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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Being in the Zone vs. Zoning Out
If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness. Les Brown Being in the Zone The term is used quite loosely to express that feeling of freedom, when time seems to stop and we do...
Stuart Cline – Confessional of artist blogger.
I recently had the privilege to exchange interviews with Art Therapist and eminent Blogger, Stuart Cline. His interview of me is on his website, along with great information and links to artists and therapists who find multiple correlations between the creative...
Interview with a VampBlogger
The first known interview with a VampBlogger - Confessions of an artist I was recently asked for an interview by eminent art therapy blogger, Stuart Cline. Here are his fascinating questions, along with my answers: What got you into blogging? I enjoy communicating...
Painting Badly
Some Advice from the Master (of failure) about painting badly This is not directed at anyone in particular, since, I have banned the use of the word" bad" in my classes. I encourage my students to think in terms of deeper, rather than bad or good. In other words, if...
Brush with Talent
No brush with wine last night. Cate and I have really enjoyed each group that has come and celebrated the creative process with us at our painting parties, now being offered half price through Amazon Local. They're also offering half off painting classes. Imagine,...
My Favorite Artist
Why bash Bush? When I first saw this monstrosity on facebook my knee jerk reaction was, terrible President, terrible artist. I proceeded to draw correlations from history. The comparisons between Hitler and all the famous politicians who were artist wannabes...
Six More Artists in the World
Does the world need another artist? Another Painting Party and suddenly there are six more artists in the world that were not there before. I love that none of these ladies has ever painted in oil before last night. A couple had done a Palette and Brush event but...
Morris Island Lighthouse Demo
Morris Island Lighthouse This iconic Charleston scene captivates us with its steadfast devotion to its task. Recently restored it has been the subject of many a painting. Add seven more. Last evening this painting was the subject of a painting party at our studio. ...
Why Are You an Artist?
We saw the movie, "Gravity" last night. Cate commented after: "Space exploration is a waste of money. How do Sandra Bullock's (or Captain Kirk's) personal epiphanies and discoveries really benefit Earth and are their "great stories" really worth the cost?" It...
Artist as Bricklayer
"Find the art in yourself, not your self in the art." Stanislavski Exploring structure by seeing the artist as bricklayer Whether you are an abstract expressionist or a photo realist it might be time to think of your job more as a bricklayer than as some fancy-pants...
Selling Art or Selling Out
Selling Art Vs. Selling Out "Art is making something out of nothing and selling it." Frank Zappa Selling art is always a pleasure. Yesterday, a fellow artist posted a blog about the tragedy of truly dedicated artists not selling their work. Perhaps rightly, he...
Fear No Oil
Fear No Oil "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." Vincent Van Gogh We have begun in earnest the run of painting parties with the Maniscalcos. We had some fun and made some cool art. Cate...
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
"Tempus Fugit" captures the instant fire and ice meet, when strange entities are released into the human psyche. Another collaboration between myself and artist Nick C. Cerrato. ...
"Light" captures the moment of decision. To enlighten or to inflame? ...
"Darkness and Light" is my latest collaboration with Nick C. Cerrato. It can be appreciated simply as an #abstract expressionist #painting and closer up as a deep narrative meditation on darkness and #light. ...
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The grand arbiter of taste, who definitely would not recognize a Van Gogh if it hit them in the face. With apologies, of course, to all those who've awarded me over the years, and to those who haven't. This is one more reason I detest authority. When I've played the role of juror, I always feel it necessary to write about each of the works, something kind and something to work on. I see the role of juror is not to judge, but uplift and encourage people who've put their heart and soul on the line. I usually pick the piece most reasonable people would agree was award worthy. And I can tell you why. I think contests should exist to support deep study and commitment to the purpose of art, which is to open our eyes to something heretofore unseen. It is the juror's job to really see the artists' work, in such a way that each artist will know they have been seen. ...
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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.Evil's Place, another collaboration with Nick Cerrato. I know you can't zoom in on insta so I will tell you God is pressing the devil into his place, while multiple figures reacts to the battle of good vs evil. NFS ...