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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Babies, Charcoal and Conte
Baby Portraits in Charcoal and Conte My dear friend Jason Zwiker asked me to create a couple charcoals sketches from photographs he had. I decided to go with the toned paper, with conte. I love the look of these drawings and am hoping to have the opportunity to more...
Right vs Left Brain Are One Brain
Who really knows their Right from their Left? The traditional Right vs Left brain conversation is not giving us the complete picture. New findings suggest that people are not necessarily more functional on one hemisphere of their brain over the other. I have done...
Latest MUSC Portrait
Dr. Janice Lage Portrait Presentation The portrait of Dr. Janice Lage, Chair of MUSC's Pathology Department, was recently added to their amazing collection, recognizing the service of the field's top doctors and those who have distinguished themselves in the Pathology...
Mountain Majesty Demo
Mountain Majesty, 16 x 20" oil on canvas, framed by the artist Here's the latest demo from a really fun painting party. I worked on it after everyone left, experimenting with some crazy colors to create a bit more vibration. I may have gone too far with crazy color,...
Double-Speak
Fight for Peace! There is an insane culture of Double-speak in this country. Following is by no means a complete list: We must . . . tolerate others’ intolerance. protect our freedom by curtailing others’ freedoms. protect our right to impede others’ rights. execute...
Folly Beach Floral Demo
Painting a Beach Demo Last night was another magical painting party. Cate and I are becoming quite a team, getting great results from people who've never picked up a paint brush. Everybody's having a great time and going home with something they are proud to hang in...
Why, oh Why do we do it?
Sometimes we wonder why we make art, against all odds. We fail. We fail to connect. We fail to see. We fail to be seen. Even our triumphs seem so short-lived. It seems so meaningless, so empty. We feel like giving up. Others do what we do so much better, so much...
Portrait Portrait
A Tale of Two Portraits "Great defect leads to great affect." unknown One of the things I enjoy most about teaching portrait workshops is that even though we are all working with the same method, the same palette, sometimes even the same POV, the paintings always turn...
Three Muses Demo
A step by step Process combing figure painting with landscape For those of you wanting to know more about alla prima methods and value based painting, here is a little demo of my most recent painting, "The Three Muses." This is the finished work is sold, but...
Progress
When nations grow old the Arts grow cold And commerce settles on every tree. William Blake Is this not happening right now? As individuality is being absorbed by the corporate behemoth, we find ourselves wondering why society is becoming more cynical, rather than...
The Chosen
"Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Martin Luther King, Jr The following is...
A Conversation with Mary
Being Grateful Mary witnessed a subtle smile sneak across my face when I was writing in my journal this morning. She asked me why I was smiling. I told her she was observing the quiet, subtle but deeply satisfying feeling that a person has when they turn a phrase or...
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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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