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
Producing Greatness
The true artist has no pride; unhappily he realizes that art has no limitations, he feels darkly how far he is from the goal, and while, perhaps he is admired by others, he grieves that he has not yet reached the point where the better genius shall shine before him...
“My First Painting” by Cate Maniscalco
Today I'm proud to feature an extended BLOG by my wife, the courageous Cate Maniscalco. Week one: Wednesday morning, the sun shining bright on a warm, beautiful mid-November day, tearing ourselves from one another, I realize the time. Oh my, Rob's painting class...
Acting Methods
Some of you may not realize I am an actor. My experience and training is eclectic. My technique borrows from Stanislavski, Adler, Meisner, Strassberg and a myriad of others who's names you probably don't know. I even studied with Mark Lenard (Sarak from Star Trek)!...
Words and the Right Brain
Whatever you put in is what will come out, recycled as something else. For instance, I wonder about using music with lyrics as a "background" for painting. Personally, I use instrumental music. If I hear lyrics it activates my left brain, which tends to think of...
Relativity
Learn to See. Realize that everything is connected to everything else. Leonardo da Vinci I knew this was his life's mission, to notice connections between things, but I'd never seen this quote, put so succinctly. When I look at objects or groups of objects, I see...
Ambition and Bliss
What will be the judgment a century hence concerning the lauded works of our favorite composers today? Inasmuch as nearly everything is subject to the changes of time, and, more’s the pity, the fashions of time, only that which is good and true, will endure like a...
Talent Shmalent
You will have to play a long time yet before you realize that you can not play at all. Ludwig Van Beethoven People, students, often ask me to tell them if they have talent, as if to suggest they should not want to waste their time, devoting themselves to something...
My students make me proud!
Don't forget I offer an ongoing Drawing/Painting class every Wednesday, 10am - 12:30 pm to get those creative juices flowing. Join us in our spiritual quest on the banks of the Ashley River. It's always a great time to jump in and open yourself up to your creative...
Obama Portrait Items on Sale
What better way to celebrate President Barack Obama's second inauguration than with a fine art poster, teeshirt or coffee mug? For those who sleep better knowing he is President, this is a great opportunity to share the love. For those who don't, may I mention they...
Recent Lowcountry Live Appearance
Back in December 2012 I exhibited some paintings alongside a Charleston icon, the late great, Anne Worsham Richardson. Here I talk about the work and the posthumous collaboration with Anne. [youtube]VwRN7T_nL1A[/youtube]
The Advent of Creativity
The Advent of Creativity I wanted to pass on the Christmas wish I recently shared with one of my coaching clients: In our last conversation, we dug pretty hard into the many ego-infused reasons why we do what we do. My ulterior motive being, if we hold a...
Transformations
One of my students just shared this with me, which left me feeling deeply grateful and humble. It also got me thinking: "I haven't told you, but you are such a good art teacher. I have improved so much with your help, and feel like the sky is the limit....
Would you like to get inspiration in your inbox, rather than ads for more stuff? Welcome to ManiscalcoGallery.com
Maniscalco Gallery on Facebook
My portrait of Miss Susie Jackson, along with "The Tan Suit," will be part of the upcoming MOJA exhibition at Charleston City Gallery, part of the city-wide MOJA Festival. ...
maniscalcogallery.com
maniscalcogallery.com
Thank you Tom for your insight and perspective on the age old debate on nudity. Apparently, even male nudity from the waste up is a thing. I think ageism may have also been a factor - no one wants to see my sagging carcass. I'm proud I won, but I've been around long enough to know it could have easily been a bust - just not my bust. "Reflections" goes to Cincinnati next for a national show. I'm proud of the high quality this show is attracting, raising the artistic standards, if not the moral standards, of our region. This was my second 'best of' in as many years of the Lowcountry FA Showcase. Now, the question dangles tantalizingly over the horizon: should I go for three next year? Or quit while I'm ahead (but not a semi nude body!)? ...
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.I am excited to announce my painting, "Gratitude" has been juried into the Fall 2026 Open Juried Exhibition of the Portrait Society of Atlanta! The exhibition will take place at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville, Georgia from October 3 to December 5, 2026. If you're in the Atlanta area definitely come check out the show! This painting will be available for purchase during the exhibition.
maniscalcogallery.com/product/gratitude/
#portraitsocietyofatlanta #painting #portraitpainting ...
Call Now
You are invited to an exhibition of my work and a lively Portrait Demonstration
PORTRAIT DEMONSTRATION
SEPTEMBER 15, @ 11:00 AM
at IOP REC CENTER, 24 28th Ave,
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
info: 843.886.8294
The exhibition will run from August 31 - September 19 ...
...
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.Still wet on the easel, The Tan Suit has great significance, not only because Obama infamously wore one as President . . . Remember when this was such a terrible transgression? But making billions on buisness deals as President is okay? But I digress. This painting is from a pic I took in 2010 in front of Mother Emanuel Church, in a simpler time.
maniscalcogallery.com/product/the-tan-suit/ ...