Born in Lawrence, MA and raised in San Jose, CA, Phil Bongiorno is a product of the late 60's early 70's Bay Area scene, in what he refers to as the "lost generation". Clean and Sober since the age of 20, with no formal art training, Phil remains pure, unfiltered, and honest in his demeanor and approach to his craft. This candor has brought him close to many in his personal and professional life. Still calling San Jose home, Phil refers to it as a great "base camp" to venture out from, particularly to his favorite local destinations of Big Sur and San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood.


In His Own Words
The purpose of my art is to try to be free flowing, allow whatever is moving me at that point and time to take over. Based on the flow and direction on the canvas, I just go from there and add textures, patterns, picking colors that call out to me the most. I try my best to disconnect from the clutter of daily life, and connect with root feelings at that moment, allowing my feelings to emerge and guide me. Many times my addictive personality kicks in and I go into what I call "paint overload," and just go nuts on a piece, other times I view a piece afterwards and it cries out to be manipulated in another way, then I generally oblige.

I do my best on a daily basis to connect with life on a street level, knowing in my heart I park my car most of the times on the wrong side of the tracks, and it keeps me in tune with where I was and where I could very easily be with a twist of fate. It also helps me to be in touch with Mother Nature, allowing her light to shine in.

I enjoy and embrace flaws, it’s what adds character and allows everyone to be unique. I am a dented can by nature. My goal with my art is to move a person, to take them from whatever place they are in and transport them, if even for a moment, from there. No one loves all my work, I am not looking for mass appeal, I am looking to stir a feeling, good or bad, just a feeling, a change in the course, a bump in the road they were traveling.

By stirring something up, even just a comment, my job is done! It is extra special when my work graces someone's walls, a true privilege!  Thanks for stopping by, please join me and keep up to date on my happenings by subscribing to the studio-bongiorno mailing list.




Phil Bongiorno

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