Joe Romano
Joe began painting in the mid sixties while attending the Combs Conservatory Of Music in Philadelphia, PA. At that time he befriended the renowned artist and teacher, Benjamin Britt, whose studio was across the street from the Conservatory. Joe would spend several hours a week at Ben's studio watching him paint while working on his music studies. One day Ben handed Joe some paint and said that he should make a picture. Although he had no training, and felt intimidated because of Ben's mastery of art, at Ben's insistence he, "made a painting." From that moment, although music was his main creative outlet, painting became his other passion.
In 1974, while living in Los Angeles, he was invited to show some of his work at an exhibition of local artists, and was, "discovered" by a local gallery that wanted to exhibit his work. He continued to work in the music industry, as a composer for film, records, and theater. All of his spare time was devoted to painting. In 1989, an art dealer he met wanted to do a one-man show of his work for her private clients, many of who were in the entertainment business. Of the 30 pieces assembled for the show, 19 sold on the first day, and his recognition among serious collectors began to take off. Since then he has shown in many galleries and exhibitions, mostly in the Los Angeles area. In the mid 90's he met Dan Prince, one of the leading authorities on Outsider Art (art by self-taught artists). Dan's gallery in Santa Monica, CA was the premier gallery in the country for this kind of art and Joe sold many works through that gallery. Dan also composed a book called Passing In The Outsider Lane, where Joe was a featured artist. It was released in the late 90's and furthered Joe's reputation as a painter. Joe currently lives in Ashland, OR with his wife, playwright Lisa Loomer, and their son, Marcello. |
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