Thomas Kinkade

I will admit I have mixed feeling about quality of Thomas Kinkade's art, much of work is very pretty and sweet, and I have grown to have an appreciation for it. I have noticed so-called "Artists" and "Liberals" heap endless hate upon Thomas Kinkade even on the day of his passing. The truth is the attacks on Thomas Kinkade have nothing to do the technical quality or style of his work. It is the subject matter and tone that they hate so much. It is his nostalgia and love for the home, church, nature, and the Victorian architecture that they hate so much. Sentimentality and sweetness seems to be unforgivable to the modernest.

Goodbye To The “Painter Of Light”, Thomas Kinkaide

Cottages of Love - A Tribute to Thomas Kinkade

In Memory of Thomas Kinkade: Beloved Christian Painter

More Victorian bashing

A poorly written anti-Victorian Blog: "The Truth About Victoriana". I am sure one could find a lot nasty things to write about from such peroid, but this blog does not even do a very good job. I don't why see why she brings up 1950's American in comparison, that is one period I find nothing to be nostalgic about, but I could be nostalgic for the 1850's. People are flawed creatures but at least in the past morality and godliness were the ideals of the general culture. This Cindy woman is a very nasty and hateful person, who also runs a number of other very hateful sites. This "Feminist" does not like the Victorian Era, but I have heard some Conservative Christians attack the Victorian era as being matriarchal and anti-male. I take a generally positive and nostalgic of view Victorian Era for the most part, but never claimed everything was perfect. Is the modern world free of immorality, disease, prostitution, crime and cruelty?

An example of her lack of knowledge; "Victorian Boys Wore Dresses and Had Long Hair." I am not sure what the point of this post is supposed to be anyway. This blog seems to have little understanding of the subjects it covers, the reason why little boys wore skirts was mainly a matter of hygiene. Boys didn't wear trousers till they out of diapers and keeping themselves clean without their mother's help. Some Mennonites, such as the Amish, still follow such practice. "Breeching was the occasion when a small boy was first dressed in breeches or trousers. From the mid-16th century until the late 19th or early 20th century, young boys in the Western world were unbreeched and wore gowns or dresses until an age that varied between two and eight... The main reason for keeping boys in dresses was toilet training, or the lack of it. Dresses were also easier to make with room for future growth, in an age when clothes were much more expensive than now for all classes. The 'age of reason' was generally considered to be about seven, and breeching corresponded roughly with that age for much of the period."

Modern Architecture: "The Principle of Non-Decoration"

Some interesting posts on the Thinking Housewife blog:

"The Principle of Non-Decoration"

Modern design and fashion are characterized by a love of uniformity, monotone colors, and visual barrenness.

And...

The Principle of Non-Decoration at Work

On the ugliness of churches...

‘Terrible is This Place’

The state of ecclesiastical architecture is abysmal and is not likely to become non-abysmal anytime soon. The most beautiful churches in America and Europe were created in places and times where entire communities were united behind a single building project, a collective monument to the sacred...

And Schools...

“Why Are Schools So Ugly?”

Most people probably would say that America’s school buildings resemble prisons with windows – and without the barbed wire - because it would be too expensive to make them otherwise. But, that doesn’t make sense. Some of this ugliness is enormously costly…

Modern houses are soul-crushing to those who live in them...

Modern Architecture and its Crusade Against Intimacy

It is essential traditional architecture be revived both in our sacred structures as well as our homes. Note how the homes the wealthy and powerful today inhabit are barren and cold, empty of life and progeny...

And update 4/8/2011 from Home Living: "The Effect of Architecture on Home Living"

Film: "The Cult of Domesticity"

Film: "The Cult of Domesticity"

I don't see a problem... even the film admits woman still want to make a home and protect and nurture their families.