WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsPortraits of the homeless

Portraits of the homeless

by Meg Bonacorsi

WAUSAU (WAOW) -- When people hear the phrase "homeless population" many think of big cities.

So you may be surprised to find out that Marathon County alone has over a thousand people living without roofs over their head.

A Wisconsin artist, who recently opened a gallery in Wausau, is trying to change that.

David Anthony Hummer grew up painting and drawing a variety subjects, until one moment changed his life and his work forever.

He says, "You're always questioning, what is my purpose, what am I painting, why am I painting it?"

That purpose hit Hummer instantly when he walked out of a prestigious art gallery in Manhattan and saw a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk in the rain, un-noticed.

Hummer says, "It's one of these problems that it's out of sight, out of mind and unless people are constantly reminded that it exists, they think it just goes away."

That's why Hummer began drawing and painting portraits of the homeless fifteen years ago - to raise awareness.  And now he's raising more than that.  Hummer has decided to donate half of the money he makes off these works of art, which start at $5,000, to Randlin Homes.

It's a local non-profit that houses and rehabilitates the homeless, veterans in particular. It goes without saying that the organizations co-founders are beyond grateful, but so are the their tenants.

Co-founder Ralph Schlitz says, "They're just blown away that somebody would be willing to do this for them because so many people have just walked by and left them."

Although his downtown gallery features a variety of artists, tucked in the back room, you'll find Hummer's true passion in the lines of these faces. He hopes people realize that the homeless are human beings, who for whatever reason, have often developed addictions or mental disorders.

Hummer says, "A lot of the homeless people here in Wausau are veterans, they served our country.. A lot of these people are incredibly intelligent and hold degrees."

Hummer's next project is something he refers to as "portraits of hope."

He wants to start drawing and painting the people who have successfully completed the program at Randlin Homes.

Hummer plans on having the art purchased through donations and then hung on the walls at Randlin.

The vast majority of proceeds will go to the non-profit.

For more information you can visit:

http://www.davidanthonyhummer.com/

http://www.randlinhomes.org/

Online Reporter: Meg Bonacorsi