First In A Series.

I'm pretty grateful for the gifts people give me, I love that anyone wants to give me, with all my whining and negativity, a gift.

However, if you're thinking about buying me a Christmas gift do not buy me a Thomas Kinkade holiday candle.

I don't think I need to explain this to you do I?

As an aside a woman I once knew explained to me how she simply had to have the latest Thomas Kinkade painting. It was collectible and it was only available for a limited time and before I could think I said, "Right, for a limited time....just like a happy meal toy." and she said, "Well yes, just like a happy meal toy...if a happy meal toy cost $800."

I sprayed my coffee out of my mouth all over the room at that moment because $800 is a lot of money to spend on a Starving Artist Oil Painting.

I guess I just don't know art...but I know candles and I don't want a Thomas Kinkade candle in my house....even if it is only available for a limited time.

Comments

[Gen]

OMG! And I thought I'd seen the saccharine event horizon when I happened upon the Precious Moments(TM) bible cover. Shudder. Twitch.

[blackbird]

It's not just a candle. It's not just a Thomas Kinkade candle. IT'S A GLADE THOMAS KINKAD HOLIDAY CANDLE. The trifecta from hell.

[Caracao]

Apple Cinnamon, French Vanilla & Gingerbread Spice I get, but what is the scent of Glistening Snow. Why not call it Santa's Boots?

[Lauren]

Check out Susan Orlean's website for a great article about the Thomas Kinkade kitsch factory. Sentimental, pretty "art" for middle America, the folks who voted for you know who.

[Lauren]

The Susan Orlean article is here. http://www.susanorlean.com/articles/art_for_everybody.html

[jill in nc]

"Just like a happy meal toy" I sprayed my coffee - what an appropriate comparison - except that the happy meal toy may have looked better sitting on her shelf. I live in the town where busloads of those people come to look at Tom Clark gnomes - it's the same mentality. I always wanted to stick one of those naked trolls in the Tom Clark gift shop window and see in anyone would notice.

[Dave]

There is one thing you are forgetting. Thomas Kinkade IS 'the Painter of Light' (I saw that on QVC) BTW, the back seat of my Saturn is FULL of 'collectables'.

[MamaKaren]

Available for a limited time= thank God it will be gone soon.

[Lisa]

Thomas Kincaide is a running joke in our house. When 60 Minutes did a story on him a few years back, they interviewed a couple who had like 500 Thomas Kincaide paintings. They had to rotate them because they didn't have enough wall space. The gentleman told them the paintings made him think. When asked think what- he said "I wonder if the people in that cottage are having cookies and hot cocoa." Every time I walk past a Kincaide "gallery" I laugh out loud.

[Jerri Ann]

People make fun of me for collecting Mickey Mouse but hey, occasionally you can get them at Mcd's as part of a happy meal. I can't believe you have spoiled my christmas shopping...ugh!

[MetroDad]

That has got to be some of the ugliest artwork I've ever seen. Talk about creating work for the lowest common denominator. His paintings should come with a free bowl of soup and a haircut. Buy a piece of work from this artist? I wouldn't buy Thomas Kinkade plug-in air fresheners!

(However, I would consider candles designed by that artist on cable TV who paints with the squirrel on his shoulder. THAT is truly genius)

[receptionista]

it's so awful, but when i saw the ads for it on tv i called my mom right away to conspire with her about buying a boatload of them for my little sister. the entire family hates kincaide, and the thought of giving her those hideous glade candles for christmas made us all laugh out loud.

[Erica]

So, I should probably not get you his novel?

Apparently, it will capture your heart forever, and then feed it a strict diet of treacle and platitudes.

[Ellen]

The same people who voted for W must be the same people who buy these "paintings". In my opinion, they are eerie and freakish!

[DollyMama]

Joining you in detesting Kinkade! My husband is an artist and it totally cracked us up one year when his parents got him some Thomas Kinkade book of paintings for christmas--as if this is actually art. Well, I guess to some it is, but not to us. It was so pathetic it was funny.

[lolakins]

the first time i met my girlfriends family was a holiday dinner, we stopped by her mom's house on the way. i walked into the family room and stopped so short two people ran into the back of me. one corner of the room (a good 25% of it) was taken up by the entire thomas kinkade christmas village.

this was table covered in white fluffy fabric (to simulate snow) with all the little houses and decorations set out just like a little city. i was never so terrified by kitsch. she has all the x-mas ornaments. every time i see a new little thing advertised in those coupon books in the sunday paper i pull it out so show my partner. i'll never be at a loss of what to buy her for x-mas, although i am terrified by the family room now.

i love her family, i hope her mom will teach me to sew, but dear god, could you love something less... treacly?

