American artist, Wayne Thiebaud, was born in Arizona in 1920 and was raised in California. It was in high school that Thiebaud developed an interest in art and even had a summer apprenticeship in the animation department of Walt Disney Studios. He drew characters such as Goofy, Pinocchio, and Jiminy Cricket.

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force, under future president Ronald Reagan, as an artist and cartoonist. After the war, he went to art school and study at San Jose State University and California State University. As he tried to break into the art world, he worked as a teacher at a university, where he continued to teach until until the 1980s.

Wayne Thiebaud spend a year in New York (1956 - 1957). It was during this time that he began to explore a new style of painting. He started to use bright colors and realistic shadows to paint a series of cakes, pies, and candies in shop windows. He would apply the paint thick, just like a baker would apply frosting. 

While he is most know for his paintings of ice-cream, pies, and gum-ball machines.  He also created portraits and paintings of California landscapes.

Wayne Thiebuad was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Even though he is now in his nineties, Thiebaud continues to paint.

Watch video to learn about the life and works of American painter, Wayne Thiebaud. Use the information as inspiration for your project. 

Scroll through the slide show to see more examples of Wayne Thienaud's  artworks!