recent news reports erroneous.

"We are disappointed that rumors and hearsay have been reported in the media in a manner that allows readers to assume legitimacy. The reporting also contains factual inaccuracies," Bryant wrote.

According to the newspaper, the FBI has asked dealers for documentation on retail sales policies, training materials from "Thomas Kinkade University" and correspondence, including e-mail.

FBI Special Agent Brian Wickham in San Jose declined to comment to the Times, citing the bureau's policy of neither confirming nor denying the existence of investigations in progress. He did not return a phone call Tuesday from AP.

Critics - including highbrow art aficionados, satirical bloggers and starving artists annoyed by Kinkade's marketing success - snicker at his work. His paintings typically include tranquil scenes of country gardens, churches, streams and lighthouses in dewy morning light. Many contain images from Bible passages.

Roughly 10 million Americans have a Kinkade painting at home. The wall hangings and spin-off products are said to fetch $100 million a year.

Earlier this year, Kinkade signed a deal with developers in a northern Idaho resort town to help design five lake-view houses that look like those in paintings such as "Beyond Autumn Gate." The houses start at $4 million.

My wife LOVES this guy's work...I never found it appealing at all.

More of an oil on velvet guy myself...dogs playing poker etc... ;)

This news makes me a little happy. I'm a devout christian but Thomas Kinkade detests me. I learned in one of my art history classes that Kinkade was a complete fraud.

Thomas Kinkade is art for the lowest common denominator. He's the Larry the Cable Guy of the art world (my apologies to those of you who like LtCG)

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Originally Posted by friarfan

Thomas Kinkade is art for the lowest common denominator. He's the Larry the Cable Guy of the art world (my apologies to those of you who like LtCG)

Damn.... and we own 3 Kinkades...... I need to park my trailer next to EZ's, I guess.

http://www.cameronyards.com/madden.jpg

who? wasn't he the older guy on the partridge family.

..and here I was all along thinking that it was the people who OWNED Kinkade prints who should be the target of Federal roundups. 10 out of 10 for the Bush Admin for going after the source instead.

If only Mapplethorpe was still alive... can you imagine a more fitting punishment for Kinkade than being handed over to Mapplethorpe as a subject for a "no holds (holes?) barred" photo session?

I always thought the PBS "happy clouds, happy trees" guy was Thomas Kincade.....seriously

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...b_at_Easel.jpg

Good stuff ... now if they can go after whoever creates those wonderful inspriational posters you see in some offices ... well, world peace will surely follow.
http://www.artinspires.com/Art/F102125.jpg

i own three kinkade pictures..

his pictures are so relaxing and evoke feelings of nostalgia and peace within me....

i guess i just have the ability to enjoy most any kind of art...

mappelthorpe is interesting for the "shock" factor..little else...

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Originally Posted by fresno bob

I always thought the PBS "happy clouds, happy trees" guy was Thomas Kincade.....seriously

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...b_at_Easel.jpg

Ah, Bob Ross. RIP. Awful art, but what a soothing voice and what a great 'fro!

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Originally Posted by JudeBaldo

This news makes me a little happy. I'm a devout christian but Thomas Kinkade detests me. I learned in one of my art history classes that Kinkade was a complete fraud.

Why would Kinkade detest you? What did you do to him?

My mother and aunt love this guys work. It makes buying Christmas presents easier.

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Originally Posted by B-Fly

Ah, Bob Ross. RIP. Awful art, but what a soothing voice and what a great 'fro!

why is the art awful? because it's simple? i find his art to be enjoyable because of its' simplicity...

http://www.larose.com/Cups_and_Mugs/...ade_Church.JPG

So now this guy is ripping people off?

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Originally Posted by Mithrandir

why is the art awful? because it's simple? i find his art to be enjoyable because of its' simplicity...

Hey, if it soothes you and you enjoy it, that's okay. I like to see something creative and new in art, otherwise it really holds nothing for me. There is nothing innovative or interesting, no emotion explored, nothing revealed, in anything I see perusing the site of Mr. Kinkade, and the same can be said of Mr. Ross. The difference is, Bob Ross never presented himself to the world as a special artist. He was just a guy who liked to paint and wanted to share the "Joy of Painting" with his audience. His whole point was "You can do this too!" That's why I thought he was pretty terriffic, despite the fact that the art itself was utterly unnoteworthy.

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Originally Posted by nascarfan

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So now this guy is ripping people off?

My point exactly. It's mass produced and force-fed to people in every mall in America. People like it because it's familiar. It's the same reason that McDonald's remains the number one restaurant chain in the world. Just because it's everywhere, doesn't mean it's good.

Familiarity breeds contempt in my world.

Now this may come as a shock.....

..... But the NRs don't own a single Thomas Kinkade.

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Originally Posted by friarfan

CatFish ^^^ that's one reason I detest Kinkade. Another would be that I don't really think someone should use MY faith as a method for making money. Especially when they claim to be the same faith as I. To me Thomas Kinkade is nothing more than a James Baker behind a canvas. Furthermore, I didn't really understand nor appreciate ART (I'm talking about ART like paintings and such, not in the we over use the word today) until I took an art history class in college. I learned that Thomas Kinkade doesn't really oaint at all. He has starving college at students (I'm guesing every college art student is starving) paint for him in massive warehouses assembly line style.

On a side note. My college art history teacher was pretty cute blonde. Well a bunch of my buddies and I went to pub one night and she was there with her girlfriends. As my group was walking to our table, I walk past her and say hello. My professor was just a tad bit over tipsyas we were chopping it up for 5 minutes or so. She then KISSES ME ON THE LIPS. I am totally shocked and not sure what to do, so I just keep smiling and talking as if nothing ever happened. Needless to say it was the running joke at my table the entire night. Boo Thomas Kinkade, Hoo-ray college art history professors.

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Originally Posted by B-Fly

vive la difference...