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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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...
Mire of desire
Many of us believe artists are the mirrors of society. It is my intention that this collection of paintings, currently on the walls at Fabulon, gets us to look at the nature of desire. Here's my exhibition statement: This exhibition, "The Quench Project and the mire...
Portrait of Rocky
Rocky Lives! To celebrate Rocky's twelve years (and counting) on this Earth, Mary and Gren, his mom and dad, decided to have an oil portrait. Love, devotion, fondness don't begin to describe the feelings this animal has engendered from his family. I'm sure they would...
Start with the Idea
"Find the art in yourself, not yourself in the art." Constantin Stanislavski People often tell me they really want to be an artist and ask me what they should do to become successful. Most of them have stars in their eyes and are looking at me to feed their ego. "Do...
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
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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 rather like this portrait. ... 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.What a great opening night! I think we hit the mark. I'm in awe of the level of talent and dedication to message behind this show and its timeliness. We need to wake people up and turn on a light. ... 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.I don't like to politicize this page but I don't care for portraits being weaponized in this manner.  ... See MoreSee Less
Trump moves Obama, Bush portraits to hidden stairwell
www.yahoo.com
Once a dramatic feature of the White House entryway, the official portrait of former President Barack Obama has been moved to a decidedly less prominent position, underscoring the years-long tensions ...This was part of the recent NOAPS best in America show as well. ... See MoreSee Less
See the Light - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
Is the light in his eye placed there by God or is it merely a reflection of the light around him? What is this beautiful soul looking at?