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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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...
Is Art Cool?
Following is an excerpt from one of the Chapters in my book, Point of Art. I’m not a cool person. They can dress me up to look cool. I’ve played cool on TV. But I’m really not cool. That’s ok, I’m cool with it. On the other hand, with all this talk about “cool cities”...
Those Who Teach, Stand the Most to Learn.
"I know no more sacred duty than to rear and educate a child." Ludwig van Beethoven. If you want to learn something, really learn it, try teaching it. Often, in my classes, I ask other students to explain a concept with which they themselves are struggling. Putting...
Negative People
I wonder about all these "negative" people my friends talk about from whom they always seem to be running. Who are they? I have a hunch that sometimes these "negative" people, or non-people, may really be those who don't happen to tow our line; the ones who may not...
Painting the Finish
“No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition.” Claude Monet. This conundrum is found in all disciplines. I equate the creative process to riding a horse. You want to ride the trail and...
My New Play
Colorful characters, along with clever twists and turns of circumstance are lots of fun on stage but without ideas, it's just another sitcom. rm As I work on my play I am struck by the challenges of balancing theme and plot. The deadliest mistake an artist can make is...
Ego Triggers
"It is a singular sensation to see and hear one's self praised, and then to be conscious of one's own imperfections as I am. I always regard such occasions as admonitions to get nearer the unattainable goal set for us by art and nature, hard as it may be." Ludwig...
Clearing a Path for Creativity
For many years I thought being positive was a process of denying my fears and resentments, the main obstacles for a creative flow, and replacing them with love and acceptance. The Law of Attraction is great stuff but I have found until I was first able to face my...
The Role of the Master
In life we take turns being the master or the apprentice. Often we are both at once. These distinctions are always by mutual agreement. It is through these relationships that we grow. Some master/apprentice arrangements are healthy. Some are not. When the ego...
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 ...