Thomas Kinkade, one of nation's most popular painters, dies in Los Gatos

[marions ghost]

165. So for $650

I am assuming these are reproductions on canvas in a fancy frame. What size they are of course is a factor. If a repro, they should tell you how many they will print and you should get a certificate of authenticity that this is in facsimile of the artist's original. As for cost, it's not the thousands that Kinkade was charging so you are safe from a big rip off. Still, it is not cheap (depending on size...) --I'd make sure the frame is high quality. Be picky...ask questions. KNOW what you are buying.

As long as you don't care about resale, sure, give your wife what would make her happy. But another idea would be to look around for an artist in your vicinity that you both like and buy some original art.

Wondering when these snow fantasies came about in Redlin's career...after Kinkade's commercial success perhaps? They seem derivative of Kinkade (who was derivative of others).

Even if he was using lead white, I doubt he got lead poisoning unless he was really careless and ingested a lot of it. His paintings are so meticulous --that doesn't add up to me.

Ahhh, the nostalgia for happier times....and the sense of community...