Leonard Filgate is best known for his whimsical and magical RIP SQUEAK® images and books which are loved and collected worldwide. A self-taught artist, he started out as a fine artist and was part of the San Francisco scene for many years. In 1997 he ventured into the world of children’s literature and has since received many honors and accolades, including the honor of being the featured illustrator for the 2003 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. His books and characters have also been featured at the Boston Globe Book Festival, Hollywood Blockbuster Parade, and the White House Easter Egg Roll. Two of the children’s books he illustrated have been honored with Independent Publisher (IPPY) Awards. He had a major solo exhibition at The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware in 2005/2006. He is also included as one of the children’s book illustrators in an exhibition produced by Los Angeles’ Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance entitled “Every Picture Tells a Story,” described as “a celebration of diversity and tolerance as portrayed in illustrated children’s books”. From the Wiesenthal, the exhibition has travelled to the Bremen Museum in Atlanta, the Spertus Museum in Chicago, and the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.

Leonard’s work is in many private and public collections around the globe. His RIP SQUEAK® books have sold over 500,000 copies in six languages. In 2006, he became an artist member of the Society of Illustrators in New York City. He continues creating RIP SQUEAK® imagery and also works on other literary and fine art projects. His most recent series, the DRAGON SERIES, is a unique and whimsical further adventure into the world of fantasy art.

Leonard was born and raised in San Francisco and currently lives in Fresno, California’s Tower District.

You can find all Leonard’s work, fine art and illustration, at FilgateART.com

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