Kinkade's fame no help selling home
earthage
Modest Placerville residence where artist once lived draws little
interest on the market.
By M.S. Enkoji -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Here in the Sierra foothills, an unassuming Placerville house hidden
from the road was once home to one of the world's most successful art
moguls.
It's for sale.
Yes, the boyhood home of Thomas Kinkade, the painter who put the mass
in mass appeal, inspiring both reverence and revilement, is on the
market.
In this town, Kinkade's legacy is as deeply rooted as the pine trees
framing the area. He grew up here. The first of the painter's several
hundred galleries is here. Stop a local on the street, and they'll
likely own up to several prints on their walls or know a relative who
went to school with him.
His former home, though, is not exactly moving like one of his prints
of an other-worldly looking cottage encircled in a characteristic
golden glow.
"It's a modest little home," said Janine Waggener, the real estate
agent who is listing the property. With one bath, no garage, and a slow
market, it's to be expected, she said.
The self-anointed "Painter of Light," or what the particularly snide
dubbed Painter Lite, now lives in Morgan Hill, near the home base of
his empire that turns out everything from calendars to coffee mugs to
night lights with his glow-lit scenery.
A much harsher light is falling on Kinkade, with recent published
reports of lawsuits by disgruntled art dealers alleging fraud and a
possible investigation by the FBI.
Kinkade's company has denied wrongdoing and called the lawsuits and
resulting arbitration "the result of a very small group of disgruntled
dealers who are financially motivated."
Whatever Kinkade's troubles, they aren't what's slowing the sale of his
former home in the foothills, said Waggener, who once sold a home where
a double murder took place.
On the market since July 18, the three-bedroom, 1,534 square-foot home
was first offered at $399,000 and is now going for $359,000.
Sprinklers worked furiously on the lawn recently, but no one answered
the door at the home, a narrow, single-story frame house.
Kinkade's hometown glow is hardly dimming for the man who returns
annually for jam-packed autograph sessions and frequently donates
prints for local charity auctions.
In the tree-studded neighborhood where he once lived, people who never
knew him snap up his prints because he is the local prodigy.
Jeff Babcock and his wife, Tess, who have lived near Kinkade's old home
for 26 years, are interested only in his depictions of local landmarks.
"I'm not an artsy kind of guy. These are nice pictures," said Jeff
Babcock, showing off two framed Kinkade prints of historic Placerville
homes that dominate his living room.
Inside the first-ever Kinkade gallery, on Placerville's main drag, the
trademark dewy-soft depictions of fanciful landscapes, some real, some
not, are on the walls, in puzzle forms, on mugs.
After 16 years, the owners, Elaine and George Carpenter, are retiring
and a new owner -- their 25-year-old grandson -- is at the helm.
"It's very utopian," said Nathan Ross of his main product. "That's what
draws people to his work. It gives off a good feeling."
Ross has gotten calls inquiring about Kinkade's legal woes, he said,
but he has a quick answer.
Business comes with its risks and everyone has to shoulder them, said
Ross, who majored in business and marketing in college.
He believes Kinkade is targeted by naysayers because "he is an
extremely successful Christian artist."
Kinkade's method of mass-marketing his images generates less-than-warm
feelings at a cooperative gallery across the street where 43 artists
offer an eclectic collection of pottery and paintings.
"Authentic art comes from a place where it's not a marketing empire,"
said Rebecca McNeely, who became a full-time oils and acrylics painter
six years ago. "The art is lost in mass-marketing."
In the past, American culture has produced artists who have reaped a
profit by stirring the masses, said Gary Kurutz, curator of special
collections for the California State Library -- but none with the
"supreme marketing abilities" of the Kinkade phenomena, he added.
"He's kind of an icon in that field," Kurutz said. Others who have
enjoyed mass appeal and commercial success retained artistic respect
and significance because of their subjects, Kurutz said.
The 19th century New York lithograph firm of Currier & Ives -- using
then-new technology that enabled the relatively quick and inexpensive
reproduction of pictures -- unabashedly billed itself as printmaker for
the people.
