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 RM Theory
When I was a young turk at Andover High School, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, back in 1978, I was part of a band of brothers and sisters who happened to play music in the top rated HS orchestra and choir in the state. We were the nerds, the egg-heads, the sensitive...
My Higher Self
Today I am grateful for the gift of recognition. I have worked hard over my 38 year career and been richly rewarded in what may seem to the outside world a very storied career. While the stories have not always been pretty or pleasant, I am no less grateful to those...
Quench Miracles
For me to detail every miracle that has come out of The Quench Project would require I write another book. But I wanted to attempt to list the many ways God has blessed me and others throughout TQP and offer Him thanks and praise for being such a kind and generous...
Emperor’s New Clothes – Artfields 2016
Cate and I had such a wonderful Artfields experience this year, as we do every year. I think what makes it such a great experience are the people and the inviting atmosphere. And yes, the really cool art. Since I was asked by the organizers to present my feedback and...
Why Have Your Portrait Painted?
As part of my marketing plan, years ago, I was trying to really understand why people have their portraits painted. I was clear on why I did portraits but not so clear on what was in it for my clients. I decided to create this Feature/Benefits/Value Analysis to...
Quench Heading to Flint
The Quench Project is heading to Flint, MI for a special exhibition, coming together in response to their unprecedented tragedy. I will be one of several artists who will be contributing work to this important project. The work will range from political satire to...
Botanical Residency
I was delighted and honored to present an artist residency at Summerville Elementary. The four day workshop was the culmination of all five first-grade classes' study of plants. I love the challenge of taking what might be a boring subject and turning it into a...
Executive Sweet
I recently had the privilege of being in attendance as my portrait was presented at a very swanky event in Detroit. The Karmanos Cancer Institute honored their outgoing Chair with an oil portrait at their annual gala. It was well received, judging from the applause....
The Forgotten
I find it appalling that we have forgotten Haiti. It is astounding how quickly the child sexual abuse epidemic has fallen off our radar. It's horrendous that the Flint water crisis has already been brushed under the rug and forgotten. And there is a continuous flow of...
I See Blue
Watch a short film about the color blue: I've noticed some artists tend to favor a certain color. Taking a very wide view, I've even noticed certain cities tend to shy away from certain colors or favor others. It seemed every artist in New Orleans started with a...
Picture of a Memory
Memory Painting Recently, I was asked by a very dear friend to create a vivid memory painting for the 60th birthday of her brother. All the siblings chipped in to pay for this 16" x 20" oil painting, framed in Mahogany. It was made from a compilation of several...
Freedom from Identity
I've been living a double life for sometime, painting what moves, touches and inspires me, while dutifully holding on to the moniker of being a professional artist. Today, I am giving up the identity of being a professional artist. Ironically, it is also the day I'm...
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Nothing Celebrates the legacy of your children or your grandchildren for their grandchildren, like an oil portrait.
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Two paintings. One a commission portrait of Gedney Howe III. Another an exploration of "Unintended Consequences." Both part of "Identity and Self," an exhibition at Park Circle Gallery, open wed-Sat. Until April 25th! Disappointed my brand of realism is not in vogue at the moment. But I'm aware fashions come and go. I know my art will endure. What do you think? ... See MoreSee Less
A competent portrait of the former president.  ... See MoreSee Less
At a portrait unveiling at Syracuse University on April 14, 2026, Joe Biden jokingly called Board Chair Jeffrey Scruggs to the stage, asking the crowd, “Doesn’t he look like Barack?” Biden quipped that he often mistook Scruggs for Obama. While the audience laughed, some found the moment awkward. The event celebrated Biden’s legacy at his law school alma mater
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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.Behind the Scene 11x 14″ original #oilpainting on linen, framed by the artist. A behind the scenes look at the glorious #sunflower, the great back actor. This is a continuation of my micro series where we take a closer look at #Common objects found in #nature. this is an homage to the iconic Van Gogh #painting with the similar perspective of the underneath of a Sunflower. ... See MoreSee Less
Unintended Consequences 96″ x 30″ oil on panel
The Three Perspectives:
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EAGLE: Look at me. I know what I am doing. My glorious mission gives me certain rights. Certain allowances. My voice is louder than yours. But that’s not what makes me right. Yes, I am intentional. I know what I want. And I speak for millions. While you speak for no one. | But the thing that makes me right, is that I speak for God, because I know he is with me because I feel his presence and His righteousness in my blood. That’s what makes me right. | Look at me. I’m perfect. Determined. My team will always win. Why? Because God is on our side. And if my team doesn’t win the battle, we will win the war. | And if we don’t win the war it will be because we failed to listen to God OR the devil corrupted our intentions. Therefore we must destroy evil, wherever it appears. We will find it together and we will flush it out. | Trust that I am in control and that God is with me. If you fail to obey me, as God’s chosen vessel, you will surely parish. You cannot hide from my eye. You cannot resist my charisma. Fear me if you must. Love me if you’re willing. But obey me, for I am your only hope.
DOG: Look at me. Do you think I need help? You think I’m weak. But I’m not. Sometimes I feel so big and strong, even though I know I’m not very strong or smart. But one thing I do know, is that he is strong. My leash tender. I trust the strength of those who know. His certainty is my comfort. My leash tells me I am in good hands. My collar is my Shepard; I shall not want.
GIRL: Look at me. I am flying. I’m flying high above the fray. God is with me. Nature is with me. We are one. God will protect me because I trust Him. I know God is IN the Eagle and the dog. And I know I am part of a larger story. The journey I am on is longer than my life or the dog’s life, or the Eagle’s life. It began long before I was born and it will never end. I am safe in the knowledge that I will never die. So nothing can harm me. I am at peace. ... See MoreSee Less