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Artist Statement:
I have entered the world of
children's book illustration
from a fine arts background.
My first approach to my art
has always been to please
myself, whether it is a
seascape or a landscape or a
painting of a ship or Rip
Squeak™; it has to be
something I feel strongly
about and need to be satisfied
with. Having always painted in
a realistic style, it was
natural for me to create Rip
in the same manner. That's how
I do things. I always wanted
the work to appeal, not only
to children, but also to
adults and the child I believe
is in most adults. So
secondly, I do my paintings
for children, to give them the
best quality I can provide--
something I hope will be
unique and memorable and will
be appreciated beyond
childhood.
I believe that art should be
the best we have to offer and
reflect the positive things in
society and the world -- the
nightly news brings us more
then enough negatives. If my
art can make someone smile, I
have accomplished what I set
out to do.
...
Further Information
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Artist Exhibitions:
Recent One Man & Group Shows:
OnGoing:
Rip Squeak and Friends
Galleries in Monterey, Carmel,
and San Luis Obispo,
California (see
www/RipSqueak.com for further
info.)
October 2005 to January 2006
Solo Exhibition - Delaware Art
Museum, Wilmington, Delaware
April 2003 Featured artist
and included in Exhibit of
Book Illustrators, Los ...
Further Information
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Artist Galleries:
Primary galleries include:
RIP SQUEAK AND FRIENDS
GALLERIES, Carmel-by-the-Sea,
Monterey, and San Luis Obispo,
CALIFORNIA -- See RIP
SQUEAK.COM for details.
AMERICAN VISIONS, 718 Sutter
Street, Folsom, CA
916-351-1623
BARKER ANIMATION, 27 Realty
Dr., Cheshire, CN
203-272-2222
CEL-EBRATION, 30 Monmouth St,
Red ...
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Collections:
The original acrylic painting,
"MAROONED," is a part of the
permanent collection of the
Delaware Art Museum in
Wilmington, Delaware.
Leoanrd Filgate's work can
also be found in numerous
private collections in the
United States, Canada, Mexico,
South and Central America,
Europe, Australia, and
Asia....
Further Information
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Commissions:
Commissions have included Rip
Squeak, Inc., Harcourt School
Publishers, United States
Navy, Warner Bros. Television,
and various other private
individuals and corporations
across the United States and
in Canada.
Commissions are chosen on an
individual basis by the
artist. You may contact him
with any queries....
Further Information
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Reviews for Leonard Filgate:
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From Gallery Directors:
“The first time I saw Leonard’s art, I could feel the connection— the lineage that stretched back to such diverse influences as Tenniel and N.C. Wyeth. Leonard’s work is, from first glance, timeless. The Rip Squeak stories remind me of what I find missing in so many of today’s children’s books. . . The heart, the soul, the emotion of the characters in the Rip Squeak stories— conveyed both in Susan’s writing and Leonard’s art— are deeply felt. We know Rip and his friends like we know our own children.”
Lois Sarkisian
Every Picture Tells a Story. . .
Los Angeles, California
“Leonard Filgate speaks in the human language. His illustrations transcend culture, age group and gender. The joyfulness of the story and the characters represent unconditional love and allow us to feel we have regained our lost innocence, something we all need more of in our lives.”
Sandy Phillips Dobronte
Phillips Gallery of Fine Art
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
“There’s nothing like it! People fall in love with Rip Squeak. They like to feel good and this artwork makes them smile with joy. They instantly relate to the paintings.”
Jeff Kamka
Galleria di Sorrento, Caesar’s Forum Shops
Las Vegas, Nevada
"We invite kids into the gallery, from schools and shelters, and read Rip Squeak and His Friends to them. They love it! And teachers are always impressed. Pirate Tales and More is a tribute to art teachers with the inclusion of the preliminary sketches and sharing the development of paintings."
Tom Head
Abreu Gallery
Sacramento, California
"There is a freshness to Leonard Filgate's work that tweaks the imagination in everyone, from the very young to the old. I have been in the publishing world for many years, know the medium pretty well, and believe Rip Squeak is unusually enchanting! The sensitivity of the characters brings out the child-likeness in all of us. And Susan's phraseology is wonderful--'soon they were moving at the speed of kitten'--we have all seen that and she makes us want to know more about that experience. Rip Squeak's bravery reminds us that you have to take the first step, no matter what your size."
Dorothy Brunton
The Mole Hole
Solvang, California
"Rip Squeak is everybody's favorite here. It is absolutely delightful and people are begging for more images. I have had a huge success with it, collectors return and bring their friends with them."
Beth Love
Oounkshaw Gallery
Young Harris, Georgia
"Our clients love Rip Squeak. We have never had such an immediate response from our collectors. We can't keep the art on the wall!”
Thad Markham
Artifacts Gallery
Cambria, California
From the Media:
“Have you ever wondered what happens when you leave the house? Have you ever wondered what the animals are doing while you’re away? This beautifully illustrated book dares to imagine just that. It tells the story of one house whose owners have gone away on vacation and left the cat and some mice and one garden frog alone. Does it sound like a dangerous mixture? Well, what happens next is a series of lively adventures that are driven by fun and imagination. It reminds us that a lot of things can go on while us humans are away. The story itself is wonderful, but the pictures really bring it to life. They are exquisitely crafted and make the reader feel as if you can actually reach out and touch the characters. Leonard Filgate is obviously exceptionally talented and should be commended for the work displayed here. This book really should be a must have for any collection.”
The CLCD Company, LLC
www.childrenslit.com
March 2002
“’Rip Squeak and His Friends” is an artfully illustrated story intended for children and destined for the child in all of us. Its pictures, more beautiful than we might imagine, were not designed to illustrate the story. They are, instead, the fine art images that inspired the story.”
Lisa Crawford Watson
Special to the Monterey Herald
Monterey, California
December 2001
“Imagine a near-perfect world where cats and mice get along…well, maybe it only happens in books such as “Rip Squeak and His Friends.” Illustrator Leonard Filgate captures the innocence of-and brings humanlike qualities to all the characters in his colorful and detailed artwork. The characters' acceptance of each others’ differences allows them to interact without prejudice and sets the mood for this gentle tale.”
Los Angeles Daily News
Los Angeles, California
November 2001
“One book worth reading… Sometimes, best friend turn out to be those you’d least expect. Author Susan Yost-Filgate teaches kids understanding in her new book, Rip Squeak and His Friends. The story for 3 to 8 year olds is sweetly told, but the beauty of the book is in the acrylic paintings by Leonard Filgate. The colorful paintings of the two mice, cat and a frog are done in exquisite detail and are so lovely they’re displayed in art galleries across the country.”
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Ft. Worth, Texas
October 2001
“Rip Squeak is a wonderful, young mouse whose adventures begin with his sister Jesse and an abandoned cat named Abbey who they’ve befriended. Along the way a brilliant and unique frog, Euripides, joins the fun. This odd grouping of friends manages to get along quite well, despite their obvious differences, and promotes a message of ‘harmony, understanding, tolerance and warmth without violence’ – qualities often elusive in today’s world.”
Elizabethtown Chronicle
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
October 2001
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