In a world where we have large doses of horror, war, death, hatred and human malignancy I find Kathy's romantic heart and home a welcome respite from the daily doom and gloom.
Kincaid, after his death in 2012, was criticized as a
"mail-painter", a "kitsch master" a "chocolate box artist" whose view of life was as "sentimental and soothing as a cup of hot chocolate in a world of dreams."
To which I must answer, "More power to you, Thomas."
Kincaid described himself as a devout christian who wanted to touch people of all faiths and bring a sense of of peace into their lives.
Who could possibly argue with that worthy goal?
His pictures featured stone cottages, streams, rural beauty, churches, lighthouses and welcoming warmth streaming from windows on snowy nights.
All of this was scorned as so much sentimentality by the world of high-brow art and intellectualism.
Personally I couldn't care less and nor would it appear do millions of others, for it is reckoned that one in four American homes have a Kincaid painting somewhere around.
All of Kincaid's four children have the middle name "Christian." and you can bet that each one of them own some of Kincaid's originals to remind them of the better world that Pop's has now departed to.
Jubilate, Thomas!
Ian
