The unbelievable true story of artist Thomas Kinkade; self-described “Painter of Light;rdquo; and the dramatic rise —and fall—of his billion-dollar gallery and licensing business. He was just one man; but Thomas Kinkade ultimately made more money from his art than every other artist in the history of the world combined. His sentimental paintings of babbling brooks; rural churches surrounded by brilliant fall foliage; and idyllic countryside cottages were so popular in the 1990s that one out of every twenty homes in America owned one of his prints. With the help of two partners—a former vacuum-cleaner salesman and an ambitious junior accountant who fancied himself a businessman—Kinkade turned his art into a billion-dollar gallery and licensing business that traded on the NYSE before it collapsed in 2006 amid fraud accusations. One part a fascinating business story about the rise; and demise; of a financial empire born out of divine inspiration; one part a dramatic biography; Billion Dollar Painter is the account of three nobodies who made it big. One of them was a man who; despite being a devout Christian who believed his artwork was a spiritual force that could cure the sick and comfort the poor in spirit; could not save his art empire; or himself. Eric Kuskey; former colleague of Thomas Kinkades and close friend until the artists death in 2012; tells Kinkades story for the first time—from his arts humble beginnings on a sidewalk in Carmel; California; to his five-house compound in Monte Sereno. Its a tale of addiction and grief; of losing control; and ultimately; of the price of our dreams.
2013-10-16 2013-10-16File Name: B00FZ5S7BY
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ArchitectureBy reviewerGift for architect. Enjoyed.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The New Gold StandardBy J. Duncan BerryMallgrave has integrated and consolidated an enormous body of literature; thought and imagery on the emergence of "modern" architectural theory.If you want to know WHY our cities and buildings look the way they do; it is because architects explored their intentions in theoretical exercises. Mallgrave offers the most compelling depiction of the changing fortunes of these intentions in this magisterial survey.The scope and sweep of his effort is breathtaking; and the story is FINALLY being told without the pedantic hectoring of advocate-historians like Pevsner and Geidion and their minions.Mallgraves insight and wit are in evidence upon each an every page. This is an epochal study and worthy of a major academic award.Mallgrave has written the first comprehensive treatment on a subject that has been explored without much nuance for nearly a century and a half. He deserves our unending gratitude.