Sam Dion Retrospective Exhibit
26th August 2021
SAM DION ~ RETROSPECTIVE
Sam Dion is an artist whose career has spanned from successful illustrator
to award-winning painter. At 91 years old, Dion is more prolific than ever,
creating paintings, drawings and sketches from his home in Roxborough,
Pennsylvania. Dion is always creating a new pastel, gouache, watercolor or
multi-media work inspired by the beauty and incongruities of the world
around him. Dion’s pictures create a snapshot of a moment in time, the
afternoon light on a windowsill, a view from the porch, a reclining cat, an
old bike alongside a flowering tree.
Before the pandemic, Dion was never without a conté crayon or pastel
capturing people in local coffeeshops, where customers would be unaware
of his sketching them. Cafes, diners and outdoor eateries were inspiration
for Dion’s many paintings and sketches. His love for people comes through
in his skill for capturing figures moving, walking, reading, chatting and
playing instruments.
Dion’s passion for painting and drawing began decades ago in Philadelphia
and Atlantic City, where he would draw portraits of passersby on the
boardwalk. Born in 1930, his pastel “Bread, Cheese and Wine” earned him
a scholarship in 1948 to The Museum School of Industrial Arts. He also
taught at that school, which later became the Philadelphia College of Art.
He was in the 11th Airborne division 56th tank battalion stationed in
Kentucky during the The Korean conflict, and from there his career as an
illustrator took off.
From his home in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, he supported his family by
drawing storyboards for advertising agencies, editorials, pharmaceutical
and fashion illustrations, album covers, and commissions for newspapers.
Dion drew a series of portraits for the Jewish Exponent which is still in
circulation, and illustrated a cover for The Saturday Evening Post during
the Cuban Missile Crisis. His ‘Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow’ painted for
SmithKLine pharmaceuticals, is a classically painted masterpiece in the
style of 18th century painter, Jacque-Louis David, however with the
humorous addition of handkerchiefs into which Napoleon’s army are
blowing their noses.
Upon moving to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in the 1990’s, Dion returned to
the landscape and portrait painting that he loved. Bloomsburg University
and the town itself gave Dion the opportunity to paint large-scale
impressionist style paintings of the town, the hills of Columbia County, and
the campus. All subject-matter was inspiration for Dion including students
engaged in sports and eating in the cafeteria. Dion also did artwork for the
Rotary Club, the fire department, the bank and restaurants, and for 15
years was an exhibiting member of the North Mountain Art League and The
Art Space gallery cooperative. Portraits of locals, friends, commissioned
portraits and musical ensembles abound from his time in Bloomsburg.
Dion moved back to Philadelphia after the passing of his second wife to be
closer to his children and grandchildren. At 91 years old, Dion’s paintings
and portraits are more vivid and bold than ever. Dion has exhibited at TheWoodmere Art Gallery, Cheltenham Art Center, The Sketch Club and The
Plastic Club. Some of his awards include The Edith Emerson Founders
Club Award in 2003 and 1st prizes for painting at The Woodmere Art
Museum in 1990 and 1998.
Sam Dion is an artist whose career has spanned from successful illustrator
to award-winning painter. At 91 years old, Dion is more prolific than ever,
creating paintings, drawings and sketches from his home in Roxborough,
Pennsylvania. Dion is always creating a new pastel, gouache, watercolor or
multi-media work inspired by the beauty and incongruities of the world
around him. Dion’s pictures create a snapshot of a moment in time, the
afternoon light on a windowsill, a view from the porch, a reclining cat, an
old bike alongside a flowering tree.
Before the pandemic, Dion was never without a conté crayon or pastel
capturing people in local coffeeshops, where customers would be unaware
of his sketching them. Cafes, diners and outdoor eateries were inspiration
for Dion’s many paintings and sketches. His love for people comes through
in his skill for capturing figures moving, walking, reading, chatting and
playing instruments.
Dion’s passion for painting and drawing began decades ago in Philadelphia
and Atlantic City, where he would draw portraits of passersby on the
boardwalk. Born in 1930, his pastel “Bread, Cheese and Wine” earned him
a scholarship in 1948 to The Museum School of Industrial Arts. He also
taught at that school, which later became the Philadelphia College of Art.
He was in the 11th Airborne division 56th tank battalion stationed in
Kentucky during the The Korean conflict, and from there his career as an
illustrator took off.
From his home in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, he supported his family by
drawing storyboards for advertising agencies, editorials, pharmaceutical
and fashion illustrations, album covers, and commissions for newspapers.
Dion drew a series of portraits for the Jewish Exponent which is still in
circulation, and illustrated a cover for The Saturday Evening Post during
the Cuban Missile Crisis. His ‘Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow’ painted for
SmithKLine pharmaceuticals, is a classically painted masterpiece in the
style of 18th century painter, Jacque-Louis David, however with the
humorous addition of handkerchiefs into which Napoleon’s army are
blowing their noses.
Upon moving to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in the 1990’s, Dion returned to
the landscape and portrait painting that he loved. Bloomsburg University
and the town itself gave Dion the opportunity to paint large-scale
impressionist style paintings of the town, the hills of Columbia County, and
the campus. All subject-matter was inspiration for Dion including students
engaged in sports and eating in the cafeteria. Dion also did artwork for the
Rotary Club, the fire department, the bank and restaurants, and for 15
years was an exhibiting member of the North Mountain Art League and The
Art Space gallery cooperative. Portraits of locals, friends, commissioned
portraits and musical ensembles abound from his time in Bloomsburg.
Dion moved back to Philadelphia after the passing of his second wife to be
closer to his children and grandchildren. At 91 years old, Dion’s paintings
and portraits are more vivid and bold than ever. Dion has exhibited at TheWoodmere Art Gallery, Cheltenham Art Center, The Sketch Club and The
Plastic Club. Some of his awards include The Edith Emerson Founders
Club Award in 2003 and 1st prizes for painting at The Woodmere Art
Museum in 1990 and 1998.