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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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....
The Son
A wealthy man and his son. . . loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was...
What is the Fair Market Value of Art?
How Do You Put a Value on Art? "Don't blame the marketing department. The buck stops with the chief executive." John D. Rockefeller I recently blogged about the valuation of art. Many find the commodification of one's creative output problematic. How can you put a...
Perception is Everything
Low-balling Art Is a Flop I've been running a little marketing experiment lately. I've been offering recent demo paintings for a much lower price than one might expect to pay at an art fair or even a framed print in a frame shop. Very often, these demo paintings...


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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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What an amazing portrait! Bravo! ... See MoreSee Less
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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