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DFilippone on 17 July
2010
The C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts
104 Washington Street,
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
I am a strong believer and know the importance of maintaining a sketchbook. It’s the best way to keep your skills sharp and remain a viable artist. An artist’s sketchbook can be very personal and reveal a lot about the person, but these sketches are great moments in time observing life around me.
My sketchbooks can be found on me where ever I go. Out of sheer pleasure and relaxation, with any free moment, whether waiting around or enjoying an espresso, I find myself observing and sketching in my handmade sketchbooks.
I was dissatisfied with the quality of store bought sketchbooks, so over the years I have made all my sketchbooks. Choosing only quality papers, I tear them into a variety of different sizes and I use scrap pieces of matte board for the covers which I then have wire bound at the local office supply store. The making of my sketchbooks personalizes and makes a greater connection to the experience.
Some sketches are exactly that and then there are some that I would revisit and develop into more sustained drawings. I’ve included a variety of quick gestural and spontaneous line drawings to the more observed and developed drawing.
It takes a lot of sketching to get a couple of gems, so here are some I like. All sketches are from observation, working with archival ink.
DFilippone on 17 July
2010
The C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts
104 Washington Street,
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
DFilippone on 20 April
2009

The capability of the human form and its design seen through under-recognized individuals is what this body of work, 'Laborers' pays homage to. I strongly believe in the determined strength of the human mind as an over riding control over the physical capabilities of the human body. Our ability to accomplish difficult and challenging tasks allows us to advance in society through these actions.
DFilippone on 10 May 2008
While settling in and becoming comfortable with a new studio space, I settled into the space by doing some observed nature studies exploring a different medium. Metalpoint drawings and the process, which includes time and patience to build up the subtle strokes that cluster together to create subtle tone, were always of interest.
Metalpoint drawings are when a wire of metal (silver, copper, brass) is used like a pencil to create delicate lines and marks on a prepared surface. Over time metalpoint will oxidize, causing it to darken slightly and take on a subtle brownish hue. Metalpoint processes are referred to as: silverpoint, copperpoint and brasspoint.
DFilippone on 10 May 2008
Illustration is directly linked to ever-changing social and political trends, fine art movements and technological advances in the field of publishing. Through a wide variety of skills and styles, images are created to express visually the ideas of the client. Painting and drawing are the foundations of this applied art, but the real definition of illustration is that it is a form of storytelling. As an illustrator in editorial and book illustration, I incorporate a narrative and sense of humor to conceptualize and distill concepts and commentary into a single image.
Still Life
‘Still Life’ is the expression of a motionless existence. I find great beauty and interest in the unmoving, tranquil nature of the subject, whether it is the bare bones of a bird or its brightly colored feathers.
This series reflects a personal interest in the natural world around us. ‘Still Life’ explores that natural world, with an effort to combine science and art. The studies are of specimens that exhibit any number of beautiful qualities in life and continue to exhibit a natural beauty as preserved specimens. The still life’s explore the various species that inhabit a variety of environments.
Death usually means an end, but this series brings these specimens to life. This life-long intrigue with the sciences explores life in death, with all its similarities and differences.