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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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...
Still Lives Matter
I hope you'll pardon this tasteless, though possibly clever, pun as the title to this blog. I've created a lot of still lives over the years but I've always had an odd relationship to the genre. I believe if I am going to ask someone to stare at a painting of mine it...
Under a Bushel
I've always believed God has a way of bringing certain talents to light. Experience tells me that everyone has gifts, areas of exceptional insight, something many people refer to as "talent." Some know their purpose from an early age. My sister always wanted to be a...
Inside the Artist’s Studio
http://hkpowerstudio.com/inside-the-artist-studiorob-maniscalco/
Artfields 2016
I am very excited to have been selected as an exhibiting artist for Artfields 2016, with my painting of Louise Noel, part of The Quench Project. This competition is open to southern artists and is modeled after Artprize, held annually in Grand Rapids, MI. There are...
Paint it Forward
In the spirit of the "Pay it Forward" campaign made popular a few years back, "Paint it Forward" is a challenge to other artists to use their unique skill, vision and power to create work that addresses the important issues of our time. Art with a social conscience is...
Recovery versus Relief
An Excerpt from “Quench” part of The Quench Project Haiti is now in a recovery stage; the emergency relief aid has faded from the headlines as time has passed since the tragedy of 2010. Part of my intention in The Quench Project has been to keep our focus on the...
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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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What an amazing portrait! Bravo! ... See MoreSee Less
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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