In the 1960s, Wayne Thiebaud's artistic journey took significant strides, marking a pivotal period in his career that would firmly establish his reputation in the art world. During this decade, Thiebaud, already deviating from his commercial art background, began to gain recognition for his unique approach to painting, which involved the thick application of pigment and exaggerated colors to depict commonplace objects such as pies, pastries, and items from American diner culture. His work from this period, while often associated with the Pop Art movement due to its subject matter, diverged from Pop Art's focus on mass media and consumerism. Thiebaud's paintings, created from life rather than media images, displayed a loose brushstroke and richness of form, underscoring his personal engagement with his subjects​ (Encyclopedia Britannica)​​ (The Art Story)​. Thiebaud's involvement with the art scene of New York City in the late 1950s and early 1960s exposed him to influential circles and movements, which although didn't fully align with his own artistic sensibilities, contributed to his development as an artist. Despite his critical success and associations with key figures in the art world, Thiebaud maintained a distinct sense of individuality in his work, prioritizing an "Americanness" that was deeply rooted in the everyday and familiar​ (Smithsonian Magazine)​. 1962 marked a significant year for Thiebaud as his works were featured in the "New Painting of Common Objects" exhibition at the Pasadena Art Museum, now considered one of the first major Pop Art exhibitions in America. This show, curated by Walter Hopps, brought Thiebaud into the national spotlight alongside artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. However, Thiebaud himself has often disclaimed being a Pop artist, citing his different approach to subject matter and technique​ (Wikipedia)​. The 1960s also saw Thiebaud exploring new directions in his work, such as landscapes and cityscapes inspired by the California delta region. These paintings, noted for their shifting perspectives and geometric patterns, demonstrated Thiebaud's continued evolution as an artist and his ability to transcend the categorizations that had previously defined him. His delta paintings, characterized by their unusual hues and multiple vantage points, were a departure from his earlier still lifes, yet they maintained his signature style of thick brushstrokes and attention to the nuances of light and color​ (Smithsonian Magazine)​. Throughout this decade, Thiebaud's career was characterized by a deepening of his artistic inquiries, as he experimented with form, perspective, and color, all while maintaining a connection to the tangible world that surrounded him. His work from the 1960s not only contributed to the broader discourse of American art at the time but also set the stage for his continued exploration of the landscapes and everyday scenes that would define his later career.