I AM FEST

PHILIP TOSCANO

I AM FEST 2011

Philip Toscano is the youngest of three children, born in Oak Lawn, IL, a working class suburb just South of Chicago. As many family members and friends can attest, Philip began to demonstrate an inclination of artistic expression as early as the age of 4 years old.

At the age of 13, Philip was accepted in to the Early College Program of Art Institute of Chicago where he spent 4 years developing his understanding of mix media use, namely – oil, acrylic and tempera/watercolor painting techniques.

It’s difficult to provide an all encompassing description of Philip’s influences in a mere paragraph, as there are too many to consider, both in his past and present reality and experiences.  If limited to a few, renowned artistic influences may include the art nouveau movement, Japanese style prints, early 18th century screen prints, Audrey Beardsley, Botticelli, Joseph Cornell, Marx Ernst, and Gustav Moreau.

Toscano’ s art may be perceived by the spectator as conveying life’s vulnerability and beauty from a   poignant, unbiased, emotional perspective with absolute grace and subtlety.  Philip’s use of heavy line contour and detail exert both inspiring and sometimes bold images that often give the observer something to take with them.

His art has been featured at various fests, galleries and other creative events.  He shares his gift with others by instructing adult painting course at Bottles and Bodega, on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.  Phil has been commissioned to paint on numerous occasions and openly invites communication with those who wish to work him.