I sat at that desk many times and enjoyed the many treasures of the space. It was Paul & Wayne’s office/studio near the state capitol building in Sac, in a cute nondescript building next to a canned food outlet. I had some of the most amazing moments of my life in there. I played many games on their vintage pinball machines. I lost money on countless ping pong games in that space -once watched a bar tender friend nearly put his foot through a $30M painting Wayne was restoring. With Paul, I had great conversations over original Matisse paintings. I saw the original California DMV palm tree license plate painting in there. I saw several paintings of New Yorker covers -some prior to being published. Paul Lebaron Thiebaud and his father Wayne were absolute treasures of the world. I attended Paul’s “funeral” at the river house -a decade prior to Wayne’s death. It was tragically magical.
He’s such a bright spot in our dark lives. Wayne is always so sincere, humble and sweet. I just wish they’d left the Satie piano piece off the soundtrack, it’s soooo distracting!
I chanced upon Thibaud's work by chance decades ago and instantly thought, "Wow! I like this guy!!" There's something about his choice of subjects, still lifes, landscapes and how they're executed is just so engaging! "...I like this guy!" NO, I lovd this guy!!!
I'm an abstract painter and I've always loved Thiebaud. I just like his spirit even though it is quite contrary to mine. He'd probably dislike my paintings but I don't care. I admire all types of art from Ancient Greece to modernist abstraction. And Pop. Art is like an unruly family.
"Painting doesn't do anything"- yes, and life doesn't do anything either. The fact that a wave breaking brings joy, a sunrise brings pathos is enough....the observer is pleased. All the rest of life is about keeping the body alive.
