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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Down to the Wire Pool Party
The ideas and inspiration are coming to me from everywhere, even before I have made my mission trip to Haiti. Thanks again to all who have contributed! All the support is very heartwarming. We are over 2/3 to our goal with 5 days left. We are down to the wire; if we...
We have moved passed the half way point with only 13 days to go!
We are at 31 backers, and have $1,810 in pledges, more than half our goal for our Kickstarter Campaign. But we only have 13 days left. That means we have to work quickly if we want to see The Quench Project succeed. Remember if we don't make our goal of $3,500 by...
Water is a Right
Thanks for the recent pledges to my Kickstarter Campaign, "The Quench Project." We are getting closer to the halfway point. I don't dare get too optimistic that this project will proceed as planned, but I can't help getting excited by what we can accomplish when we...
Show me the Money
"Having read and watched your kickstarter Quench Project presentation a couple of times, I am yet unclear on the percentage of money going to "their" great cause, as opposed to "your" cause? And, what percentage of the sale of your work goes to "them"?" Thanks for...
Almost Half Way There
Silly me. I'm so new to this crowd funding concept that I only just discovered I can send updates to my backers. So here's the first update: For those of you who have supported this Kickstarter campaign, who have responded with even a small contribution, a piece of...
Thinking and Feeling
"Think on your palette, feel on your painting." rm This is a theme that comes up often in the lessons that I teach on painting and drawing. People often ask me how much of what we do as artists is feeling and how much is thinking. The simple answer is both. ...
Paint What You Know
"Paint what you know," is a common piece of advice to those entering any artistic discipline. That's why my first novel (The Fishfly) was semi-autobiographical. I write (and paint and act) about things I know. But I also write and paint and act about things I want...
Luke Immortal
Natalie Becknell was the lucky winner of our recent pet portrait raffle at Doolittle's. She was very excited to get this beautiful 9" x 12" oil portrait of her best friend Luke. Keep your eye out for future specials and freebies from Charleston's favorite portrait...
Recent Portraits Presented in Detroit
Here are a couple portraits presented in Detroit recently. The "big wig" on the left is now part of a series of graphite portraits of his predecessors, many created by my father over his long career of his predecessor. I'm not at liberty to reveal his identity until...
Democritization of Art
In response to my recent posting on FB of this Stella Adler quote and describing those who don't have something to contribute as fillers, a very wise, dear friend responded privately: "''Fillers?' Not true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, or kind. It takes courage to...
Collecting Fine Art
Do your research Emerging collectors should become informed by utilizing museums, galleries, auction houses, artists, fellow collectors, art books, magazines and websites to assist them in acquiring art. But you don't need a Master's degree in art history to be a...
Ghost Art
This past weekend we took a ghost tour on top of a hearse and stayed at "the most haunted" Bed & Breakfast in Savannah (17hundred90). Didn't see any ghosts so we went to the local museums and toured a couple homes. We spent a lovely afternoon at the Telfair...
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.