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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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...
Media Release – May 25, 2017
Updated 7-3-17 Contact: Susan Irish (843) 566-3383 or Robert Maniscalco (313) 689-2993 for more information The Quench Project and the Mire of Desire at FABulon Charleston, SC. Robert Maniscalco will present new paintings from The Quench Project and recent sketches...
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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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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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