Art Instruction Blog
The Vernissage of The Real Princess Kate Portrait
The Real Princess Kate Portrait Last evening we had the much anticipated Vernissage of Cate's portrait "The Real Princess Kate," surrounded by dear friends. Now it is time to share it with the world. Click to see the finished portrait (She's in the center) The...
Surviving Spirit
When I hear the voices, real or imagined, clambering around me, of those who wish for me to fail, seeming hell bent on undermining my bliss, I have finally learned to laugh. Sure, I know my videos may be seen as silly, I know NETI is just a glimmer of the creative...
Is Art Cool?
Following is an excerpt from one of the Chapters in my book, Point of Art. I’m not a cool person. They can dress me up to look cool. I’ve played cool on TV. But I’m really not cool. That’s ok, I’m cool with it. On the other hand, with all this talk about “cool cities”...
Those Who Teach, Stand the Most to Learn.
"I know no more sacred duty than to rear and educate a child." Ludwig van Beethoven. If you want to learn something, really learn it, try teaching it. Often, in my classes, I ask other students to explain a concept with which they themselves are struggling. Putting...
Negative People
I wonder about all these "negative" people my friends talk about from whom they always seem to be running. Who are they? I have a hunch that sometimes these "negative" people, or non-people, may really be those who don't happen to tow our line; the ones who may not...
Painting the Finish
“No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition.” Claude Monet. This conundrum is found in all disciplines. I equate the creative process to riding a horse. You want to ride the trail and...
My New Play
Colorful characters, along with clever twists and turns of circumstance are lots of fun on stage but without ideas, it's just another sitcom. rm As I work on my play I am struck by the challenges of balancing theme and plot. The deadliest mistake an artist can make is...
Ego Triggers
"It is a singular sensation to see and hear one's self praised, and then to be conscious of one's own imperfections as I am. I always regard such occasions as admonitions to get nearer the unattainable goal set for us by art and nature, hard as it may be." Ludwig...
Clearing a Path for Creativity
For many years I thought being positive was a process of denying my fears and resentments, the main obstacles for a creative flow, and replacing them with love and acceptance. The Law of Attraction is great stuff but I have found until I was first able to face my...
The Role of the Master
In life we take turns being the master or the apprentice. Often we are both at once. These distinctions are always by mutual agreement. It is through these relationships that we grow. Some master/apprentice arrangements are healthy. Some are not. When the ego...




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Remembering 20x 20″ oil on gallery wrapped canvas – currently on exhibit at @artattheedge Rivers Edge Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. See it in person!
An #oldbutgold #farmer / #hunter pauses to remember the days when everything made sense, if there ever was such a time. We get lost in the memories, which have depended and become something somehow better than how we remembered them. Something not typical for me, I am painting overcast conditions, not a direct, dramatic source of light. Ambient lighting is an opportunity to focus on local color, which I enjoyed very much. Perfect for the #collector's reading room or man cave or for those who revere old age and the worn crusty face of country wisdom. ... See MoreSee Less
“Emergence” is a painting about what happens when you finally stop hovering at the edge of your own life and step all the way in. In the piece, the figure is submerged in water, with the outside world slipping softly out of focus. There’s no safe distance here—only the quiet courage of surrender. The boundaries between self and environment begin to blur, inviting you to feel rather than analyze, to inhabit the moment rather than stand outside it.
This work is for the person who is done skimming the surface—someone who has felt the cost of distraction and now longs to be fully present with what matters: their relationships, their calling, their healing, their creativity. Hung in a space where you read, reflect, or simply breathe, “Immersion” becomes a visual nudge back to your own depth: a reminder that life doesn’t happen at the shoreline. It happens when you let yourself go under.
It will be part of my exhibition, "Identity and Self" at Park Circle Gallery opening April 3, 5-7 pm, running through April. ... See MoreSee Less
A special invite and great GIVEAWAY! The seventh person to PM me their email address will win a beautiful Lmt. Ed. Giclee. AND get your discount on all things ManiscalcoGallery.com.
Exhibition Opening April 3, 5-7pm
Park Circle Gallery - Through April ... See MoreSee Less
“Weathered Wisdom” is a portrait of a man that has earned every line.
In warm earth tones and expressive brushwork, this painting captures an elderly man whose gaze carries decades of work, loss, laughter, and quiet resilience. The textures of his beard, the worn brim of his hat, and the deep-set eyes invite the viewer to imagine the life behind them.
Ideal for a #collector who value #character, heritage, and #authenticity, this piece brings a grounded, #human presence into any room—like having an old friend or a trusted elder watching over the space. ... See MoreSee Less
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NETI wants to tell you about my new painting ... See MoreSee Less
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