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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Dr. Timothy West Portrait
Dr. Timothy E West, MD is an early pioneer in the field of Infectious Disease here in Charleston, SC. His portrait will hang at Roper Hospital and was presented to him on May 5, 2018 as a surprise by his wife and Lowcountry Infectious Disease, his practice over many...
Aggressive Art Marketing
I love being an artist. It is a privilege. In recent years, however, it has also become a luxury. In fact it has become a vanity. It used to be that vanity galleries, founded by the super rich as tax shelters, were the rare. Nowadays, vanity galleries and coops seem...
Jerry Zucker Portrait
36″ x 48″ Governor & CEO Hudson’s Bay Company SC Icon The portrait features Mr. Zucker in dynamic repose, expressing his energy and vitality. The light streams in from a window behind. In the bookcases to his right are binders, containing his over 300...
Trump is Smart
Much has been said about DJT’s intelligence, or lack thereof. I think we can concede he is a very smart man, as he so often feels compelled to remind us. But as some people are smart with numbers or in their musical ability, Trump is smart in his own unique way. DJT...
The Art of Empathy
My goal when I approach a portrait, either commissioned or non-commissioned, is to exercise empathy. My job is to relate to my subject, to feel what they feel, as I am expressing it in paint. The way I practice empathy in a realistic rendering is to be honest, without...
The Choice of Faith
We talk about having faith in ourselves, as in, "I have faith in myself." But what is that? What is this thing we call our self? We think of it as something encased inside our body. Many of us believe it actually is our body. We refer to this thing as "me." But our...
Alton Davis Portrait at Michigan Supreme Court
Excited to present this #oilportrait to Justice and Ms Alton Davis for the #MichiganSupremeCourt. The official presentation of the #portrait before the full court will be sometime next year, TBA. I wanted to capture some of the brilliance of the man using a more...
Spiritual Warfare
Today, on the way to the WCBD News 2 for an interview (below) to plug the closing night conversation around my exhibit, "The Quench Project and the Mire of Desire," my son asked me if I'd rather be famous or have a lot of money. My answer surprised me....
Capturing a Killer – Westof Magazine
Cover Story in Westof Magazine on August 2, 2017. more information about the event. more information about the Exhibit more information about The Quench Project see Courtroom sketches from the Dylann Roof Trial. ...
Preaching to the Choir
Congratulations! If you're reading this, that means you're a member of the choir. We are the choir But are we just going to stand there and sing pretty? We are not sheep! What are we willing to DO to bring about real change in the world we are sharing? Sure, art makes...
The Avant Garde vs Everyone Else?
In recent years, Charleston has discovered the Avant Garde. It is very liberating when this freedom of expression comes to a city. Charleston is lucky to have great people and institutions leading the movement. City Gallery and Redux come to mind right away. More and...
Beauty and the Beast
Our family rented the movie, Beauty and the Beast, last night. Cate and I find it very moving, in all its incarnations. I've never fully understood why this particular story has such power for me. Here's one attempt at an answer. The beauty represents our longing for...
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
Old Guy - Maniscalco Gallery ... See MoreSee Less
Old Guy - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
This old guy modeled for a workshop twenty years ago and I always wanted to paint him. So here he is. I enjoyed creating the sparkle of color in his flesh.What should you expect from a Legacy portrait? Hint: it's not a trick question. ... See MoreSee Less
The Real Deal - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
Having a portrait is a sacred trust for me. I have worked hard over my 45 year career so I can guarantee an excellent result.I love the diversity of expression out there in the artworld. Here's a little information about my painting style and philosophy. ... See MoreSee Less
Expressive Realism - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
I prefer this way of working because it preserves a certain level of artistic integrity, the "backbone" of the work. It is more interesting,I guarantee you'll love your portrait. I will make sure it is everything you've hoped it will be. That means we are working together for a common goal, which we will discuss fully before I paint a stroke. It's a delicate process I have honed over 45 years. ... 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.... See MoreSee Less