Wayne Thiebaud

When I first moved to California about 13 years ago, I visited the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and was introduced to some of the most delightful artists I have ever encountered. Diebenkorn, Bechtle, Arneson and my personal favorite, Wayne Thiebaud. Often playful, their work seemed infused with the laid back air of California, either in the light they captured or in the subject matter. I fell in love.

Unfortunately for me, so did the rest of the world - their smallest works were so far out of my price range as to be laughable. I settled for postcard images and posters. My kitchen has two Thiebaud reproductions in it and, as much as I love the images, they bug me, too. They simply can't convey the rich way he uses paint - almost like icing - the true playfulness of his color use, and the depth of his expertise. However, they do serve as a daily reminder of what I will do with my first $500K when I win the lottery.

Just returned from North Beach where Cousin J-Yah and I were treated to a lovely show of works by Mr. Thiebaud at the Paul Thiebaud Gallery, 645 Chestnut Street. The show will only be open until Saturday. If you can get there, go and spend an hour with Thiebaud. You'll come away smiling.

*I borrowed the image from www.csus.edu/.../fall2002/images/36thiebaud.jpg. My thanks to them.