Yet the pair's work -- highly valued today -- captured a period of
American life, including newsworthy events such as steamboat races,
Kurutz said.
Same with Norman Rockwell, whose depictions of American life included
unforgettable images from the civil rights movement along with
Thanksgiving gatherings and kindly cops.
"He was able to capture America at a particular time," Kurutz said.
Kinkade's work is not among the state's collections, he said. "Never
say never, but it's very unlikely. I would not invest taxpayers money
in it."
MagsTheAxe
earthage wrote:
> "It's a modest little home," said Janine Waggener, the real estate
> agent who is listing the property. With one bath, no garage, and a slow
> market, it's to be expected, she said.
Well. that's the problem. The place isn't list correctly! Put up a
bunch of floodlamps to bathe it in a soft, golden glow and fans will
snap it right up.
Karen
MagsTheAxe wrote:
> Well. that's the problem. The place isn't list correctly! Put up a
> bunch of floodlamps to bathe it in a soft, golden glow and fans will
> snap it right up.
ha! Well, just like his artwork, too, the home is way overpriced.
Karen
f5
"Kathy M." <tres...@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:3v6dnavFnLUKjWLZ...@giganews.com...
> x-no-archive: yes
> "Karen" <kso...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1157562425.6...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> art is the stuff that would sell in a drugstore.
His stuff makes my teeth fall out. Why would anybody buy such twee
stuff? Right up there with Tricia Romance.
scooter34
Kathy M. wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
> "Karen" <kso...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1157562425.6...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> >
> the stuff that would sell in a drugstore.
Please! A few warming lamps in the windows, casting a soft glimmer
into the twilight, and it'll go like hotcakes!
scooter34
arche...@yahoo.com
earthage wrote:
> Kinkade's fame no help selling home
> Modest Placerville residence where artist once lived draws little
> interest on the market.
> By M.S. Enkoji -- Bee Staff Writer
> Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, September 5, 2006
>
> Here in the Sierra foothills, an unassuming Placerville house hidden
> from the road was once home to one of the world's most successful art
> moguls.
> It's for sale.
>
> Yes, the boyhood home of Thomas Kinkade, the painter who put the mass
> in mass appeal, inspiring both reverence and revilement, is on the
> market.
>
> In this town, Kinkade's legacy is as deeply rooted as the pine trees
> framing the area. He grew up here. The first of the painter's several
> hundred galleries is here. Stop a local on the street, and they'll
> likely own up to several prints on their walls or know a relative who
> went to school with him.
>
> His former home, though, is not exactly moving like one of his prints
> of an other-worldly looking cottage encircled in a characteristic
> golden glow.
> "It's a modest little home," said Janine Waggener, the real estate
> agent who is listing the property. With one bath, no garage, and a slow
> market, it's to be expected, she said.
I thought I'd read a couple of months ago about a Frank Lloyd Wright
home that was similarly having trouble, because whoever bought the home
would have to maintain the artistic integrity and NOT build an
addition, add a bath with a sunken tub, etc.
Kris Baker
"scooter34" <momofpe...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:1157571503.2...@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Ah, Kincade. NEVER off-topic to alt.true-crime.
Did I ever post this website? It's genius:
http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=1918
(Put down your coffee, first.)
Kris
Kris Baker
<arche...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1157572288.4...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Maybe, but at least Lloyd designed that home.
There's nothing special about the Kinkade home, and I can't
imagine any protective covenants. If it's at all valuable to
anyone in the town (or the town itself), it'd have sold.
Wait....all this free internet publicity. "Snakes in a Frame!"
Surely a collector will come along ;)
Kris
Threnody
> Did I ever post this website? It's genius:
>
> http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=1918
> (Put down your coffee, first.)
Oh my God, I'm dying over here. That's some of the funniest spoofing
I've seen. I *LOVE* the Slinky coming down the stairs. Thanks for the
link, Kris! (And for the spew warning. Definitely appropriate.)
