Throughout the 2000s, Wayne Thiebaud continued to expand and refine his exploration of American landscapes, still lifes, and cityscapes, remaining an influential figure in the art world until his death in 2021. His work from this period demonstrates a deepening engagement with the themes and styles that defined his career, showcasing his versatility as an artist and his commitment to exploring the formal possibilities of painting. In the early 2000s, Thiebaud extended his exploration into landscapes, particularly focusing on the Sacramento River Delta and later, dramatic mountain scenes. These landscapes were characterized by vibrant hues and an innovative approach to perspective, eschewing traditional horizon lines in favor of flat, aerial views. His paintings from this period, such as "Fields and Furrows" (2002), employ a rich palette and meticulous technique to represent the natural beauty of the American West in a way that merges fiction with reality, drawing on the artist's memories and influenced by the history of landscape painting​ (Acquavella Galleries)​. Thiebaud's still lifes and cityscapes from the 2000s also continued to attract attention. His iconic representations of everyday objects—cakes, pies, ice cream cones, and more—remained a significant part of his work, demonstrating his unique ability to transform mundane subjects into profound expressions of color, light, and form. He experimented with color and composition to challenge and explore painting's formal aspects, repeatedly tackling the same subjects to delve deeper into their potential. His influence and contributions were recognized in several retrospectives and exhibitions during this period, highlighting the breadth of his work and his impact on American art. Notably, the San José Museum of Art hosted "Wayne Thiebaud: Seventy Years of Painting" in 2010, a comprehensive exhibition spanning the course of his prolific career. This exhibition showcased many of Thiebaud’s most popular images, including favorites from his personal holdings, and featured a significant number of works from the last decade of his work at that time. This retrospective was a tribute to Thiebaud's enduring vitality as an artist and the momentum of his life's work, underscoring his role as a master of American painting​ (San José Museum of Art)​. Wayne Thiebaud's art in the 2000s reflects a continued evolution of his artistic vision, marked by a deep engagement with the landscape of California, a nuanced exploration of still life, and a celebration of the everyday through his cityscapes. His legacy as an artist is characterized not only by his distinctive style and subject matter but also by his dedication to the craft of painting, his influence on generations of artists, and his contribution to the narrative of American art.