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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The Little Bird and the Hawk
This is a story about a boy whose parents talked him out of caring for an injured bird he found on his way home from school. "Get that thing out of here," his mother scolded. "He's full of germs!" "Let nature run its course," said his father. "It's wrong to interfere...
Walk the Line
I try to walk a line, as a political person, because we are all political beings, even if we shy away from politics. I push the envelope as a citizen/artist, not as often as I'd like to. I restrain myself. But as I survey the current landscape, I find myself wanting...
The Obstacle Course of my Life
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger I am a survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse, which deeply impacted my sensibility and sense of self worth. One positive that came out of it was it made me more sensitive to the suffering of others. Believe me, empathy is not...
Falling Leaves
A Grandma's love I'm very excited to show another recent commission. This one from a bunch of photos taken by a proud grandma. In this case, Cheryle gave me many options and said "surprise me." I have found, the more latitude a client provides an artist, the better...
Portrait of Butch
The Posthumous Portrait Challenge Here's an interesting recent commission, from a blurry B&W snapshot taken in the 1970s, evidently on an airplane. Butch passed away last year and his wife of many years decided to have her favorite pic of him made into a painting....
Wrong is Right on
Dannagal Goldtnwaite Young has written a book called Wrong, which was recently featured on an episode of Hidden Brain (on NPR), called, "Sitting with Uncertainty." Wrong is a very enlightening book that not only sheds a much needed light on our political divide but...
The Last Supper in Haiti
It was confirmed for me yesterday that the Watermission compound in Porta Prince, Haiti, where I painted the Last Supper mural fell out of their hands in 2023, when they abandoned the property and the country was taken over by gangs. This was part of my work on The...
How to Eat a Dog
Haitian Refugees in Springfield OH Here's my response to the Springfield Haitian-Refugees-eating-pets conspiracy theory. At the end of the day, instead of wondering IF anyone would eat someone's pet we need to be asking WHY? Can you imagine the level of abject poverty...
Am I Entitled?
Am I entitled? I was born into advantages that have set me up for a good life. But am I entitled? I worked hard and made the most of those advantages. But am I entitled? I have dedicated my life to lifting everyone up with the success I have enjoyed. But am I...
Reactive vs Proactive Artists
I've been thinking about what kind of artist I want to be. After 45 years in the business, I think its time. Do I choose to respond to what other artists are doing successfully and turn myself inside out trying to beat them at their own game? Or dare I trod my own...
The Second Coming of Trump
We Know Trump is a Criminal A large number of American now see Trump as the answer we've all been waiting for. For many people, Trump's second term is like the second coming of Christ. They think all these trials are just a partisan witch hunt. But we really don't...
Job and Abel
Another reason I speak out against a second Trump presidency is because it will mark the end of the Parole program, allowing Americans to sponsor citizens of struggling countries, like Haiti and bring them here, legally. I am sponsoring two beautiful young men, Abel...
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My portrait unveiling at the Carol and Paul Schaap Center made Hour Detroit Magazine, along with my friends in Grosse Pointe Theatre. I still have to pinch myself that it happened.
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Schaap Center Grand Opening Gala
www.hourdetroit.com
The A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center's Grand Opening Gala took place on May 16 in Grosse Pointe Park.A couple Storks walk into a bar. The first one asks, "Where's that light coming from?" "Behind you. See the glimmer?" "No, I'm afraid of going blind." "Oh, that's an old wives tale." "But the president did it; it must be okay." "Maybe. All's I know is it's nice being in this Maniscalco painting." "Yeah, we really hit the big time, for sure." "And what's with the arrow in the foreground?" ... See MoreSee Less
Here's what flew into my easel recently. "Sacrificial Pelicans" is a new addition to my wildlife series. ... See MoreSee Less
Another great session at Peggy's with Mary. ... See MoreSee Less
Red Pump Skeleton - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
Red Pump Skeleton 12 x 16" oil on canvas panel From a life session at Peggy's. Mary again gets into character for us lucky few. Who needs another nude, right? But a nude with a skeleton peeking throug...Is realism dead? ... See MoreSee Less
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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.That's why I love portraiture. It's more about the love we have in our life than it is about art. ... 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.