More on the WPA, since I'm on a roll... One of my favorite artists is Thomas Hart Benton. Not only did he come into his own during the WPA, he also has a fascinating history. Here's a good PBS article if you want to read more.
Of note, Benton taught Jackson Pollock. Lots of people seem shocked at the dissimilarity of their work. I think Benton's influence can be explained by this great quote from Earl Bennett, a former student (from PBS article):
"He conveyed to us his sensuous involvement with color, materials and textures. He'd get terribly excited about a milkweed in the fall with its glowing gold interior. [He showed us how] milkweed could be sexy," Bennett remembers. "A fire burned in that little old man."
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