Style Imitating Art: “Jawbreaker Machine”

About Style Imitating Art…

Style Imitating Art comes from Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee. You can think of it as fashion meets art museum! Style Imitating Art challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Every other Monday one of the three selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. They then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, they share their outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Terri chose this week’s art work. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. I have really been impressed with the different art work we’ve seen this year. It’s been challenging at times but always fun! You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here.

Inspiration art work…

About the artist…

Morton Wayne Thiebaud was born in Mesa, Arizona on November 15, 1920. His parents, Alice Eugenia and Morton, moved the family to Long Beach in Southern California sometime in 1921. As a teenager, Thiebaud worked at the Walt Disney Studios but was fired for protesting unfair wages. He also studied at the Frank Wiggins Trade School in Los Angeles. For about eleven years, Thiebaud worked as a cartoonist and graphic designer.

A little more…

World War II interrupted his career, and Thiebaud ended up in the US Army Air Force where he was assigned to Special Services. He would draw cartoons, edit training films, and photograph beauty contests and award ceremonies (source). In 1949, at the ripe old age of 29, he enrolled at San Jose State College (now University) but transferred to Sacramento State College (now California State University, Sacramento). Thiebaud earned a bachelor’s degree in 1951 and a master’s in 1952. During the 60s, he taught at Sacramento City College before moving on to the University of California, Davis. He remained at UC Davis until 1991. He continued as Professor Emeritus until his death.

Even more…

During this time, Thiebaud began developing his style, always with that graphic arts influence. He gravitated toward cakes, pies, and ice cream. Thiebaud’s paintings, which are not limited to food, abound with brushstrokes, light effects, and almost always shadows. Many times, that graphic arts background can be seen in the almost cartoon-esque qualities of the images.

“I’d been working in food, washing dishes. That was my environment. I remember seeing pies laid out, processed food that I’d worked on, so I started painting these triangles and turning them into pies. I thought, “My God! I’m done in! Nobody will ever take me seriously!” Then I found I couldn’t leave it alone, it was so real to me (source).”

Only a little more…

Wayne Thiebaud never considered himself a pop artist. In fact, his first exhibition was before the genre was embraced. He didn’t care much for Andy Warhol. Instead, Thiebaud considered himself a traditional painter. There are many wonderful articles you can read about this artist (here, here, here, and here). Thiebaud received many honors, among them the Gold Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement as well as the National Medal of Arts. In addition, he was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2010 and “honored with the California Art Award in recognition of his part in raising the prominence of California art around the world (source).” As I read about different artists, I usually get some kind of vibe about that person. My thought on Thiebaud is he was very down to earth, loved painting, and was probably amazed at some of his success. One example of that is the sale of Four Pinball Machines which sold for $19.135 million dollars in July, 2020! He didn’t own it at the time, though I bet he wished he did. Wayne Thiebaud passed on December 25, 2021. He was 101 years old.

In his own words…

About the art work…

“Jawbreaker Machine” was painted in oils on canvas. It measures (unframed) 26 x 31.5 in (66.04 x 80.01 cm) and (framed) 26 5/8 x 32 5/16 in (67.63 x 82.07 cm). A personal gift to Allan Stone, Thiebaud’s manager in New York City, the painting first appeared in an exhibition at the Pasadena Art Museum in 1968. By that time, it had been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Glenn of Kansas City, MO. It has been shown numerous times since that first exhibition, including London, Cologne, Madrid, Montreal, Nagoya, Kobe, and Paris. “Jawbreaker Machine” is currently on exhibit at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City (source).

My interpretation…

When I first saw this art work, my thought was polka dots. When I went searching through my closet for polka dots, I discovered my collection is woefully lacking in them! I thought I had a scarf, but I must have donated it during one of my Lenten purges. I went back to the art work and focused in on the colors. Then, the light bulb went off. I knew the perfect skirt for this challenge. How many of you thought this was the dress from this post? Nope, I loved the print so much, I nabbed the skirt when it went on sale! Both are still on sale but only through July 4th. I added the Jane Cropped Sweater in aqua (it’s not a perfect match to the skirt but close enough). And, don’t be shocked! I’m not wearing anything else under it because nothing shows. I added this narrow macrame belt from Target. And, to add a bit more color and texture, I draped an old scarf from J Jill around my neck.

The Lewk!

You have seen these Clarks wedges on the blog numerous times. They work so well with everything and are comfortable to boot! My bracelet and earrings are rose gold and from Stella & Dot. They are based on some old lace one of the founders of the company had found. I almost sold the cuff on Poshmark once upon a time but changed my mind.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I loved reading about Wayne Thiebaud. His artwork isn’t something I have to think long and hard about, but I enjoyed seeing it. I’m going to have to see if there are any pieces at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I really hope so because it’s unlike what I’m used to seeing there. So, can we talk? What does this piece of art say to you? Do you like the colors, the shapes, or the memories it evokes? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as quickly as possible.

10 on the 10th reminder…

I do hope you’ll join me for this month’s 10 Would You Rathers. There’s a link party, too!

Affiliate links and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. I am an April Cornell Brand Ambassador for another season. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off any order over $75. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.

Thank you!

I truly appreciate everyone who subscribes or comments. I also love hearing from you via emails. You are why I continue to blog! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style,  Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend with Leslie every Thursday. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

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