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.
BLOG CATEGORIES
ALL BLOGS
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...
Why Ask Why?
"Why Ask Why?" is perhaps a better question than, "To be or not to be?" I wrote a blog last month about my idea of why Nick, a beautiful young man with cerebral palsy, decided to purchase my painting, called Cassandra. You can read my story here, if you like, but the...
Identity and Self – an Exhibition
This touring exhibition, called "Identity and Self" is available for your museum or arts venue - contact Robert for 2026-27 schedule "Identity and Self" - An Exhibition Description "Identity and Self" exhibited at the Park Circle Gallery in April 2026 and...
The Great Reset
Whatever redeeming qualities Republicans of the past had, such as conservative values, fiscal restraint, etc., have been reset by the new Republicanism, otherwise known as Trumpism. The current MAGA/GOP will have to be completely remade after this dalliance with...
Nick and Cassandra
It was just another day of the indentured servitude at the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition, warm but not as bad as it can get. Trapped like rats for seventeen days in a row, out in the elements, selling our wares. I guess God thought I needed a reminder of just...
Mass Suicide or Great Awakening
As fascism descends up us, is it possible for us to get used to an all or nothing existence, an artless, meaningless world where people are systematically categorized and other-ized by a single man, our great leader, Donald Trump, where we are forced to devolve into...
The Schaap Center
Last night at the Grand Opening Gala of the Schaap center for the arts in Grosse Pointe, I was extremely proud and humbled to unveil my portrait of Carol and Paul Schaap. Thanks to Theresa Curis Selvaggio for the lovely introduction and helping to make the portrait a...
Press Release for Identity and Self
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2026 "Now, that's Art to Believe" rm Contact: Robert Maniscalco, artist/author robert@maniscalcogallery.com mobile: 313-689-2993 click on text for links ↓ Robert's Exhibition "Identity and Self" is available for touring at art...
Portrait of Gedney Howe III
In Charleston, the name Gedney M. Howe is legendary three times over. I am so fortunate to have been able to share some beautiful moments with such amazing people and those who love them. I am extremely honored to have created legacies for such amazing people. Gedney...
Dennis Drew Portrait
Portrait of a Hero As a Portrait Painter I am always interested in getting deeper into the mind and heart of my subjects. Charlestonian, Dennis Drew came to me originally looking for a portrait to celebrate his life and legacy. Many around him felt a portrait was an...
Learning to Paint
“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never...
The Archeology of My Art
I think of my paintings as a piece of archeology, not a snapshot in time, or another scrolling image. I don't mean to artsplain, but a physical painting (not the image of the painting) literally contains the millions of choices made by an artist, in this case mine,...
Empathy is the Truth of the Matter
I remember moving to Andover high school in my sophomore year, on the other side of town. I found myself sitting alone every day at the cafeteria table during lunch. I had enjoyed a certain popularity in my previous school. At least I was well known by my friends, who...
Would you like to get inspiration in your inbox, rather than ads for more stuff? Welcome to ManiscalcoGallery.com
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
Thanks to Jeanette of Art & Faith Galleria for finding my portrait of Mother Teresa a good home. If you are in Royal Oak, MI, make it a point to stop in and see the amazing artwork, as well as Jeanette's unique and magnificent collection of icons and rosaries. The work at A&FG is not always overtly religious, but it is always awe-inspiring, reminding us that God is everywhere and in all things. I think this is a time where we are seeking a deeper meaning.
My portrait of Mother Teresa joins my Pope Leo portrait as my most recent art sales. I think God is trying to tell us something. What do you think?
maniscalcogallery.com/product/mother-teresa/ ... See MoreSee Less
... See MoreSee Less
Check out my pet portrait July special: Get an oil portrait of your pet through the month of July for a special price!
maniscalcogallery.com/product/an-oil-portrait-of-your-dog-or-cat/ ... See MoreSee Less
What an amazing portrait! Bravo! ... See MoreSee Less
Barack and I were so honored to have @NjidekaAkunyiliCrosby create our portrait for the Obama Presidential Center. Her artistic brilliance shines through — and the way she infused such life and joy into the piece is truly extraordinary. We love it, and we think everyone who visits the Center will too!
www.instagram.com
... See MoreSee Less
Tell me about your Maniscalco portrait, past or future. #oilportrait #oilpainting #portraitart ... See MoreSee Less