ARTIST STATEMENT
After a long, successful career with the Eastman Kodak Company as a photojournalist and editorial photographer, Emile Dillon returned to painting in 1998. As a photographer he traveled the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. While he’d chosen the camera for his profession, he’d grown up with oil on canvas. His grandfather was the Harlem Renaissance painter Frank Joseph Dillon and a favorite uncle was the Latin American artist Felix Vargas.
Dillon’s years behind the camera and days in Soho galleries inspired him to pursue Photorealism as a style. But instead of the landscape of the exotic which he’d experienced in his Kodak travels, he was fascinated by the humble diners, motels, and vintage signs which were vanishing from American towns and cities. Dillon says of his subject matter, “somebody’s got to save these things… These places may not exist anymore in the next 100 years.”
Dillon studied at the School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League in New York and his work appears in numerous private collections and as well as the American Historical Museum in Jersey City, and the New Public Library in Newark, New Jersey.
After a long, successful career with the Eastman Kodak Company as a photojournalist and editorial photographer, Emile Dillon returned to painting in 1998. As a photographer he traveled the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. While he’d chosen the camera for his profession, he’d grown up with oil on canvas. His grandfather was the Harlem Renaissance painter Frank Joseph Dillon and a favorite uncle was the Latin American artist Felix Vargas.
Dillon’s years behind the camera and days in Soho galleries inspired him to pursue Photorealism as a style. But instead of the landscape of the exotic which he’d experienced in his Kodak travels, he was fascinated by the humble diners, motels, and vintage signs which were vanishing from American towns and cities. Dillon says of his subject matter, “somebody’s got to save these things… These places may not exist anymore in the next 100 years.”
Dillon studied at the School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League in New York and his work appears in numerous private collections and as well as the American Historical Museum in Jersey City, and the New Public Library in Newark, New Jersey.
BIOGRAPHY
Emile grew up in New Jersey in a family of artists. His grandfather was Frank Joseph Dillon a famous 20th century painter and his uncle Felix Vargas was a famous Latin American painter. Emile started painting at an early age watching both his grandfather and uncle. In the middle 1970’s Emile started working for the Eastman Kodak Company and also became a photojournalist and editorial photographer. During the course of his career he photographed many famous people and traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 1998, Emile went back to his first love, painting, studying at The School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League in New York City.
Emile grew up in New Jersey in a family of artists. His grandfather was Frank Joseph Dillon a famous 20th century painter and his uncle Felix Vargas was a famous Latin American painter. Emile started painting at an early age watching both his grandfather and uncle. In the middle 1970’s Emile started working for the Eastman Kodak Company and also became a photojournalist and editorial photographer. During the course of his career he photographed many famous people and traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 1998, Emile went back to his first love, painting, studying at The School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League in New York City.
RESUME
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021 GALLERY ARTISTS, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2019 GALLERY ARTISTS, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2016 GROUP EXHIBITION, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2016 ART X 9, The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, Florida.
2015 JANUARY DAYDREAMS OF SUMMER, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2013 12 ARTISTS, Mary McLeod Bethune Visual Arts Gallery, Daytona Beach, FL.
2012 KUUMBA, Juice Gallery, 1 Independent Drive, Wells Fargo Center, Jacksonville, FL.
2010 AS TIME GOES BY, The Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL.
2009 SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, Hollingsworth Gallery, 160 Cypress Pt. Pkwy, Suite 210-B, Palm Coast, FL.
2006 SUNDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE ARTISTS, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm Coast, FL.
2006 ASHE IV, African American Cultural Society, Palm Coast, FL.
2005 BLACK FLY FINE ART GALLERY, 11 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL.
2005 ART IN THE PARK, Palm Coast Community Center, Palm Coast, FL.
2004 SUNDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE ARTISTS, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm coast, FL.
