I’m almost embarrassed to confess I’ve only just recently made the acquaintance of artist Wayne Thiebaud‘s work. The man’s been painting upwards of 70 years and spent much of his time in California. I, despite my accumulation of years in New York, also consider California my home. There’s really no excuse.

Case in point: That painterly interpretation of the palm tree and sunset image on the California Arts License Plate, the specialty plate (first of its kind in the country) that benefits the California Arts Council? Just learned it’s Thiebaud’s “Coastline,” circa 1993. Those plates have been on the road since 1994. Seen ’em.

And the Google doodle celebrating Google’s 12th birthday on September 27, 2010? The one of the cake that reads “Google” on top, only the “l’ is a single lit candle? ... (continue reading)