ABOUT

Unexpected color, active brushstrokes, a penchant for abstraction and sometimes a little touch of humor all combine to create strong yet inviting paintings that appeal to a broad audience.

Firestone completed his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and moved to Washington DC to work in the graphic design field. His strong background in photography as well as his visual interpretations of everything from tractor-trailers to London and Paris street scenes allows him to record his unique inspirations.

His illustration and fine art work have been recognized by countless judges over the last few decades and his paintings hang in many public and private collections. He is represented by galleries in DC, Virginia and North Carolina. Illustration clients include publications such as Chesapeake Bay Magazine and Washington Post Magazine, as well as graphic design firms, and advertising agencies.

Partial Client List
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
American Diabetes Association
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
American Trucking Association
The National Archives
Brazil Industries Coalition
Service Employees International Union AFL-CIO
American Public Power Association
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Cadbury Schweppes North America
Freddie Mac
Recorded Books, Inc.
American Horticultural Society
American Red Cross
AMVETS
Loyola College in Maryland
Feld Design
Sagetopia
The Washington Post
The Baltimore Sun
Chesapeake Bay Magazine
Smithsonian Magazine
Weaving Magazine
Yankee Magazine

Studio at Workhouse Arts Center, Building 10, Lorton VA


RESUME

Awards/Group Shows

2009 Private Arts: A Designer's Art Exhibition, Artery 717, Alexandria VA
2009 42nd Annual Patron's Show, Alexandria VA
2008 Honorable Mention, International 'Scapes Show: The Art League Gallery, Alexandria VA
2008 Distinctive Impressions, TaBois Galerie d'Art, McLean VA
2007 First Place for 2-D, Art on the Half Shell, Urbanna VA
2006 Gold Award, Illustrators Club of Washington DC at Edison Place Gallery, NW DC
2005 Best in Show, Art on the Half Shell, Urbanna VA
2003 Honorable Mention, The Historic Fincastle Fine Arts Festival, Fincastle VA
2003 Dr. Richard T. Bell Memorial Prize, Art on the Half Shell, Urbanna VA
2002 Graphic Design:usa Annual
2002 The Big Book of Logos for "Brazil on the Hill"
1999 Award of Excellence, APEX '99
Bronze Medal and Merit Award, Society of Illustrators/Los Angeles, 36th Annual Exhibition
1999 Third Place, The Historic Fincastle Fine Arts Festival, Fincastle VA
1997 First Place, The Historic Fincastle Fine Arts Festival, Fincastle VA
1995 Honorable Mention, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
1993 Best of Category, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
1992 New York Society of Illustrators, Annual Exhibition
1992 Honorable Mention, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
1991 Honorable Mention, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
1990 Best of Category, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
1972 First Place, The Historic Fincastle Fine Arts Festival, Fincastle VA

Solo Exhibitions

2008 "Firestone+Firestone" The View on Elm Gallery, Greensboro NC
2007 "Sights and Scenes" Paintings and Prints, UUCF, Fairfax VA
2006 Framer McGee's Gallery, Bethesda MD
2006 Dumbarton Concert Gallery, Georgetown NW DC
2004 Landow Gallery at The Landon School, Bethesda MD
2004 "Paintings & Poetry" Arlington Central Library, Arlington VA
2003 Dumbarton Concert Gallery, Georgetown NW DC
2002 Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, Alexandria VA
2001 Dumbarton Concert Gallery, Georgetown NW DC
2001 Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Arlington VA
1999 Dumbarton Concert Gallery, Georgetown NW DC
1997 The Washington Design Center, Washington DC
1996 National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD

Teaching and Related Experiences:

Judge for the Reston Art League, Reston VA, 2009
Rappahannock Art League Painting Workshop, 2006
Illustration Class at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus
Judge for the 2003 Regional Scholastic Competition, Fairfax County Public Schools
Lecture Presentation at Shepherd College
Lecture Presentation at Montgomery College

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University, BFA
Classes at The Art League, Alexandria VA
Classes at The Arlington Art Center, Arlington VA