--
Threnody
Kris Baker
"Threnody" <crred...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:s8GLg.16073$1f6....@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
Thanks. I didn't find it by myself....so didn't want anyone
to think I was taking credit for it.
I know I'd posted it on other groups, just not here.
In case you didn't spot them: there's some tiny hidden
figures in some of those (like in the White House one).
I think there really IS Kinkade toilet paper.
Kris
Dr. Sooz
``````````````````````````````````
Well that's because he's a total shit artist, and an asshole of a human
being! KARMA
earthage
Anyone ever go to the Museum of Bad Art in Needham, MA?
I wonder if they've got any Kinkade works there.
http://www.museumofbadart.org/index.html
http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/portraiture-1.html
Ahhhh, Two Trees in Love.
http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/landscape-5.html
Kris Baker
"earthage" <eartha...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1157575526....@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Kris Baker wrote:
>> "Threnody" <crred...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:s8GLg.16073$1f6....@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
>> > Kris Baker wrote:
>> > > Did I ever post this website? It's genius:
>> >>
>> >> http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=1918
>> >> (Put down your coffee, first.)
>> >
>> > Oh my God, I'm dying over here. That's some of the funniest spoofing
>> > I've
>> > seen. I *LOVE* the Slinky coming down the stairs. Thanks for the
>> > link,
>> > Kris! (And for the spew warning. Definitely appropriate.)
>> >
>> > --
>> > Threnody
>>
>> Thanks. I didn't find it by myself....so didn't want anyone
>> to think I was taking credit for it.
>> I know I'd posted it on other groups, just not here.
>>
>> In case you didn't spot them: there's some tiny hidden
>> figures in some of those (like in the White House one).
>>
>> I think there really IS Kinkade toilet paper.
>>
>> Kris
>
> Anyone ever go to the Museum of Bad Art in Needham, MA?
> I wonder if they've got any Kinkade works there.
Never been there, but have appreciated their website in
the past. Thanks for bringing it up ;)
>
> http://www.museumofbadart.org/index.html
> http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/portraiture-1.html
>
> Ahhhh, Two Trees in Love.
> http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/landscape-5.html
You pointed (!) out our favorite! Lucy in the Field with Flowers.
"....the sway of her breast...."
MOBA has their standards; no Kinkade. Although they'd
use his oily tactics to lube their old truck.
I was going to send them an oil painting once, but I put a
high price on it and it sold at an antique show. Go figure.
Kris
Dr. Sooz
>
> Anyone ever go to the Museum of Bad Art in Needham, MA?
> I wonder if they've got any Kinkade works there.
>
> http://www.museumofbadart.org/index.html
> http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/portraiture-1.html
>
> Ahhhh, Two Trees in Love.
> http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/landscape-5.html
`````````````````````````````
IMO, Kinkade's work is too awful for even the MOBA. It might put a
curse on the Museum.
Kris Baker
"earthage" <eartha...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1157575526....@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>
> I wonder if they've got any Kinkade works there.
I spoke too soon. Looky here:
http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/landscape-2.html
If that ain't an unsigned Kinkade, it's a good copy.
Kris
f5
(snip)
>
> You pointed (!) out our favorite! Lucy in the Field with Flowers.
> "....the sway of her breast...."
>
> MOBA has their standards; no Kinkade. Although they'd
> use his oily tactics to lube their old truck.
>
> I was going to send them an oil painting once, but I put a
> high price on it and it sold at an antique show. Go figure.
Ooooh! What was it of?
f5
"Dr. Sooz" <penh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1157576808.4...@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
But doesn't he make gazillions? *Somebody* must be buying his stuff.
Is anybody brave enough to 'fess up?
I met one PTA mother in Palo Alto who thought he was fab. Dunno if
she bought a painting though.
Kris Baker
"f5" <f...@magma.ca> wrote in message
news:leydnZgHMq-k12LZ...@magma.ca...
It was a faux Picasso face (with a smiling clown in the
background) painted by an old man I'd known for years.
He was shaky and half-blind. All for the better.
