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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Online Painting Instruction
Online Painting Instruction and Virtual Learning Robert has created a series of live streaming videos available to rent or purchase. There is lots of free content, as well as paid, on subjects ranging from drawing what you see, releasing your creative genius to...
Learning Can Be Painful – Part One
Here is my response to a fascinating blog about my Alma Matter/professional acting school, Circle in the Square. Much of what we learned at Circle was about neutralization, where the goal is to find our neutral, so we might then add or take away any color, behavior,...
Learning Can Be Painful – Part Two
Is the Old School Effective? In Learning Can Be Painful - Part One, I didn’t get into my experiences in music school with my clarinet teacher. Nor did I delve into my experiences learning the craft of painting from my father. These, and many of the examples I describe...
A Virtual Art Opening
In these tricky times, it is often difficult to get out and enrich the soul. As so many creatives are doing now, Robert leads you on a virtual tour of his work, now on exhibition at Uncork Charleston. Rob's artist talks are always fascinating and filled with...
NETI Statement of (His Lack of) Purpose
I am that I am not. I am Neti. See NETI RUN (Remove Unnecessary Nonsense) "There is a war on beauty in the world. There is a war on intellectualism. There is a war on history where only the new is cool. But the only new thing is that which has not yet been experienced...
The Quench Project – Overview
MEDIA RELEASE 2-25-25 For more information please email Robert or contact him by phone at 843-486-3161. Here's the latest on The Quench Project I am now sponsoring two extraordinary individuals whom I met in Haiti, back in 2015 at the Bread Of life Orphanage in...
Heritage Lost and Found
Our Public and Private Dramas, Played Out Through Art Last week the White House moved the portraits of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush from a place of prominence. Taken alongside Mr. Trump's unwillingness to dedicate the official portraits of the Obamas, it seems...
The Artist’s Soul
The Battle for the Artist's Soul This Fran Lebowitz quote seems quite offensive today, where art has been so thoroughly democratized. I don’t subscribe to this perspective, of course. But there is a grain of truth in it. I would only add, for those interested in the...
The Angel Oak
The Process of Painting the Angel Oak This is my largest work on stretched linen canvas. The painting is 5' x 7.' Yes, that's right, I said FIVE feet! It was commissioned by our neighbor/friends Amy and Justin Couch, who needed a large piece as a focal point with...
Shall We Overcome?
Replacing Hate with Love People upset by the removal of Confederate or racist statues like John C. Calhoun think of it as an effort to alter history. As an artist, I take very seriously the removal of artwork which might be aesthetically beautiful, or be a familiar...
Portrait of Bill Brusilow
Portraits don't always have to take themselves too seriously Everyone knows I love portraiture, that I love to study the human form and look deeply into my subjects. The process is compelling and there is no end to the what there is to learn about the subject. I have...
Life in the Corona
Corona, noun. A part of the body resembling or likened to a crown. I've railed about white privilege in the past but now the issue may actually be resonating among those of us who have been enjoying it the most. I’m well aware of the bias of mine and my fellow whites....
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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?
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Check out my pet portrait July special: Get an oil portrait of your pet through the month of July for a special price!
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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!
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