Another one gone

Daniel Politi has a Slate article about the death of a well-known artist:

Thomas Kinkade, who described himself as a Painter of Light, died suddenly recently at the young age of 54, apparently of natural causes. He was one of the most popular artists in the United States, and it is estimated that one of every twenty homes across the country have one of his pieces hanging on the wall, according to the San Jose Mercury News. It will likely take several days to figure out the exact cause of death.

His “sentimental paintings”, as the Los Angeles Times describes his inoffensive landscapes (scenes of cottages, gardens, and bridges, to name a few; photo), were highly loved by the public at large, but dismissed by the art establishment. Kinkade knew perfectly well that his role was to please people and not express himself through his work like many artists. That’s why he focused on things people wanted: warm, positive images to brighten up their homes, offices, and public buildings, according to the Associated Press, which noted that Kinkade left behind quite an empire, with his paintings and associated productions creating revenue of around a hundred million dollars per year.

Rico says his house, though it looks like it should be in one of Kinkade's paintings, doesn't have one in it...