Morton Wayne Thiebaud is a famous American who skillfully painted “delicious pictures” to the great delight of his fans.

Morton Wayne Thiebaud is a famous American artist of the 20th – early 21st centuries, an outstanding master of pop art. He was famous for his food paintings, although his masterpieces also include many beautiful portraits and landscapes. The artist’s biography is full of interesting events and is closely connected with the city of Sacramento in California, where he lived most of his life.

Morton Wayne Thiebaud taught art theory students at American universities for many years. For outstanding services in this field of activity, he was awarded the title of honorary professor at the University of California at Davis, and the best works of the master are now kept in art museums in America.

Biography

The parents of the future master of contemporary art were members of the Mormon sect, so they raised their son in strictness and obedience. Shortly after Wayne’s birth, the family moved to Los Angeles, where the boy received his high school diploma. Thiebaud loved to draw from an early age and, while still at school, got a job at the Walt Disney Animation Studio. For several years, the young artist was engaged in coloring cartoon characters. Then he entered the trade college, after which he received a diploma in real estate.

He also worked as a mechanic at a car company, a foreman at an oil plant, a traffic safety inspector and even a real estate agent. But soon he firmly decided to become a professional artist and actively engaged in the realization of his cherished dream. Wayne began to draw cartoons for magazines, create illustrations for books and signs for stores. And then he was drafted into the army and for three years the young man served in a special cinematographic detachment of the air force as a full-time military artist.

It wasn’t until the late 1940s that Wayne finally saved up enough money to enroll at the University of San Jose as a fine arts student. And after the second year, he transferred to Sacramento and it was here that he defended his diploma. A few years after graduation, Wayne was invited to teach at Sacramento Community College, and in 1960 was offered a professorship at a local university.

Artist career

Upon his return to California, Wayne intensified his search for his own artistic style and began to paint pictures of food, which later brought him wide fame. Although for several years the work of the master did not arouse public interest, he stubbornly worked in his chosen genre and moved towards the intended goal.

The situation changed dramatically in the early 1960s, after a series of major exhibitions dedicated to the presentation of the revolutionary art direction – pop art. Morton Wayne Thibaut was recognized as one of the founders of the fashion trend and gained great prestige among colleagues.

At the same time, the master met the famous art dealer Allan Stone, who became his close friend for many years. Stone was a very skilled businessman, and thanks to his support, Thibaut’s work became a huge market demand. The further life of the brilliant master was extremely successful. The artist successfully combined teaching with creativity. His works were constantly exhibited at prestigious exhibitions in different parts of the Earth and brought the author a substantial income. And for outstanding services to the national art, Wayne received many government awards and prizes.

The artist was married twice and raised four children. His eldest daughter from Twink’s first marriage became a well-known model and writer. The youngest son, Paul, owns two prestigious art galleries in New York and San Francisco. The master created his last paintings at the age of 90, after which he ceased to engage in creativity. Although until his death he took part in various social events. In 2020, the artist celebrated his 100th birthday, and on December 25, 2021, Morton Wayne Thiebaud died at his home in Sacramento.