Autopsy Scheduled for Painter Thomas Kinkade

[lunatica]

29. When you paint light it's supposed to capture what real light does

Kincaid painted variations on something that was floating around in his head and which have nothing to do with physical reality, or the laws of Nature. Artists try to capture the fleeting moments of what real earthly light does or they deliberately defy what real life shows. Kincaid not only made it all up but he also brought a cotton candy saccharin element to his invented pastoralesque scenes. It's that element of saccharin that turns art critics and artists off, because it shows a strong element of dishonesty which smacks of cynicism. It's formulaic and commercial. In the world of literature it can be compared to the formula writing of the modern romance novel compared to what is considered outstanding literature which mirrors the true messiness of real life.

Maybe in your mind his light was always best, but what are you comparing it to? Real life or some other artists version of what he or she thinks light should be doing instead of what it really does?

Nobody set out to hate his art.