Robert blogs on art, creativity, politics, CSA, religion and culture. Many overlap into multiple categories, like motivational or random favorites. Robert is a life-long artist, writer, musician & actor, a professional creative his entire adult life. Born in 1959 in Detroit, he has lived in New York, New Orleans and currently in Charleston. His commission portraits and fine art are part of over a thousand collections throughout North America. Read his bio.
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LOVE
This Valentines I’d like to take a moment to admire those who take seriously the idea of love, integrating love into our daily lives. Love is a verb. Love is pure potential. Love is the life force that makes all things possible. Love is more action than feeling or...
Cabaret at Footlight
Come to the Cabaret I am excited and looking forward to Footlight Theatre's production of Cabaret, which takes place in 1929 Germany, where people were split politically and grappling with the same issues we are facing right now. I see it as a cautionary tale. Then, a...
The Monetization of Hate
I believe there is an evil in the world, a dark presence that thrives on hate and fear. Call it the devil, call it ideology or conviction of the heart. But something is forcing us to fight each other. The Jews striking back at the Muslims, Trump blaming immigrants for...
The Long Lost Portrait
The Portrait of Maureen Snyder My artwork and portraits are like my children. I like to follow them as they move or stay with people forever. The portraits never age but they grow in meaning over time. My goal is to create works of art with staying power, works that...
Fame and Fortune
My PR person (me) should win an award. I have had more than my share of ink and media coverage over my 45 year career. It's not just an ego boost. It is necessary for my career to get my name out there, to remain relevant, even though I am actually a shy person...
A Brief History of American Racism
This cute little HS project I worked on with Mary a few years ago got me thinking about the foundational conflict of America, which ended tyranny by creating a viable democracy. But underneath this bright beginning brewed a dark underbelly of racism, xenophobia and...
The Epstein Affair
You want to know who IS still alive today? Epstein's victims. You say you want to really know the truth, find out what REALLY happened? Ask the survivors. Listen to them and actually believe them. Is that idea really so hard to swallow? The truth is not dead. But you...
Sociopathy
Sadly, it has become clear that sociopathy is far more common than we ever could imagine. I have found that people of low integrity feel very uncomfortable around those who try to practice compassion, fairness and morality, and who demand the same from their elected...
A Commission as Collaboration
We're Jamin' Once in a while a client allows me to do whatever I want. Of course, what I want is to please my client. I have found the best and only way to please the client is to please myself. But pleasing anyone, including myself, is a funny thing. The truth is...
Patterns of Force
Cherry Picking Fascism "Patterns of Force" is a classic STOS episode that feels very current. The premise is John Gill, a historian from the 23rd Century, decides to cherry pick the aspects of fascism that "worked well" for society and incorporate them into a utopian...
Expressive Realism
"Looks like a photograph" Many people tell me paintings look like a photograph. While I know this is meant as a compliment, I would like to make the case that my work as painter is far deeper than a mere photograph, with apologies to fine art photographers everywhere....
The Real Deal
What Should you Expect from a Legacy Portrait? Basically, you are looking for an excellent likeness that will capture and express the world of the sitter, both inside and out. You really want an excellent portrait of yourself, your family or the founder of your...
Father’s Day
Losing one's father is a sad moment in anyone's life, no doubt. But it is also a necessary and meaningful milestone. Even as we honor and acknowledge how much our fathers have done for us to make us the individuals we have become, we need to put in perspective the...
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
Son & daughter day is August 11. I will do your kid's portrait for 20% off my regular fee, if you reach out before midnight, on 8/11. Something to think about.
maniscalcogallery.com/about-having-a-maniscalco-portrait/ ... See MoreSee Less
"Middle River" is the result of a recent #vacation. One with #nature. ... See MoreSee Less
As bad as the first one was, to which he so vehemently objected, the second one is far worse. It's a very scary painting. It is based on his new official photo, which is frightening. THIS IS NOT a criticism of the artists's skills. He looks like a monster, right out of the 1950s. You had Frankenstein, Dracula, the Werewolf, now comes the Trump. The malevolence is astounding. I guess he thinks it makes him look powerful and intimidating. I think they accurately reflect the dark soul of the subject. ... See MoreSee Less
New Trump portrait donated by White House hangs in Colorado Capitol after earlier one drew his ire
apnews.com
Last spring, Trump posted on social media that Sarah Boardman “must have lost her talent as she got older” and “purposely distorted” him, criticisms the Colorado Springs artist denied.Thanks Sue Jaissle Williams for bringing this story to my attention. It's a double whammy. Of course, there's the portrait connection; she's quite an artist. But also, I've been dealing with mine and now my kids social anxiety for years. It's a real thing, exacerbated by COVID and the current political polarization.
I think the way Molly chose to deal with it is absolutely brilliant. I've always said, there's no stopping a person of reasonable intelligence and perspicacity, from achieving mental wellness. I particularly appreciate how Molly owned the problem, an essential first step to any healing process. ... 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.About Having a Maniscalco Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery ... See MoreSee Less
About Having a Maniscalco Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
When I think about the subject for a portrait I try to do is get a sense of how they move through space, their rhythm and energy.Check out my new video, "A Legacy Portrait" on my commission portrait page and just follow the floating head!
I explore legacy and the why of portraiture.
Have you ever seen an oil portrait that evoked a
memory, connection or feeling? ... See MoreSee Less
About Having a Maniscalco Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
When I think about the subject for a portrait I try to do is get a sense of how they move through space, their rhythm and energy.