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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Triggering My Abuse – the music video
We had such fun making this music video at a recent Soiree with friends. It's absurd and hilariously ridiculous, an absolutely essential healing and cathartic experience. Don't be turned off by the taboo title. At some point we just have to laugh about these stories...
Jesus Slept
This is the poem that so many asked me about during a recent poetry reading at The 827. Come read your poems there too, every Wednesday evening at 7:30 - 9pm. While there, take in the NETI exhibit. When I say take it in, I mean TAKE IT IN! Like a poem. ...
Bored With Youth
I am bored with Youth NETI I admit it. I am bored with youth. It can be downright frustrating when younger people disrespect my age, negating my life experience and assume, in their youthful exuberance, that I am some old buffoon, not to be taken seriously; that...
TransNETIfication
TransNETIfication Is your painting that it is not? To transNETIfy is to destroy in order to create anew, to find enlightenment from the ashes of truth. NETI is that he is not. So too, all things are in the process of destruction and creation. It is the natural order...
Get NETIfied
Get NETIfied NETI is now accepting a limited number of commission portraits, created in his inimitable style. He will TransNETIfy you, using your suggestions for theme and subject to create a masterpiece full of mystery and intrigue. Ask the staff of 827 for more...
Portrait Delivery
Oh ho, the Wells Fargo Wagon is a comin!! It is always a delight when a portrait hits it's mark. They're like my children. I get very attached and feel like part of the family. A piece of me always goes out when a portrait is delivered. Fortunately, there's an...
The Text Monster
How often do we text and drive? Just a little bit here and there? Stopped at a light? Just a quick, "got it." The Text Monster doesn't care. She says, "don't say you're sorry, just don't do it!" These films all have a message but they are all about character and...
Ann Kennedy Video Tribute
I've used the Memorial Service as a basis for a video tribute of my mom. I hope you will enjoy the additional photos and other elements I've added to give you a small glimpse of the life of Ann Kennedy. It is not as wonderful as I would have liked, but here is my...
The Miracle of How the Sad Boy Became Happy
A Children’s Story by Robby Maniscalco Once upon a time there was a beautiful but troubled young woman who had an unwanted child. She loved him in her way but wasn't ready to give him all the love he craved. So she left him with his father who did his best to raise...
Our Sublime Purpose
A call to action Beings come and go on this Earth, each to sing their own sweet song, muttering them almost imperceptibly as they pass. Or sometimes shouting them from the high ground of a flood. I awoke from a dream this morning on which my grandfather,...
A Tribute to Ann Kennedy
Love languages of Ann Kennedy Thank you all for coming today. "Never trust a person who doesn't love animals." You could trust my mom. Tigey's here to protect her from the indignity of being paraded out on display. There's been much written and said about the Five...
Realize Your Dreams
Prepare a Place for Your Dreams If you expect things to fall into place in your life, to realize your dreams, you must be willing to prepare a place for the dream to become real. If you dream of great wealth and success, you owe it to yourself to put structures in...
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Nothing Celebrates the legacy of your children or your grandchildren for their grandchildren, like an oil portrait.
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Two paintings. One a commission portrait of Gedney Howe III. Another an exploration of "Unintended Consequences." Both part of "Identity and Self," an exhibition at Park Circle Gallery, open wed-Sat. Until April 25th! Disappointed my brand of realism is not in vogue at the moment. But I'm aware fashions come and go. I know my art will endure. What do you think? ... See MoreSee Less
A competent portrait of the former president.  ... See MoreSee Less
At a portrait unveiling at Syracuse University on April 14, 2026, Joe Biden jokingly called Board Chair Jeffrey Scruggs to the stage, asking the crowd, “Doesn’t he look like Barack?” Biden quipped that he often mistook Scruggs for Obama. While the audience laughed, some found the moment awkward. The event celebrated Biden’s legacy at his law school alma mater
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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.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:
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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