Google recently honored artist Keith Haring (1958-1990) with a Google Doodle to celebrate the anniversary of the late artist's birthday. Heres the doodle. If you were around during the 1980s, you may have become familiar with the works of Haring, who designed, among other things, the cover art for the multi-artist album A Very Special Christmas.
Haring became well known for his vibrant artwork often containing stylized images of people, frequently presented in the form of murals. According to his bio, he became interested in art at an early age, drawing inspiration from the works of Walt Disney and Dr. Suess. Further,
In addition to being impressed by the innovation and energy
of his contemporaries, Haring was also inspired by the work of
Jean Dubuffet, Pierre Alechinsky, William Burroughs, Brion Gysin and
Robert Henri’s manifesto The Art Spirit, which asserted the
fundamental independence of the artist. With these influences
Haring was able to push his own youthful impulses toward a singular
kind of graphic expression based on the primacy of the line. Also drawn
to the public and participatory nature of Christo’s work, in
particular "Running Fence," and by Andy Warhol’s unique fusion of
art and life, Haring was determined to devote his career to
creating a truly public art.
Haring's signature was the "radiant child." In the early '80s, Haring became a fixture in the burgeoning underground New York art scene.