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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Alex in Charcoal
Celebrating Childhood I love that I have a job where I can help people capture the feeling of a time, which we all know too well, inevitably will slip away. I feel like a time traveler and it's awesome. Now those who love, and will come to love Alex, will always...
Trust
"It takes a lifetime to build trust and only a second to destroy it forever." I have written previously about the art business as a con game. Well here is a painting I know you will like. . . Once, on a cruise ship, the auctioneer was angry that no one was bidding....
Maya and the Surviving Spirit
We are Here In homage to this great life allow me to suggest that as creatives we all owe her a debt, that a woman who had to overcome such great odds to have her voice heard is an inspiration for all those who have ever been brave enough to put down on canvas a...
Dr. Barbara Tilley Portrait Vernissage
Dr. Barbara Tilley Returns to the Department she chaired for ten years at MUSC, now the Department of Public Health Sciences. I am very grateful that Barbara had faith in my work nine years ago when she became the first to commission me to create portraits at MUSC,...
PR – Maniscalco Wins 2014 Artprize Portrait Competition
Robert Maniscalco Wins 2014 Artfields Portrait Competition For more information please email Robert or by phone at 843-486-3161 Robert Maniscalco won the 2014 ARTFIELDS portrait competition on May 3, 2014, selected from a field of 23 very talented and creative...
ARTFIELDS Winning Portrait
Made my Daddy Proud The big news is that I won the ARTFIELDS portrait competition on May 3, 2014, from a field of 23 very talented and creative artists. It was pretty exciting. But whatever the outcome, it was an awesome opportunity to turn people on to the art of...
But I’m Not a Racist
I met a guy today; he'd just moved to South Carolina from Lansing and saw my Detroit tee shirt. I was waiting for service at a small engine repair shop in Charleston. He decided to strike up a conversation. He said, "I left my job in Michigan because my ex-boss's...
Passion, Vision and Goals
Being an Artist It's absurd to expect yourself to be passionate about your art without knowing why you're doing it. It's the vision, not the idea of passion that inspires us. I write (paint, sing, act, dance, etc.) not to be a writer; I write because I have...
Charleston Living – A Softer Touch
A Softer Touch Here is a readable .pdf of the recent article in Charleston Living, beautifully written by fellow art spirit, Jason Zwiker. Or if you prefer, just scroll down. I hope you will read and share the message of the article, which I think describes our...
Cate Portrait is Finished
Cate and Friends This portrait of my darling Cate depicts a world where all is well and all is one. Aside from completely repainting the face from the previous version, I have added 14 creatures to the painting, not including the Holy Spirit, seen in the upper right....
Our Culture of Exceptionalism
I often wonder why I speak out, why I paint, why I write, sometimes, why I even bother waking up in the morning. It seems at times that nobody cares. I realize my blogs often disappear into the ether, sometimes completely unread, that what I'm burning to say means...
Fear and Bravery for the artist
Many people believe the following statement: "Real freedom is the absence of fear." I respectfully disagree. I tell my kids that fear is only step one. Step two is bravery. An absence of fear is probably not practical or even possible. Denial is rarely effective....
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.