2004 ASHE IV, African American Cultural Society, Palm Coast, FL.
2004 ART IN THE PARK, Palm Coast Community Center, Palm Coast, FL.
2003 SPRING MEMBERS SHOW, St. Augustine Art Association, St. Augustine, FL.
2003 CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm Coast, FL.
2003 ANNUAL SPRING SHOW, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm Coast, FL.
2003 HEARTSTRINGS, The Clifton Arts Center, 900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ.
2002 PATERSON: VIEWS FROM MONTCLAIR, The Paterson Museum, 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ.
2002 AFTER THE SEED IS SOWN, The Interchurch Center Gallery, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY.
2002 ATRIUM’S JOURNEY: A DECADE, Atrium Art gallery, Court Street,
2001 SENSIBILITY TOWARD LINE AND FORM, Montclair State University Art Gallery, Upper Montclair, NJ
2001 PERSONAL SCAPES, Watchung Arts Center, 18 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Prudential Insurance Company, Newark, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, The Ballantine House, Newark, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Glassboro State College, Glassboro, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, New Jersey Institute Of Technology, Newark, NJ.
1988 THE PREVIEW EXHIBIT: A PORTRAIT, Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, New York, NY.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Newark Public Library, Newark, NJ.
1987 THE HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, New York City, NY.
1987 NEWARK-A DAY IN THE CITY, Courtney Gallery, Grossnickle Hall, Jersey City State College, Jersey City, NJ.
1986 THE ART SHOW, Montclair, NJ,
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 VANISHING AMERICA, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2017 VANISHING AMERICA, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2003 TRANSITIONS, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1992 VISIONS, ’92, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1989 VISIONS, ’89 East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1988 VISIONS, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1987 VISIONS, Afro-American Historical Museum, Jersey City, NJ.
1987 URBAN LANDSCAPES, The Montclair Public Library, Montclair, NJ.
1987 URBAN LANDSCAPES, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1986 INNER VISIONS, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
COLLECTIONS
New Jersey Network, Newark, New Jersey.
Afro-American Historical Museum, Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Newark Public library, Newark, New Jersey.
PUBLICATIONS
" Cityscapes & Architecture", American Art Collector Magazine, Feb, 2021 Pages- 51, 55.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2020, Pages- 72, 77.
"Time Warp", The Argonaut, August 22, 2019, Page-11.
“ Down Memory Lane”, American Art Collector Magazine, July 2019, Pages- 142, 143.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2019, Pages- 79, 82.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2018, Pages- 64, 65, 66, 67.
“ ART X NINE”, The Palm Coast Observer, Arts and Culture Section, January 28, 2016, Page-2B-5B.
“ Hot Diggity: A New Jersey Tale”, The New York Times, September 25, 2013, Page-D7
“Local Artist To Show at Kuumba”, Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, July 21, 2012, Page-6A.
“Neighbor Of The Week”, The Palm Coast Observer, July 21, 2012, Page-3.
“Picture This”, The Palm Coast Observer, November 18, 2010, Page-3.
“Local Artist Featured In Area Exhibit-As Time Goes By”, Palm Coast Neighborhood News, February 2010, Page-11.
“Dillon To Be Featured In Daytona Beach Art Exhibit” The Flagler Times, February 6, 2010, Page-1.
“My View Of The Arts”, The Palm Coast Courier, April 2009, Page-18.
“Turnout Spectacular For Art In The Park” Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, March 9, 2005, Page-3B.
“Art Brings Welcome Change From Storms” The Flagler Times, September 25, 2004, Page-2A.
“Art Exhibit At Library Features Works By Dillon” East Orange Record, March 13, 2003, Page-7.
“East Orange Public Library Presents The Emile Dillon II Art Exhibition” Local Talk Weekly, March 12, 2003, Page-4.
“Emile Dillon II Will Show Art” East Orange Record, March 6, 2003, Page-2.
“Emile Dillon II Exhibits at Patterson Museum” The Montclair Times, October 31, 2002, Page-B-5.
