Artist Wayne Thiebaud made a name for himself with serious paintings of whimsy. Bowties and gumballs, cupcakes and lollipops, pie and pinball machines are among the subjects Thiebaud has painted in striking compositions showcasing his mastery of color, line, and form. For Thiebaud, success as an artist came when he turned to painting what he loved without apology, and freeing himself to paint what interested him helped him develop his distinct visual style. Susan Goldman Rubin offers an enticing look at Thiebaud’s career and work in a book that illuminates the talent, vision, and work that goes into creating such artful expressions of the sublime. Rubin’s engaging examination of Thiebaud’s art is accompanied by handsome reproductions of his paintings in this artfully designed volume. (Ages 10–14)

One of the giants of American art, Wayne Thiebaud was at first unappreciated because of the everyday subject matter of his paintings. His tasty hot dogs, delectable cakes, dizzy streets, and sleepy deltas have since become icons of twentieth century art. Now young readers have the chance to explore the development of a fascinating artist while delighting in the very child-friendly art that has made him so acclaimed. With her deft touch, critically-acclaimed non-fiction author Susan Rubin tells the story of the man behind the masterpieces.