Saturday April 03, 2004
KCAL NEWS from Associated Press
Often-scorned, but popular artist Thomas Kinkade gets first museum exhibit

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) An artist considered one of the most financially successful painters in history has finally earned his first museum exhibit.

Thomas Kinkade, 46, opened ``Heaven on Earth'' on Friday at the Grand Central Art Center. The exhibition at the satellite facility of California State University, Fullerton runs through June 27.

Kinkade's work, which he calls ``populist art,'' is estimated to be found in 10 million American homes.

The paintings generally depict tranquil scenes, heavy on country churches, lighthouses, trees and cottages with streams running nearby, a style which some purists reject as too literal to be labeled ``art.''

``I paint the foundation values of life,'' Kinkade said. ``All of (the paintings) are extremely controversial within the art world, not within middle America but within the separate universe we call the 'contemporary art world.'''

Although some artists consider his work unadventurous, curator Jeffrey Vallance, a UCLA art professor, felt that such ostracization was reason enough to warrant showcasing the work.

``The reason (the exhibition) is here is, from the get-go, Grand Central Art Center has looked at doing things that everyone else has turned the cheek to, that (they) pass by,'' said Andrea Harris, gallery director at the center. 'We are always reaching out and traveling. I think Tom has been ... such a taboo thing, and I think that's more game for us.''

Kinkade claims his success encourages interest in other art.

``I'm introducing tens of millions of people each year to the joys of collecting art,'' he said. ``I'm opening a door for the future generations of artists.''

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)