[Dave]

Ok Ellen, I am a relatively proud 'W' voter...I would NEVER consider buying that crap mass-produced by Thomas K. Come on, we are not ALL mindless lemmings. Let is go! I'm sure he wouldn't mind selling 53,000,000 pieces of his 'collectors items'.

[Jamie]

Those candle are so hideous that I was FORCED to leave a comment after months of devotedly reading your site.

Aaack! So ugly. Is it possible that the heinous country wraparound scenery actually makes the candle smell worse?

[Antonia]

According to himself, he is "the most controversial artist in the world." Oh, Mr. Kincaid, what land are you living in?
MetroDad, that, if I'm not mistaken, would be Bob Ross. I dream of smoking a joint with that guy. If I had to so much as share an elevator with Thomas Kincaid, though, I would totally fart.

[Very Mom]

My husband's uncle gave us a Thomas Kincaid LAMP when we got married. A lamp. With Kincaidy scenes all over the lamp shade. AND? the base was a mill/cottage/sheep type carved scene. I broke the heads off the sheep and sold it on eBay. It went for $170. Because it was a limited edition. Next I auctioned off a Precious Moments wedding statue. I got $75 for it! Hurrah for selling crap on eBay!

[Robert]

I am currently bowing to the art gods that I've gone 44 years without ever hearing of this joker. I must be doing something right.

[Lisa]

Isn't Bob Ross dead?

[melissaS]

Yes yes he is...he's in that happy little place with all those happy little trees and Oh! Is that a happy little deer back there behind those trees.

I love Bob Ross.....my sister used to say, "You know that show I love? The Joy of Sex, I mean, Painting."

I loved that show.

[Antonia]

Bob Ross is dead? When? When did this happen? No, that can't be true. That guy has been there for me, man. I am not even shitting you, this is a moment of silence and grief.

[nicole]

thomas kinkade makes me want to kill myself.
or everyone who purchases his "art".

[Michelle]

A Glade candle is NOT a good gift? Damn. Now I have to start my Christmas shopping over again. How do you feel about the "Lovely Plush Kinkade Bears clad fully in Thom's images"? Perhaps a beautiful overnight bag?

http://www.kinkadekorner.com/

[karen]

Oh thank you! From a person who makes their living selling art I thank you for pointing out that what Thomas Kincaide sells is NOT art. This comes from the bottom of my poor, not commercially viable but creative & happy heart.

[Rebecca]

Thomas Kincaide always reminds me of my art deprived mother. I've spent almost seven years teaching Hannah about the classic painters like Monet, Manet, Dali and VanGogh. She had the nerve to dilute her knowledge with that whole "painter of light" nonsense. Fortunately, Hannah can still pinpoint VanGogh's work and none of Mister Kincaide's.

Thanks for the gift suggestion for my mother though. She'll enjoy smelling it after a trip to the local Kincaide gallery. (read: retail store) BTW, Mom voted for W too.

[amy]

My sister is probably in line buying those candles right now. She has an ability for finding the most tacky, useless garbage. Usually it comes from the Hallmark store. One year for Christmas she gave me a wreath with a carpenter (yes, a carpenter)on it. I thought it was a joke, so I told her that I'd have to get her back. She wasn't joking, and I was left feeling guilty for hurting her(!) feelings.

[Lil' Sis]

I was all set to rip on Thomas Kinkaide too, but then the mention of Our Patron, Saint Bob Ross came up, and now I am left feeling all weepy, hollow and alone. I learned to paint from that man. He changed my 13-year-old life.
There go the holidays.

miao.

[christy]

I need to direct my husband here. He didn't understand why I wanted to throw something heavy at the television after seeing an ad for some craptacular Kinkaide junk. It all reminds me of Beanie Babies. Remember that whole thing? People can be so stupid.

[max]

That is so HILARIOUS! Everytime my partner and I run into one of those Thomas Kinkade galleries I take his picture in front of it. My god they are heinous. One can only imagine the decore that would be enhanced by an addition of one of TK's "works". Oh, I know, Thomas kinkade, Precious Moments fugurines, and P. Buckley Moss paintings!, the troika of bad taste.