Is Thomas Kincade a real artist or a gimmick artist?

Question

How is Kincade different than the 80's controversal artist Mark Kostabi?

Answer 1

He's for real. Just by chance I met the dude at a gallery showing several years ago. He's famous for his "light" paintings. The problem today is that he sub contracts a bunch of student artists. He mentors them to paint likeness pictures and charges and arm and a leg for them. It's all about the media hype.

Answer 2

He's an *** hole and his work sucks!!
He does one original painting, which is then photographed and reproduced onto canvas with special printing technology that makes it look quite vivid. He may add a few strategic daubs of oil paint to the "Print" himself or have his assistants do it. Then he'll come in for a signing and put his signature on hundreds of copies. Finally they will be shipped out and sold for thousands of dollars to the gullible schmucks who don't know the difference between a real painting and a glorified poster.
His is NOT an artist, he's a brand name who milks a worn out formula to suck up your money. No, self respecting artist would even consider doing what that idiot does!
No, legitimate art collectors would ever buy his sub-standard crap either, because he's a joke!!

Answer 3

He is both a pretty good artist AND a gimmick artist.

I have no problems with his paintings. But to you poor suckers who have bought into his Christian Gimmick the man is no more a real Christian than Buddha. He if were and actually acted like a true Christian he wouldn't be sued by the many he has scammed and defrauded and the many more who are making these claims as the lawsuits keep pilling up.

Like his work if it appeals to you but please don't do so simply because you think he's a man of faith. Like Andy War ho or Dali he latched onto a gimmick that made him rich.

Answer 4

All artists paint in a certain succession. Ideas mature and evolve and explore. There is consistency, therefore, to good art, a movement that can be followed. The danger is when that progression becomes a formula. Punch here to get that. Like Pavlov's dogs, we simply repeat the motion. That is not true art. That is response, both by the artists and by those who admire the artist.

Answer 5

Yes, Thomas Kincade is a real artist. He is really into what he does and believes in what he does. He also is a christian that puts his beliefs into his artwork, and that is what makes his work so beautiful.

Answer 6

Kostabi was controversial "within the art world." He still managed to get his work in many of the major museums in the US, including the MoMA.

Thomas Kinkade operates outside the art world (and is far richer). His work might be called kitch. And he is not controversial, because the art world ignores him. I've never seen him mention, even derisively, in any art magazine.

Answer 7

I think it's art in a fashion, but art without depth. His paintings have no real meaning although they are very pretty. However, just because he is a talented painter does not make him ingenious like Warhol or Picasso.

Answer 8

He's a real artist that went commercial with a great public relations manager.

Answer 9

In my opinion he's a painter not an artist. He's a glorified grandmother who paints flowers. But he makes good money so more power to him.

Answer 10

He's a real artist, but since he has become so popular, alot of other artist, including some professional ones, think he is gimmicky. I like his stuff but I know most of what is out there is eithe giclee or prints.(I like the glow on his flowers.)