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.

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I’ve been meaning to #paint this #portrait for some time. “The #Longshoreman”is my latest #oilpainting  and is a #deep #exploration of #character. 

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#art #artcollector  #artist #artistsoninstagram #charlestonartist #charleston #lowcountry #portraiture #sc

I’ve been meaning to #paint this #portrait for some time. “The #Longshoreman”is my latest #oilpainting and is a #deep #exploration of #character.

maniscalcogallery.com/product/the-longshoreman/

#art #artcollector #artist #artistsoninstagram #charlestonartist #charleston #lowcountry #portraiture #sc
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Heres another new #oilpainting. I wanted to explore the #color and #depth of painting #underwater. Breathing was the main issue. (budum-chink) But seriously, I enjoyed #painting the effects of the #breeze, as it rippled on the surface of the #coy #pond. Cut/paste the link into your browser and comment on my #website. Heres good also. Your feedback helps guide me as to which #subjects #resonate. 🥰https://maniscalcogallery.com/product/coy/

Here's another#oilpaintingnting. I wanted to explore#colorcolor#depthdepth of pain#underwaterwater. Breathing was the main issue. (budum-chink) But seriously, I enj#paintingnting the effects of#breezereeze, as it rippled on the surface of#coy #pond#pond. Cut/paste the link into your browser and comment o#websitebsite. Here's good also. Your feedback helps guide me as#subjects #resonate #resonate. 🥰https://maniscalcogallery.com/product/coy/ ... See MoreSee Less

4 weeks ago
Portrait Artist Robert Maniscalco
This #paintings been percolating for a while. Please enjoy, Perhaps #Love. I went full out #romance with this one but I made up for it with my introsoective #commentary. Please leave your #review on the #link, if you would, mates. #Charleston #sc #art #artist #artoninstagram #artcollector #poeticart #beauty #prettywoman #waitingforlove #perfectlove https://maniscalcogallery.com/product/perhaps-love/

Just won First Place in oil at the Berkley Artist guild annual show.

This #painting's been percolating for a while. Please enjoy, "Perhaps #Love." I went full out #romance with this one but I made up for it with my introsoective #commentary. Please leave your #review on the #link, if you would, mates. #Charleston #sc #art #artist #artoninstagram #artcollector #poeticart #beauty #prettywoman #waitingforlove #perfectlove maniscalcogallery.com/product/perhaps-love/

Just won First Place in oil at the Berkley Artist guild annual show.
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