charcoal on paper; 24.5×18.5” (F)

“This is the portrait of a homeless old man. He is homeless…, but he is not a human derelict. Look at his eyes, full of intelligence; look at his little smile, mocking the world that passes him by without a moment’s notice, thinking him a nobody, an anonymous “Homeless”. He’s got our number; he has seen the world, and what he has seen has wisen him. His face reflects that wisdom, and that, with his penetrating eyes, and his mocking but gentle smile, made me want to draw him.”

ARTIST BIO: Michael Romanos, an architect by training, has devoted more of his time to his woodworking and art since he retired from his UC/DAAP professorship a few years ago. A native of Greece, he has lived, explored, worked, photographed and painted in many parts of the world including Europe, South America and South and Southeast Asia.