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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Drawing from Memory
“I think it is all a matter of love; the more you love a memory the stronger and stranger it becomes” ― Vladimir Nabokov I've always thought there were basically two approaches to making art. There are those of us who derive inspiration from direct observation and...
Ownership and Copyright of Art
Image ownership has become more and more blurred with Instagram and other social media "re-purposing" original images. I recently read a great article with an update on this fascinating and important subject, especially for artists. I wrote extensively about...
Practice
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. People who know, who have achieved anything close to mastery in any discipline will repeat the practice mantra until they're blue in the face. "Practice, not talent, is the key to success," they will...
Quench Project – Great Things!
I am happy to report I just sold my first Quench Project painting, called “Out of the Darkness” to a wonderful collector in Nashville, Tennessee. I have 5 more available and am working hard on getting them seen and bringing awareness to the needs in Haiti. I have...
Leaves Through the Trees
When an artist paints a tree or a flower, we are not painting individual leaves or pedals, floating aimlessly in the universe of our painting. They are attached; they are connected to something larger. They are dependent on the tree or the flower, that is planted in...
Imagination and Religion
I read with great interest of Jimmy Carter's decision to "Lose his Religion." Frankly, I agree that losing one's religion is the first step to true spiritual freedom. Religion is primarily an invention of men to control others. As a positive organizing force it has...
Art with A Social Conscience
If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. JFK Some believe art's sole purpose is to decorate. Others believe art is a conversation with one's self that is really a...
Forgiveness
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:22 Forgiveness often seems so impossible; vengeance so much easier. Even easier is acceptance. Acquiescence, easier still. I've...
This One – Little Girl in Queen Anne’s Lace
This One - Little Girl in Queen Anne's Lace (22x28"), oil on linen, is my most recent commission. This portrait of Charlotte completes her family's series of four portraits, capturing each child at about two and a half years old. This was created using several family...
Quench Project Artist Talk
PRESS RELEASE February 23, 2015 The Quench Project Artist Talk with Robert Maniscalco Where: Gage Hall - Unitarian Church in Charleston, 4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401 When: Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 10:00 am More info soon at Unitarian Church Website or call...
Joe Maniscalco Retrospective at The Scarab Club of Detroit
PRESS RELEASE The Maniscalco Legacy - Joseph Maniscalco Retrospective Exhibition Dates: Friday, April 3rd through Saturday, May 16th, 2015 Where: Scarab Club 217 Farnsworth, Detroit MI 48202 Reception: Friday, April 3rd 5-8 pm Gallery Talk: 6:30 pm on April 3rd....
The Only is Now
Time is nothing more than a way to describe our complex mind's ability to conceive and experience memories from the past and project ideas of a possible future in the present. Time is not a thing and doesn't exist, in and of itself. Our linear perception of time...
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
As bad as the first one was, to which he so vehemently objected, the second one is far worse. It's a very scary painting. It is based on his new official photo, which is frightening. THIS IS NOT a criticism of the artists's skills. He looks like a monster, right out of the 1950s. You had Frankenstein, Dracula, the Werewolf, now comes the Trump. The malevolence is astounding. I guess he thinks it makes him look powerful and intimidating. I think they accurately reflect the dark soul of the subject. ... See MoreSee Less
New Trump portrait donated by White House hangs in Colorado Capitol after earlier one drew his ire
apnews.com
Last spring, Trump posted on social media that Sarah Boardman “must have lost her talent as she got older” and “purposely distorted” him, criticisms the Colorado Springs artist denied.Thanks Sue Jaissle Williams for bringing this story to my attention. It's a double whammy. Of course, there's the portrait connection; she's quite an artist. But also, I've been dealing with mine and now my kids social anxiety for years. It's a real thing, exacerbated by COVID and the current political polarization.
I think the way Molly chose to deal with it is absolutely brilliant. I've always said, there's no stopping a person of reasonable intelligence and perspicacity, from achieving mental wellness. I particularly appreciate how Molly owned the problem, an essential first step to any healing process. ... 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.About Having a Maniscalco Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery ... See MoreSee Less
About Having a Maniscalco Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
When I think about the subject for a portrait I try to do is get a sense of how they move through space, their rhythm and energy.Check out my new video, "A Legacy Portrait" on my commission portrait page and just follow the floating head!
I explore legacy and the why of portraiture.
Have you ever seen an oil portrait that evoked a
memory, connection or feeling? ... See MoreSee Less
About Having a Maniscalco Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
When I think about the subject for a portrait I try to do is get a sense of how they move through space, their rhythm and energy.ICYMI, I am extending this Family Portrait offer to the end of June! Check it out!
#portraitpainting #portraitartist #portrait #portraitart #oilportraitpainting #selfportraiture #selfpower #proudfamily #familypride #Celebratethelight #CaptureTheMoment
maniscalcogallery.com/family-portrait-offer/ ... See MoreSee Less
There are people who understand the collaborative process and actually enjoy jamming and building an idea with an artist they respect.
Here I invite you to read my thoughts about the commission process.
#commission #commissionart #commissionartist #customart #artondemand #MakingArtMagic #MakingArtWork #commissionportrait
#portraitpainting #portraitartist #portrait #portraitart #oilportraitpainting #selfportraiture #selfpower #proudfamily #familypride #Celebratethelight #CaptureTheMoment ... See MoreSee Less
A Commission as Collaboration - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
There are people who understand the collaborative process and actually enjoy jamming and building an idea with an artist they respect.