“Resident To Have Art Work Shown” The Orange Transcript, October 10, 2002, Page-8.
“Dillon Artwork On Exhibition” The Montclair Times, June 7, 2001, Page B-3.
“Dillon To have Paintings Exhibited in Watchung” Orange Transcript, April 5, 2001, Page-3.
“Dillon Receives Proclamation In Honor Of Exhibit”, East Orange Record, May 21, 1992, Page-6.
“Photographer Exhibits Work”, Orange Transcript, April 23, 1992
“Newark Museum Tries To Right Oversight By Presenting Works Of 33 Black Artists”, The Star Ledger, January 20, 1990, Page-18
“Emile Dillon”, N.J.I.T. Magazine, 1989, Page-10.
“Local Photographer Shows His Work”, by Samuel Williams Jr., East Orange Record, March 16, 1989, Page-2.
“Area Artists Honored For Contributions”, by John Marino, East Orange Record/Orange Transcript, November 23, 1988, Page-5.
“Visions Of Photographer Exhibit In E.O.”, The New Jersey Afro-American, February 6, 1988, Page-8.
“Visions Exhibits Local Artists Work [sic]”, East Orange Record, January 28, 1988, Page-5.
“What’s Going On”, Essex Journal, March 12, 1987, Page-15.
“Emile Dillon Will Exhibit His Urban Landscapes At EOPL”, East Orange Record, March 12, 1987, Page-1.
“Local Photographer Exhibits At EOPL”, West Orange Chronicle, February 27, 1986, Page-14.
BOOKS
‘The Woven Tale Press” Selected Works 2015 Page-56, 57.
Hollingsworth Gallery 2009 Annual Catalogue of Exhibitions Page-10, 56.
“A Celebration Of Art”, The Flagler County Art League, PhotoGraphics Publishing, Page-32, 33.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2nd Place of Show, Flagler County Art league, (2013).
1st Place of Media, Flagler County Art league, (2011).
Judges Choice, The Art league of Daytona, (2011).
Honorable Mention, Flagler County Art league, (2011).
1st Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2010).
1st Place, “76th Annual Juried Exhibit”, The Art league of Daytona, (2007).
Certificate of Award , Equal Award of Excellence, “Landscape Show”, St Augustine Art Association, (2007).
1st Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2006).
Best of Show, “Ashe IV”, African American Cultural Society, (2006).
2nd Place, “Art In The Park”, Flagler County Art League, (2005).
2nd Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2004).
1st Place, “Ashe IV”, African American Cultural Society, (2004).
3rd Place, “Art In The Park”, Flagler County Art League, (2004).
Award of Merit, “Celebration of the Arts”, Flagler County Council for the Arts, (2003).
Certificate of Award 5th Place, “Spring Members Show”, St Augustine Art Association, (2003).
Honorable Mention, “Annual Spring Art Show”, Millennium Art Guild at Palm Coast, (2003).
Proclamation for Emile R. Dillon II Day, Office of the Mayor, City of Orange Township, N. J., (April 28, 1992).
Certificate for Outstanding Photographic Achievement, Montclair Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, (1992).
Citation-New Jersey General Assembly for Outstanding Photographic Work, (1989).
Certificate of Appreciation (National Artist Week) (1988).
2021 GALLERY ARTISTS, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2019 GALLERY ARTISTS, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, CA
2016 GROUP EXHIBITION, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2016 ART X 9, The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, Florida.
2015 JANUARY DAYDREAMS OF SUMMER, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2013 12 ARTISTS, Mary McLeod Bethune Visual Arts Gallery, Daytona Beach, FL.
2012 KUUMBA, Juice Gallery, 1 Independent Drive, Wells Fargo Center, Jacksonville, FL.
2010 AS TIME GOES BY, The Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL.
2009 SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, Hollingsworth Gallery, 160 Cypress Pt. Pkwy, Suite 210-B, Palm Coast, FL.
