Dear Thomas Kinkade:
Before Essay #2
Before I start to write my second essay for Marlen’s class, I have a few goals I want to set for myself. After writing my first essay, and getting it returned to revise, I have really thought about what I need to do, and the true work I need to approach to get my voice heard. Also, I really want to capture my reader’s attention, my audience for this specific essay is the artist of my painting I chose to write about, Thomas Kinkade. The painting I will be writing about is called San Francisco, Powell Street. I truly am writing this, as if I would get a chance to actually speak with Thomas about his love for painting and also his faith in the Lord. Also including my love for this particular painting and what I get out of this image. The genre for this essay will be a business letter in full block style.
February 1, 2009
The Thomas Kinkade Company
900 Lightpost Way
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Dear Mr. Kinkade:
‘One theory about artistic creation is that extraordinary artists come into this world with a different way of seeing.’ This is a quote from the novel, A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman. I wanted to share this quote with you because it really captured the way I feel about your paintings when I look at them, and truly believe this is speaking about you and your wonderful gift as an artist.
I am writing to share with you how your paintings intricately capture my imagination. It is amazing to me how in just one painting, you give me the ability to put multiple different images into my mind. The painting I am writing to you about today is, San Francisco, Powell Street. Honestly, where did you get the inspiration for this piece? In a way, you answered my question by saying, ‘perhaps that’s because San Francisco is such a lived-in city. Wherever you look you find dynamic street life, and the famous cable car.’ I found this quote in the summary of this specific painting on your website. I agree that this beautiful city is a very lived-in city and I just want you to know, the way you captured the scene on Powell Street has really sparked my visual interest.
I have never had the opportunity to visit this city, but you truly have captured the visual I have for it in my mind. As I sit here and write this letter to you, I am also looking to your painting for inspiration. The way you captured this beautiful street, is very comforting to me. I share your faith in Jesus Christ, and this may be why your work captures me the way it does. There are many different ways for artists to show their god-gifted talents in today’s world. Everything about your painting is uplifting, bright and warm.
The first thing that caught my attention when I looked at this painting was the father with the little boy and girl walking down the street. Everyone seems to be so happy, everyone speaking with each other. The colors schemes you chose really set my mood as well, while looking at the different buildings with the warm lights shining from within. The street looks so busy but yet so peaceful. The roads are wet, from what seems to look like it just rained and there is still fog hanging above with the birds back out to find the baby-pink worms sliding their way across the surface. The flowers and trees are bright, from just being nourished by the afternoon rain. I also love the fact you can see the bridge in the distance, and what looks to be boats in the water. All though you can not see the details of these landmarks, it gives the imagination a starting point, with what is visible to the eyes. As I look at this painting, every time I come back to it, I see something else. As the groups of people walk down the busy street it makes you day dream as to where they are going. Are some going home from a long day of work? Are some going to dinner at the beautiful street-side restaurants? Maybe there are parents going to pick up their children from day care, people out walking their dogs. Another very interesting aspect I noticed was the man walking along the cable car with his bike, as he talks to an old friend in the car. Even though you do not state the images I have listed above, my imagination allows me to see those things when I look at this piece.
This scene is so peaceful compared to what Powell Street is probably like today. What made you decide to go this route with the mood in this piece? As we all know, in reality today, horns would be beeping, people would be screaming if a pedestrian was casually walking on the street. The cable cars are no longer there, just the taxi cabs flying around the corner, always in a hurry with really no where to go. The busy business man twenty minutes late for a meeting, as a young woman walks by on her way to yoga.
Another interesting fact, which I learned, is your own personal way of including your wife and daughters in all of your paintings. I learned of your ‘love notes’ to your wife Nanette, by simply hiding the letter N in your paintings. Also, putting either the names or images of your daughters into your artwork was very fascinating to me. What exactly made you decide to include them in your work this way? I have to be honest; since I learned of this I never have been able to find these ‘love notes.’ Are they meant to be viewed by anyone, or are they just specifically for the eyes of your family?
God has given you the gift of vision, a sense that not all humans are blessed to have. For most of us, it is a sense that is just taken for granted. The way your paintings interpret what you see in your mind also shows your spiritual vision as well. God had ways to show his visions to many different people in the Bible, and because of him, you have used his great gifts to show your faith through your work to people of today.
Every year my mother buys your calendar, and every month we get to share with you your beautiful images and the emotions of happiness they spark. I know that Powell Street in Sunny California does not truly look exactly like your painting has made it out to be, but captures what it should be, in my opinion. Today’s world is becoming filled with more and more dark images and depressing scenes, with your talent, you give this country hope and still are able to capture the beauty behind a simple street. What makes you decide to do the different scenes you chose to paint? With every painting you have composed, is their a personal memory behind the easel? And if so, is their a specific memory behind Powell Street?
My sister, Meghan, is a growing artist. She is in art club at our local high school. Similar to you, she is able to paint what she sees in her mind. Unlike my ability to draw, everything seems to come out as stick figures and such. Were you always this intricately talented in what you do? Did you go to an art institute to learn this great talent?
I apologize for the twenty questions; it is just that your work really fascinates me and I enjoy it greatly. The fact that you have put to use this wonderful talent God has given you really interests me and also pushes me to use the talents God has given me as well. You are an inspiration to many. Everyone in the world needs encouragement, hopefully this letter had impacted you this way, and your work really is appreciated. You and your family are in God’s hands; also you are in my prayers. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, God bless.
Sincerely,
Shannon K. McMeans
Work Cited
Ackerman, Diane. A Natural History of the Senses. New York: Random House, Inc., 1990.
Kinkade, Thomas. San Francisco Powell Street. California. December 2008.
Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light. <http://www.thomaskinkade.com>
After Essay #2
I really enjoyed writing this essay. The genre of the block style letter was actually very interesting to use. I actually really put a lot of thought into the fact I was writing to the talented Thomas Kinkade. Before I wrote this essay I set goals for myself. And, I strongly believe that I accomplished these. I really think that I could send this letter to Thomas as well; I put a lot of thought into it, asking him questions that I have always been curious about learning. So with all of this said, I am truly very pleased with myself and this essay. Hopefully, my readers will be interested as well.
