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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Quench Project is Moving Forward
Again, a huge thank you to those of you who contributed to The Quench Project. Here's our video thank you. The project is getting bigger all the time. The big news, I am going to Haiti from November 3-12! While there, I am going to be working with a school in Port...
The Quench Project Gets Funding
Renown Charleston artist, Robert Maniscalco, has received funding to create an exhibition of paintings, expressing hope and renewal from a Vision Trip to Haiti, in partnership with Water Missions International. The first phase of The Quench Project is now complete....
Ego and Identity
We Place so much stock in our identities. Here are just a few of the millions of examples: "I am an artist," "I am a loving person," "I am a Christian," "I am an American," "I am gay," "I am a supporter of the sanctity of marriage," "I am a bad-ass." In...
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...
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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:
@
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
"My Backyard" are part of "Identity and Self" #exhibition at @parkcirclegallery through April 25. Lemme know if and when you'd like to meet me there for a #privatetour, Wednesday-Saturday. #artist #charlestonartist ... See MoreSee Less
In Charleston, the name Gedney Howe is legendary three times over.
My #oilportrait of Gedney @lawofficesofgedneyhowe Howe III in his office. I am so fortunate and honored to have been able to share some beautiful moments with such exceptional individuals and those who love them. Gedney Howe III is one such individual, a man who gave so much to this community, as Charleston’s preeminent attorney. I had the privilege of speaking with him briefly before he unexpectedly passed last year. We had planned the portrait to happen while he was still with us. Though in mourning, Gedney IV helped me capture the vision he had for his father’s portrait.
Gedney III and I had one very special person in common, the late Buzz Harper (the portrait above, the iconic gentleman in the white suit and red tie), our dear friend and the designer of the interior of this office, as well as the Calhoun Mansion, which when it changed hands, sadly lost the distinctive Harper touch. The chair in the portrait, once owned by President Howard Taft, a beautiful marble and lovely portrait grace the dark wood law bookshelves. Formidable, but reassuringly warm. Gedney stands confidently, but again, with a touch of warmth. He cared about the #law but he also cared for the people he served so well throughout his storied career.
The portrait will be on display at my exhibition, "Identity and Self" at the Park Circle Gallery in North Charleston, opening today, Friday April 3, 5-7 pm. The exhibition runs through April 25. ... See MoreSee Less
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a prophetess whose fate was to foretell future events correctly but never to be heeded or believed. She was the daughter of Priam, Troy’s last king, and his wife Hecuba. The god Apollo fell in love with #Cassandra and offered her the gift of foretelling the future in return for her love. Cassandra agreed to the bargain and received Apollo’s gift but then refused to keep her word. In retaliation, Apollo cursed her so that her prophecies would never be believed. When we warn of what is happening to our country today, this is how it feels. #painting #artcollector @highlight ... See MoreSee Less
The #Ghost of #Denmark Vessey, 24×20″ oil on linen, framed by the artist
#Vessey appears as an indomitable spirit, standing with dignity, bible in hand, as if he has risen above the hatred of the racists, who’s anger and fear, represented by a posse of angry white men, who have driven his body into the ocean. But they cannot touch his spirit, which endures forever. Denmark Vessey led the first slave revolt in SC and in America. This will be part of my upcoming exhibition at Park Circle Gallery in North Charleston Opening April 3 5-7 pm running through April.
More info:
www.facebook.com/share/18MGV5rPpw/?mibextid=wwXIfr ... See MoreSee Less