.
Kris
Kris Baker
I don't think many people think he's fab now. People who invested
in those galleries (now being investigated by the FBI) got screwed.
He merely signs the paintings (or adds a couple of brushstrokes to
things arrayed on an assembly line), but people were promised
that the paintings were great investments. That didn't work out,
either.
Did anyone here see the 60 Minutes expose of a few years ago?
It was a true public service. I'm surprised he let them film the
inside of his factory, showing how the things were really
produced.
Kris
Dr. Sooz
> "Dr. Sooz" <penh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:1157576808.4...@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> > curse on the Museum.
>
> But doesn't he make gazillions? *Somebody* must be buying his stuff.
> Is anybody brave enough to 'fess up?
>
> I met one PTA mother in Palo Alto who thought he was fab. Dunno if
> she bought a painting though.
`````````````````````````
I have one friend who just loves his stuff. Me? I barf in my mouth a
little when I see his "work".
maryanne kehoe
Everyone is having trouble selling. There is a house we looked at *3*
months ago in this subdivision that is still on the market. There was a
house down the street from our old apartment that was listed with one
realtor for $750K, then _another_ realtor's sign went up and a couple of
months later, the house went FSBO and is still unsold.
When we were looking, a lot of sellers were throwing in closing costs,
1st year assoc. fees paid, extended home warranties, and furniture to
entice buyers among other incentives.
OTOH, we saw a georgian-style house that was perfect in every way. But
when we walked in the door, it *reeked* of smoke. It just broke my heart
because the house was perfect in every way. Our realtor said the agent
for the seller told him that they had 25 people look at the house-and no
offers.
Gregory Morrow
Kinkade's situation...???
--
Best
Greg
Gregory Morrow
arche...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I thought I'd read a couple of months ago about a Frank Lloyd Wright
> home that was similarly having trouble, because whoever bought the home
> would have to maintain the artistic integrity and NOT build an
> addition, add a bath with a sunken tub, etc.
The problem with some of the Wright homes is that they are *very*
difficult and expensive to maintain in their original condition. They
may look great architecturally, but from what I've read they can be
mighty uncomfortable places to actually *live* in, e.g. leaking roofs
and windows, dodgy wiring/plumbing, etc. That's why some of the best
examples have been turned into museums, etc....and why some others have
even been torn down, no one wants to put up with living in them.
--
Best
Greg
Dr. Sooz
> >The market *is* slow right now.
>
> Everyone is having trouble selling.
``````````````````````````
Not in the San Francisco Bay Area. Houses go like hotcakes. I just
bought one.
f5
Did you? I was recently looking in Palo Alto and Los Altos. Prices
seem pretty steady from 1990.
f5
> x-no-archive: yes> news:1157657034.1...@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> think it may be due to the fact we are more expensive down here. A
> dump down here goes for no less than a million.
Guess you haven't been to Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Gatos or Los
Altos lately.
Dr. Sooz
````````````````````````
You're forgetting the dot.com boom, aren't you?
f5
NOPE. That's why I was there.
>
Dr. Sooz
> "Dr. Sooz" <penh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:1157739134....@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> > f5 wrote:
> >> "Dr. Sooz" <penh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> >> news:1157657034.1...@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> >> > maryanne kehoe wrote:
> >> >> >The market *is* slow right now.
> >> >>
> >> >> Everyone is having trouble selling.
> >> >
> >> > ``````````````````````````
> >> > Not in the San Francisco Bay Area. Houses go like hotcakes. I
> >> > just
> >> > bought one.
> >>
> >> Did you? I was recently looking in Palo Alto and Los Altos.
> >> Prices
> >> seem pretty steady from 1990.
> >
> > ````````````````````````
> > You're forgetting the dot.com boom, aren't you?
>
> NOPE. That's why I was there.
> >
```````````````````````````````
I bought my house in 5 days (from meeting with the mortgage broker).
Competition is fierce. But I'm not on the Peninsula (East Bay) -- the
Peninsula is dying.