2006 SUNDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE ARTISTS, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm Coast, FL.
2006 ASHE IV, African American Cultural Society, Palm Coast, FL.
2005 BLACK FLY FINE ART GALLERY, 11 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL.
2005 ART IN THE PARK, Palm Coast Community Center, Palm Coast, FL.
2004 SUNDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE ARTISTS, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm coast, FL.
2004 ASHE IV, African American Cultural Society, Palm Coast, FL.
2004 ART IN THE PARK, Palm Coast Community Center, Palm Coast, FL.
2003 SPRING MEMBERS SHOW, St. Augustine Art Association, St. Augustine, FL.
2003 CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm Coast, FL.
2003 ANNUAL SPRING SHOW, Daytona Beach Community College, Palm Coast, FL.
2003 HEARTSTRINGS, The Clifton Arts Center, 900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ.
2002 PATERSON: VIEWS FROM MONTCLAIR, The Paterson Museum, 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ.
2002 AFTER THE SEED IS SOWN, The Interchurch Center Gallery, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY.
2002 ATRIUM’S JOURNEY: A DECADE, Atrium Art gallery, Court Street,
2001 SENSIBILITY TOWARD LINE AND FORM, Montclair State University Art Gallery, Upper Montclair, NJ
2001 PERSONAL SCAPES, Watchung Arts Center, 18 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Prudential Insurance Company, Newark, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, The Ballantine House, Newark, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Glassboro State College, Glassboro, NJ.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, New Jersey Institute Of Technology, Newark, NJ.
1988 THE PREVIEW EXHIBIT: A PORTRAIT, Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, New York, NY.
1988 A DAY IN THE CITY, Newark Public Library, Newark, NJ.
1987 THE HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, New York City, NY.
1987 NEWARK-A DAY IN THE CITY, Courtney Gallery, Grossnickle Hall, Jersey City State College, Jersey City, NJ.
1986 THE ART SHOW, Montclair, NJ,
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 VANISHING AMERICA, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2017 VANISHING AMERICA, Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica, California.
2003 TRANSITIONS, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1992 VISIONS, ’92, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1989 VISIONS, ’89 East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1988 VISIONS, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1987 VISIONS, Afro-American Historical Museum, Jersey City, NJ.
1987 URBAN LANDSCAPES, The Montclair Public Library, Montclair, NJ.
1987 URBAN LANDSCAPES, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
1986 INNER VISIONS, East Orange Public Library, East Orange, NJ.
COLLECTIONS
New Jersey Network, Newark, New Jersey.
Afro-American Historical Museum, Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Newark Public library, Newark, New Jersey.
PUBLICATIONS
" Cityscapes & Architecture", American Art Collector Magazine, Feb, 2021 Pages- 51, 55.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2020, Pages- 72, 77.
"Time Warp", The Argonaut, August 22, 2019, Page-11.
“ Down Memory Lane”, American Art Collector Magazine, July 2019, Pages- 142, 143.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2019, Pages- 79, 82.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2018, Pages- 64, 65, 66, 67.
“ ART X NINE”, The Palm Coast Observer, Arts and Culture Section, January 28, 2016, Page-2B-5B.
“ Hot Diggity: A New Jersey Tale”, The New York Times, September 25, 2013, Page-D7
“Local Artist To Show at Kuumba”, Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, July 21, 2012, Page-6A.
“Neighbor Of The Week”, The Palm Coast Observer, July 21, 2012, Page-3.
“Picture This”, The Palm Coast Observer, November 18, 2010, Page-3.
“Local Artist Featured In Area Exhibit-As Time Goes By”, Palm Coast Neighborhood News, February 2010, Page-11.
“Dillon To Be Featured In Daytona Beach Art Exhibit” The Flagler Times, February 6, 2010, Page-1.
“My View Of The Arts”, The Palm Coast Courier, April 2009, Page-18.
