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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ForEVAN Young
They say a portrait may be your best shot at immortality. At least, we know a portrait will likely outlive us. But the oil portrait is also an opportunity to recapture our youth, while we're alive to appreciate it. At least that's the case with Evan, who finally...
Authoritarianism vs Democracy
How about a little perspective? We are not in the midst of a battle between Conservatism and Democratic Socialism. We are in a battle between authoritarianism and democracy. What makes other western democracies work so well is they have struck a healthy balance...
Evil is a Force
Why do otherwise normal people support evil ideas, like racism, without even realizing it is racism? Because evil is always girded in righteousness. The feeling of being right is so intoxicating. It triggers our ego and makes us feel invincible. It ruins marriages and...
Hired Gun
Many know me mostly for my commission portraits. Does that make me a hired gun? Before I dig into that, here's a gentle reminder that I am free to paint whatever strikes my fancy, including commission portraits! Nonetheless, I invite you to take a short journey of my...
And the winner is . . . Dylann Roof!
Roof 1-10-17 Roof Delivers His Closing Statement for Sentencing Congratulations Dylann! Here's what you've won: A fabulous front row seat in hell as your Manifesto now comes to fruition, along with the satisfaction of having projected your twisted vision into the...
Are We Dead?
Ever notice it’s always the other people who are dead inside? They are always the sheep, blithely following. Never us. The thought occurred to me that maybe we are them. It's a theme I've been exploring, mostly because of the ever growing political divides, plaguing...
Selling ART in ALT Spaces
I'm not a big fan of showing art in alternative spaces, such as restaurants or bars. The main reason is that there rarely is a staff focused/trained on/in selling art. It is usually an after thought. They are there to sell food and/or drinks. But sometimes, rarely, it...
Time Space and VJD
Young Angel tries to reach across time to reassure her older self that she is whole and complete. If visual art is a response to space and music a response to time, then theatre and film are a response to time and space. My goal with #VincentJohnDoe was to respond to...
VJD Stills Are Amazing
I am so happy for Elliot Freidman, who filmed the show on Saturday and Sunday performances. He used high def 4K technology and we are working on a beautiful film version of the production, cut together from both days of shooting. To give you a small hint of the...
VJD Production Paintings
Wrapping up our 2019 PS production of #VincentJohnDoe. Thanks to Brooke Mogy Watkins, Brad Tarr, Susie Hallatt, Cate Maniscalco, Lorilyn K Harper, Fred Hutter, Kevin Cooper Ray, Anthony Parenti, David Hallett, Mary Maniscalco James Maniscalco, Danny Maniscalco,...
Vincent Has Arrived
Vincent For those of you who kinda want to “experience” theatre or art or music, maybe just "catch the video clips," just keep ”swiping.” If you’d like to truly immerse yourself in the creation of all three, live and breathe in the experience of Vincent, I hope you...
Mary’s Bat Mitzfah Blessing
My sweet little Mary’s growing up. Today's Torah selection is all about love. Holy love. How appropriate that it’s the day of your Bat Mitzfah! A Father's Blessing It’s easy to love the lovable. Cool people, no problem. Friendly, kind people: ditto. People who love us...
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My portrait of Miss Susie Jackson, along with "The Tan Suit," will be part of the upcoming MOJA exhibition at Charleston City Gallery, part of the city-wide MOJA Festival. ...
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Thank you Tom for your insight and perspective on the age old debate on nudity. Apparently, even male nudity from the waste up is a thing. I think ageism may have also been a factor - no one wants to see my sagging carcass. I'm proud I won, but I've been around long enough to know it could have easily been a bust - just not my bust. "Reflections" goes to Cincinnati next for a national show. I'm proud of the high quality this show is attracting, raising the artistic standards, if not the moral standards, of our region. This was my second 'best of' in as many years of the Lowcountry FA Showcase. Now, the question dangles tantalizingly over the horizon: should I go for three next year? Or quit while I'm ahead (but not a semi nude body!)? ...
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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.I am excited to announce my painting, "Gratitude" has been juried into the Fall 2026 Open Juried Exhibition of the Portrait Society of Atlanta! The exhibition will take place at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville, Georgia from October 3 to December 5, 2026. If you're in the Atlanta area definitely come check out the show! This painting will be available for purchase during the exhibition.
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#portraitsocietyofatlanta #painting #portraitpainting ...
Call Now
You are invited to an exhibition of my work and a lively Portrait Demonstration
PORTRAIT DEMONSTRATION
SEPTEMBER 15, @ 11:00 AM
at IOP REC CENTER, 24 28th Ave,
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
info: 843.886.8294
The exhibition will run from August 31 - September 19 ...
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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.Still wet on the easel, The Tan Suit has great significance, not only because Obama infamously wore one as President . . . Remember when this was such a terrible transgression? But making billions on buisness deals as President is okay? But I digress. This painting is from a pic I took in 2010 in front of Mother Emanuel Church, in a simpler time.
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