WAYNE THIEBAUD: A Life Well Lived

I was so sad to hear about the recent passing of Wayne Thiebaud. (Dec 25, 2021..at 101yrs old).  What and amazing legacy he left in the art world.  This post is originally from May 2014 as part of my Mr.E Asks 3 series.  I thought we'd revisit this post as a way to honor this wonderful human & gift to the art world!  May we remember his "sweet" impact on the art world! 

WAYNE THIEBAUD

When I started thinking about people I'd like to interview...Mr. Thiebaud was at the top of my list!!  Though I really enjoy his older pieces...pies, cakes, candies, and such....I LOVE his landscape paintings!   He is a living legend!!!!

 

However...I figured I'd probably not get a response.

Here was the first reply.

 

"Mr. Thiebaud does not use a computer. However, I can relay the questions to him. There is no guarantee that he will respond. He is inundated with requests on a daily basis. At the age of 93 (94 in November), he does not "work" too much on tasks outside of those in his own studio and at his home. But, it is worth a shot."

 

BUT HE DID!! HE DID RESPOND!!!

I hope you enjoy the mini-interview with Mr. Wayne Thiebaud.  Oh..and I know it is Mr. E Asks 3, but I couldn't stop with just 3! ha ha ha 

1) Did you have art classes in elementary, middle, and/or high school? If so, how much of an impact did it have on you?

" I do recall several "art" classes in elementary schools in southern California. Mostly very general drawing projects and classroom group mural works.  High school provided more specific opportunities. Classes in drawing and watercolor taught by a woman who had been instructed by an experienced person   Long Beach Polytechnic High School housed a major auditorium attended by the civic public for “major” events. The stage manager and technician instructed us in the designing and building and painting of sets in a professional manner."

 

2) What was your family/friends response to your desire to be an artist?

 

 " Very Supportive."

3) What words of encouragement/inspiration do you have for those desiring to pursue a life of art?

"Obtain as much professional formal instruction as possible and work very hard."

 

 

4) What is your motivation to continue creating art?

 

"Love of and long looking at fine works of art."

Can We Talk About Wayne Thiebaud??

I'm so inspired by Wayne Thiebaud!!! 

 I usually see people using his early work. It is lovely & so accessible for young artists as inspiration.  However, that is not the work to which I'm referring.  I love his landscapes. They have such amazing color and atmospheric perspective.  I feel like I'm flying over his world as I view the paintings. If you are not familiar with the "newer" work of Thiebaud...hop on-line and do a search!
You will have a "new/old" artist to add to your landscape units!

Did you know I interviewed Wayne Thiebaud? YEP YEP!! Here is the link to that post from 2014.

https://www.artwithmre.com/2014/05/mr-e-asks-3-wayne-thiebaud.html

Mr. E Asks 3: WAYNE THIEBAUD

 

YOU READ CORRECTLY!!!

WAYNE THIEBAUD

 

When I started thinking about people I'd like to interview...Mr. Thiebaud was at the top of my list!!  Though I really enjoy his older pieces...pies, cakes, candies, and such....I LOVE his landscape paintings!   He is a living legend!!!!

 

 

However...I figured I'd probably not get a response.

 

Here was the first reply.

 

"Mr. Thiebaud does not use a computer. However, I can relay the questions to him. There is no guarantee that he will respond. He is inundated with requests on a daily basis. At the age of 93 (94 in November), he does not "work" too much on tasks outside of those in his own studio and at his home. But, it is worth a shot."

 

BUT HE DID!! HE DID RESPOND!!!

I hope you enjoy the mini-interview with Mr. Wayne Thiebaud!  Oh..and I know it is Mr. E Asks 3...but I couldn't stop with just 3!!!! ha ha ha 

1) Did you have art classes in elementary, middle, and/or high school? If so, how much of an impact did it have on you?

" I do recall several "art" classes in elementary schools in southern California. Mostly very general drawing projects and classroom group mural works.  High school provided more specific opportunities. Classes in drawing and watercolor taught by a woman who had been instructed by an experienced person   Long Beach Polytechnic High School housed a major auditorium attended by the civic public for “major” events. The stage manager and technician instructed us in the designing and building and painting of sets in a professional manner."

 

2) What was your family/friends response to your desire to be an artist?

 

 " Very Supportive."

3) What words of encouragement/inspiration do you have for those desiring to pursue a life of art?

"Obtain as much professional formal instruction as possible and work very hard."

 

 

4) What is your motivation to continue creating art?

 

"Love of and long looking at fine works of art."

LET THEM EAT CAKE! : 3rd Grade

As a follow up lesson to the Wayne Theiebaud cake stands, this week I had my 3rd graders create a slice of cake on a plate.  This really has been perfect timing with what they are learning in their math!  We used construction paper crayons instead of oil pastels.  

A Whole Lotta Cake Goin' On! : 3rd

So I have seen a real mixed bag with this project!!!  From the amazing to the...umm...not so amazing.  One of the great things about this lesson is that it coincided with 3rd grade studying forms in math(though they called it solid shapes or something like that?!?!).  So when I started talking about creating a cylinder..they didn't look at me all crazy!! ha ha 

Cakes: 3rd Grade

So I am going with some Wayne Thiebaud lessons...and will hopefully have a variety of projects over the next few weeks to pick the best for the art show.