“Turnout Spectacular For Art In The Park” Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, March 9, 2005, Page-3B.
“Art Brings Welcome Change From Storms” The Flagler Times, September 25, 2004, Page-2A.
“Art Exhibit At Library Features Works By Dillon” East Orange Record, March 13, 2003, Page-7.
“East Orange Public Library Presents The Emile Dillon II Art Exhibition” Local Talk Weekly, March 12, 2003, Page-4.
“Emile Dillon II Will Show Art” East Orange Record, March 6, 2003, Page-2.
“Emile Dillon II Exhibits at Patterson Museum” The Montclair Times, October 31, 2002, Page-B-5.
“Resident To Have Art Work Shown” The Orange Transcript, October 10, 2002, Page-8.
“Dillon Artwork On Exhibition” The Montclair Times, June 7, 2001, Page B-3.
“Dillon To have Paintings Exhibited in Watchung” Orange Transcript, April 5, 2001, Page-3.
“Dillon Receives Proclamation In Honor Of Exhibit”, East Orange Record, May 21, 1992, Page-6.
“Photographer Exhibits Work”, Orange Transcript, April 23, 1992
“Newark Museum Tries To Right Oversight By Presenting Works Of 33 Black Artists”, The Star Ledger, January 20, 1990, Page-18
“Emile Dillon”, N.J.I.T. Magazine, 1989, Page-10.
“Local Photographer Shows His Work”, by Samuel Williams Jr., East Orange Record, March 16, 1989, Page-2.
“Area Artists Honored For Contributions”, by John Marino, East Orange Record/Orange Transcript, November 23, 1988, Page-5.
“Visions Of Photographer Exhibit In E.O.”, The New Jersey Afro-American, February 6, 1988, Page-8.
“Visions Exhibits Local Artists Work [sic]”, East Orange Record, January 28, 1988, Page-5.
“What’s Going On”, Essex Journal, March 12, 1987, Page-15.
“Emile Dillon Will Exhibit His Urban Landscapes At EOPL”, East Orange Record, March 12, 1987, Page-1.
“Local Photographer Exhibits At EOPL”, West Orange Chronicle, February 27, 1986, Page-14.
BOOKS
‘The Woven Tale Press” Selected Works 2015 Page-56, 57.
Hollingsworth Gallery 2009 Annual Catalogue of Exhibitions Page-10, 56.
“A Celebration Of Art”, The Flagler County Art League, PhotoGraphics Publishing, Page-32, 33.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2nd Place of Show, Flagler County Art league, (2013).
1st Place of Media, Flagler County Art league, (2011).
Judges Choice, The Art league of Daytona, (2011).
Honorable Mention, Flagler County Art league, (2011).
1st Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2010).
1st Place, “76th Annual Juried Exhibit”, The Art league of Daytona, (2007).
Certificate of Award , Equal Award of Excellence, “Landscape Show”, St Augustine Art Association, (2007).
1st Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2006).
Best of Show, “Ashe IV”, African American Cultural Society, (2006).
2nd Place, “Art In The Park”, Flagler County Art League, (2005).
2nd Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2004).
1st Place, “Ashe IV”, African American Cultural Society, (2004).
3rd Place, “Art In The Park”, Flagler County Art League, (2004).
Award of Merit, “Celebration of the Arts”, Flagler County Council for the Arts, (2003).
Certificate of Award 5th Place, “Spring Members Show”, St Augustine Art Association, (2003).
Honorable Mention, “Annual Spring Art Show”, Millennium Art Guild at Palm Coast, (2003).
Proclamation for Emile R. Dillon II Day, Office of the Mayor, City of Orange Township, N. J., (April 28, 1992).
Certificate for Outstanding Photographic Achievement, Montclair Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, (1992).
Citation-New Jersey General Assembly for Outstanding Photographic Work, (1989).
Certificate of Appreciation (National Artist Week) (1988).