my notes on Kinkade & Beecroft

These two artist are so diametrically different, but oddly enough they share something in common...appealing to the masses. Thomas Kinkade may not win the favor of those who prefer avant-garde art, but he is a smart in his strategy of creating generalized comfy art that is appealing to mainstream consumers. He could never argue that he is a starving artist. I thought that it was interesting that he is the only painter whose work is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. On one end it makes you wonder if his work is truly coming from authentic inspiration, but on the other end he is truly using his work to not only inspire people, but to make a living. What is wrong with that? To me he seems to be giving people a glimpse of the ideal and for some an imaginary comfort zone amidst their daily chaotic lives. I don't know, to me he is OK, nothing is negative about the art, so what is the big deal? If he wants to paint fantasy pictures of cottages and beautiful landscapes, let him.

Vanessa Beecroft...not really feeling her. Can't put my finger on it, but it reminds me of more of the same. Its unique that she uses live subjects to convey her art....but what is her point. I couldn't really decided if she was promoting the objectification of women or was she trying to provoke the viewer to rethink those images.