Portrait Artist Statement
BEING A PORTRAIT ARTIST
My goal as a portrait painter is first that of an artist. I am committed to creating paintings that will stand the test of time as compelling works of art, alive with the personality of both artist and subject. They have intrinsic value as works of art.
I think of my work as a celebration and affirmation of life.
Each portrait is an adventure, exploring the unique character and personal strengths of my sitters. A love of people and a deep interest in the human experience is key to my work. It’s not about how you look, it’s about who you are. My training as a painter, actor and musician have all increased my interest in capturing this quintessential dynamic with authority, authenticity and compassion.
Over the years I’ve come to appreciate the transubstantiation of image-to-feeling inherent in a great oil-on-canvas portrait. Nothing else has the power to capture the personality and character of the subject for the ages. Being a portrait artist is about exploring the lyricism of character and dynamics of personality within the painted surface. More than a photograph made to look like a painting, my portraits are the real thing. They are brimming with life. I can’t tell you how many times people have told me it feels as though my subjects could walk right out of the painted surface.
My larger goal as an artist is to explore the full range of my medium, which is light. I have developed several bodies of work exploring a variety of structures and subjects, but the poetry of light on form keeps coming back into my work. Light is the force that reveals the subtleties of nature, particularly the human condition. My work is all about what it is to be human and expresses our journey toward the light. Another theme which runs through all my work is something I call surTHRIVal. We are all on a journey of survival, to make the best of what we are given. My larger purpose as an artist is to find and celebrate the many creative ways humans find to overcome and grow as a result of this journey.

Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
There are many reasons people ask me to paint a portrait. Here are just a few thoughts.
maniscalcogallery.com/about-having-a-maniscalco-portrait/
#exhibition #creator #portraitart #artistic #oilportraiture #oilpainter #artgallery #LegacyBuilding #LegacyOfLove Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition Charleston Artist Guild & CAG Gallery FOX 24 Charleston Cheryle Kahl Portrait Society of America Hibernian Hall Charleston Style & Design Magazine Will Juntunen #artforsale ... See MoreSee Less
Even in the rain, we persevere. What people don't realize, inside our tents it's cozy and warm, even in a downpour. It's a great time to get intimate with the work. We're all open, rain or shine. So don't let a little rain upend your plans. This is the stuff they talk about in singles ads. "I want to feel the rain on my face." Well here's your chance! ... See MoreSee Less
Mini portraits of stuff in my backyard. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Here's the latest, maybe the greatest (I always think what I'm working on right now is going to be my greatest).
See it all in person at the 2025 #PSOAE May 23 to June 8. 10-5. I will be there every day, corner of Meeting and Calhoun.
#artcollector #farmer# #hardworking #AmericanDream #AmericanValues #workhardplayhard #barnlife #oldbarn #Artist #artoftheday #artfair #exhibition #artgallery #buyart #homedecor #artforsale #creative #creator ... See MoreSee Less
Barn at Dusk - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
There is something lonely, yet reassuring about a barn standing strong in a field, this one freshly tilled. They are shrines to hard work.I love Pete. Him and AOC, the dream team to end this madness and start over. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Hope you can come out and see me and the other artists this time round. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.