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.
BLOG CATEGORIES
ALL BLOGS
NETI, the UNscene
Hi, I'm Robert Maniscalco, NETI's Doppelganger, reporting to you today to assure you the world continues to turn on it's axis (access). Thankfully, for some, NETI has gone unscene for quite some time. Let me paint the unscene this way: "NETI was last unscene in a...
The Philosophy Behind the Power of Positive Painting
The Power of Positive Painting (P3) The Philosophy Behind the P3 Method As the title suggests, my philosophy of teaching, as well as my approach to painting itself, is positive. I encourage my students to take positive action, always moving forward in their process. ...
Renewing Custom Massage
Renewing Custom Massage If you are ever in need of a renewing custom massage or facial treatment, Marina Hackel is your go to gal in Charleston. Here's what she has to say about her mission: Massage is not simply a technique, but a spiritual dance. It is a...
When is Faster Better?
Here's today's first quick sketch, redeemed by the owner of GoCharlestonDeals.com. There are about three days left to get your sketches in, at half price. Check out that G0CharlestonDeals link above for more info about the deal. I find the element of time to be...
Clearance Sale of Female Forms
We are making an exclusive studio clearance offer of Female Forms to Maniscalco BLOG subscribers. This will be your only opportunity to acquire these artworks at these well-below market prices. This offer will also be extended to close friends and those you may...
Perfectionism – The Perils of Making Rough Places Plane
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. Luke 3:5 One might argue the spiritual arch is one of finding the middle. Over the millennia nature has a...
Fighting the Good Fight
"A man paints with his brains and not with his hands." Michelangelo Buonarroti Try explaining this to a fellow who's just spent $350 on art supplies, thinking if only he had the right brush, all his troubles would be over. His masterpiece is always around the...
My Personal Best
You can't do better than to do the best you can. Trouble comes when people base their concept of their personal best on a mental construct dragged up from their past experiences, or worse, the past experiences of others, which are no longer relevant. Every new...
Quick Sketch Deal
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle I really enjoy sketching quickly. The time element is exciting to me. Here's your chance to get some sketching time with me. Here's where you can get...
Figure Painting Session
What interests me most is neither still life nor landscape: it is the human figure. Henri Matisse We had another figure drawing session at my studio last evening. Lots of fun. I have logged countless hours in front of the figure and always learning. These were two...
The Vernissage of The Real Princess Kate Portrait
The Real Princess Kate Portrait Last evening we had the much anticipated Vernissage of Cate's portrait "The Real Princess Kate," surrounded by dear friends. Now it is time to share it with the world. Click to see the finished portrait (She's in the center) The...
Surviving Spirit
When I hear the voices, real or imagined, clambering around me, of those who wish for me to fail, seeming hell bent on undermining my bliss, I have finally learned to laugh. Sure, I know my videos may be seen as silly, I know NETI is just a glimmer of the creative...
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
This content isn't available right now
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.