Excerpts from the speech given at the official presentation of Professor Joseph Grano's portrait to the Wayne State Law School in 2003: On behalf of my family I thank you all for coming to my father's portrait unveiling. . . I want to acknowledge Robert Maniscalco for the fine work he did in painting my father's portrait. Robert demonstrated such professionalism in this portrait. He captured the essence of dad without ever meeting him. He spent much time hearing stories, looking at picutres, and building the persona in his mind so that his portrait could radiate dad's character. . . This portrait will enlighten strudents and faculty to how important teaching was to him. It will also acquaint new students with the kind of professors Wayne Law desires. . . Finally, let me offer these words. As a current prospective law student whose traveled to many schools, I have not paid close attention to the portraits in the school's halls. However, after considering what my father's portrait says about the professors of Wayne, I realize the men and women whose portraits are hanging on the walls of a school are as much a part of the law school as the ones in the class rooms. In the next few months, I will consider schools' legacies by paying closer attention to the portraits in their halls.  Daniel Grano

I am thrilled and delighted with the portraits of my grandchildren and so is everyone who sees them, especially the children. Thank you for a job well done. Mae Gallagher

Dear Robert, Russell and I would like to thank you for the portrait you did of me. I know that I will never have anything like it ever again. It's very special to us and we so appreciate all of the hard works that you put into it. God Bless, Good Health, Jen Bartolotas

Every time I look at those portraits, I think of the genius you are. Peter and Elizabeth look just like they did then. The detail in Sarah’s is amazing. Beth Dixon

Dear Mr. Maniscalco: Please forgive this somewhat impersonal method of communication but I wanted to contact you quickly. I am John Diebel's brother and I just received your magnificent portrait of my son and me in our surgical attire. I was overcome by the fact that you capured so well the relationship. He was not only my son but also my colleague, confidant and best friend. We worked closely together in our medical practice for five years. I was truly blessed to have had this kind of a relationship with my son for the time that we had. Unfortunately, life takes some unexpected turns and his life was cut tragically short. Again, thank you so much for applying your gifts and talents to memorializing my son. Sincerely, N. Donald Diebel, Sr., MD

Rob, a formal 'thank you' for the fine job you did on my portrait. It was quite obvious that there were many, many other issues going on in my life at the time. I didn't fully appreciate the artistry of your efforts...not only in painting skills, but the ability to shed pounds as well! I have received numerous compliments. You know full well that it would not have come to fruition without the perseverance of E Ray and you. Robert O'Leary

Kay's beautiful portrait sure served a timely purpose! It's presence at her funeral was really special. I cannot tell you how much it means to me to walk by it in our hallway several times a day. Loving regards, Bill Ward

Thanks to Rob Maniscalco for sharing his artistic gift with us. We really love the portrait and can't wait for friends and family to see it. We know that it will remain in our family forever. It captures the essence of Ryan and CJ at a very special time in their lives and we are so very pleased with the detail and quality of the portrait. Rob Maniscalco is truly gifted and we are thankful that he lent his talent and professionalism to us. Jeanette Franck

It has been 13 years since you painted portraits of my daughter Rachel and through the years, my family and I have enjoyed the portraits immensely. Thank you very much for capturing this moment of great joy and happiness in our family. John Wong

Thank you for the wonderful painting that graces our hearth. Roman Madgidenko

Tonight I was visiting M.L. Leiber's website and he includes a link to your gallery. I thought I'd just stop by and take a glimpse. Hours later, it has been a great pleasure for me to view all of your portraits. The more of them I saw the more I could see the painter inside and outside which was a lot of fun. I don't know how often someone tells you how much they like your work and mean they really looked at it. Add me to the list. There were several portraits that just enchanted me and make me want to show them to someone else and say "Look at this, look how he posed this, look at the light, the hand, the draping of cloth, the child's doll -- " These are the portraits I'll come back to see.
     First, the utterly charming portrait of Betty Coffee and her dogs. Apparently she has invited me to pull my chair right up to hers and we're so comfortable, so much at ease. She has that way about her. If there's something I need, she'll find a way. She has no needs herself and prefers to give than to get. She's neither spoiled nor fragile, but self-contained and willing. The light coming in from behind her somehow illuminates her rather than putting her in its shadow. I know I must behave myself as the dogs are very protective of her and will only tolerate me as long as she tells them I'm okay. Lovely, lovely.
     Next, young Carlton Campbell perched in the fork of a tree far older than he, possibly older than all of us. His face, his body, his clothing are all spotless with the inexperience of youth while the tree has been so frequently punished by nature as to seem a battered survivor, which is what we must all hope one day to be. The contrast of his perfect white little shoe that has taken so few steps with the ragged bark is a compelling image. From his expression, Master Campbell does not need to be rescued from the tree. He plans to climb many more, and bigger, and let nothing stop him in the ascent.
     The O'Donnell girls have been captured in a split second since there is no time when they are still. The younger sister, pigtails flying, her little feet still baffled by the intricacies of walking, is nearly lost within her volumnous pink dress. She has no concern for such things, there is so much to see and do. Her older sister barely notices her, lost in her own play, her graceful arm extended as she reaches out for more, more, more of whatever this life may be. She is poised and ready, a thinker and a doer.
     Can anyone resist Will Harvey? So many questions, so curious, so ready to become whatever he chooses.
     I'll stop here but I want you to know how very much I enjoyed your work and I'll visit your site again for more of the same. R. Sue Dodea