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 Secret to Happiness, from Haiti with Love
From the upcoming Quench - reflections on God, art, water and equality by Robert Maniscalco Pastor Medit Sanon runs the Bread of Life Missionary Orphanage, in Jacmel, Haiti. Julio and I are welcomed with warm embrace. No doubt, a hug is the best way to begin any great...
The Pollyanna Principle
I've been singing, acting, writing and painting for many years, thinking I was bringing something to these disciplines, something valuable, something of beauty. It is humbling, to say the least, when we inevitably encounter those moments which awaken us from the...
The Faceless Hordes
This is an excerpt from Quench, available soon! Through The Quench Project I simply want to give a face to the faceless hordes. When seen as a wash of humanity it is easy to lose sight of the individuals comprising the whole. My goal in coming here was not to document...
Equestrian Challenge
Last week I did an artist-in-residence at the Anndell Inn, in Freshfields on Kiawah Island, as part of the Charleston Summer Classic Equestrian Festival. The residency was sponsored by the Mary Martin Gallery, who has a magnificent satellite gallery at Anndell Inn. It...
ADDENDUM to My Christian Testimony
The point, for me, in writing and sharing my testimony, was to outline my discovery process, to reveal the journey that culminated in my becoming a Christian. It was not intended to negate the first 52 years of my life. It was simply to point out my need, indeed all...
My Christian Testimony
My mom left home when I was 9 months old. At age 10 my neighbors took me to a well-known televangelist, where, weeping, I experienced salvation. A couple years later my brother got “saved” and invited me to become active in the local Pentecostal church, The Christ...
Mind Predators
This meme has been widely circulated on Social Media lately. It is an excellent example of how certain elements of our society are combining facts, half-truths and double-speak to take control of a poorly educated populace, not trained to think critically. A friend...
Lost in Place – the Polarization of the Art Biz
I've been in the art business for over 35 years. And to say it has had its ups and downs might be a bit of an understatement. But nothing could have prepared me for the last ten years. As the middle class has been shrinking dramatically, so have opportunities for...
Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Charleston and Racism
What Haiti and the Events of Last Night in Charleston have Taught Me About Racism Following is an excerpt from my upcoming book, called "Quench." This is from a conversation I had with the children at the Bread of Life Orphanage in Haiti. The little ones were...
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...
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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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