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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My portrait unveiling at the Carol and Paul Schaap Center made Hour Detroit Magazine, along with my friends in Grosse Pointe Theatre. I still have to pinch myself that it happened.
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Schaap Center Grand Opening Gala
www.hourdetroit.com
The A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center's Grand Opening Gala took place on May 16 in Grosse Pointe Park.A couple Storks walk into a bar. The first one asks, "Where's that light coming from?" "Behind you. See the glimmer?" "No, I'm afraid of going blind." "Oh, that's an old wives tale." "But the president did it; it must be okay." "Maybe. All's I know is it's nice being in this Maniscalco painting." "Yeah, we really hit the big time, for sure." "And what's with the arrow in the foreground?" ... See MoreSee Less
Here's what flew into my easel recently. "Sacrificial Pelicans" is a new addition to my wildlife series. ... See MoreSee Less
Another great session at Peggy's with Mary. ... See MoreSee Less
Red Pump Skeleton - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
Red Pump Skeleton 12 x 16" oil on canvas panel From a life session at Peggy's. Mary again gets into character for us lucky few. Who needs another nude, right? But a nude with a skeleton peeking throug...Is realism dead? ... See MoreSee Less
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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.That's why I love portraiture. It's more about the love we have in our life than it is about art. ... 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.