Richard Diebenkorn's artistic journey in the 1940s set the foundation for his later achievements and notable shifts between abstract and figurative art. Initially interested in art from an early age, Diebenkorn pursued his passion despite his family's reservations. His education at Stanford University was interspersed with military service during World War II, which significantly impacted his early career and artistic development. While stationed in Quantico, Virginia, Diebenkorn took the opportunity to explore major collections of modern art on the East Coast, including visits to The Museum of Modern Art in New York and The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. These experiences exposed him to the works of major modernists and abstract expressionists, influencing his early explorations into abstract art (Wikipedia) (Encyclopedia Britannica). After the war, Diebenkorn took advantage of the G.I. Bill to study at the California School of Fine Arts (now San Francisco Art Institute), where he was later invited to join the faculty. This period marked the beginning of his professional career as an artist and educator, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to the Bay Area Figurative Movement and abstract expressionism (The Art Story) (Encyclopedia Britannica). Diebenkorn's work during the late 1940s and early 1950s began to reflect a distinct blend of abstraction and figuration, a hallmark that would define his later work. His experiences and the influence of his contemporaries and mentors, such as Clyfford Still and David Park, played crucial roles in shaping his artistic direction. Despite the dominant trend of abstract expressionism at the time, Diebenkorn's work maintained a unique balance between abstraction and the representational, foreseeing his eventual leading role in the Bay Area Figurative Movement (Wikipedia) (The Art Story) (Encyclopedia Britannica). Diebenkorn's art from the 1940s represents a critical period of exploration and development, setting the stage for his later, more celebrated phases. His ability to synthesize diverse influences into a coherent and evolving artistic vision underscores his significance as a pivotal figure in 20th-century American art. Thiebaud's artistic direction took a significant turn when he decided to further his education and career in fine art. Encouraged by Robert Mallary, Thiebaud enrolled at California State University at San Jose and then transferred to Sacramento, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees by the early 1950s. This period of study marked Thiebaud's transition from commercial to fine art, setting the stage for his future success. He worked on commissions for the California State Fair and served as a design and art consultant from 1950 to 1956, further honing his artistic skills. Thiebaud's early experience in commercial art, his service as a cartoonist during the war, and his subsequent shift towards fine art education and teaching laid the foundation for his distinctive approach to painting and his deep engagement with American culture (Smithsonian American Art Museum). Thiebaud's work in the 1940s laid the groundwork for his later exploration of mundane objects, transforming them into subjects of profound beauty and interest. This exploration of the everyday would become a hallmark of his style, setting him apart from his contemporaries and establishing him as a key figure in American art. His dedication to teaching and his contributions to art education also began to take shape during this transformative period, influencing generations of artists (Smithsonian American Art Museum) (Wikipedia).
