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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Tactically Necessity
Remember Affirmative Action? Every generation has their name for the effort to create true equality. And as always, there are many who will cry "no fair." That's just "reverse discrimination," another buzzword from the recent past. Its three steps forward, two steps...
Boundless
I took the family to see BOUNDLESS last night, a new musical written by Mary Fishburne and Directed by Thomas Keating. Five years in the making, against impossible odds, my friend (well I’m more of an admirer) Mary knocks it out of the park. Her music is tuneful and...
News Now
I was delighted to be a guest on Fox 24 News Now once again. Leyla Gulen is an outstanding host and I think we got a lot of information into the segment. Air date 2-2-23. They really do a #fantastic job showcasing local #talent. #Thanks for having me on again! Leyla...
Fear Itself
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." FDR What if what you fear the most is what eventually will kill you? Of course, arachnophobes rarely die from spiders, but there is something to the idea that our fears are slowly killing us. If you knew this about your...
Our Purpose
We are here to find a way We can educate people to recognize truth and beauty. But we must also educate people to recognize lies and ugliness. These are not subjective qualities. Truth is truth, or at least it use to be. Beauty that goes below the surface is real....
Choosing Darkness
I finally figured out why I do insanely stupid things like marrying for the wrong reasons, spending too much time in toxic relationships, getting back surgery to prevent more back pain, or even getting myself sexually assaulted when I was 14, at an age which someone...
The Rights of Children in a Pro Birth Society
When Does Life Begin? If we’re honest, let us concede for a moment that life begins at conception. The instant a seed finds and combines with an egg, a soul comes into being. So, if we are talking about institutionalizing the sanctity of life, we must do away with...
Archbishop Allen Vigneron
I am Honored and humbled to have been chosen to paint the portrait of Archbishop Allen Vigneron. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, the Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron was named archbishop of the Detroit Archdiocese on Jan. 5, 2009, succeeding Cardinal Adam Maida....
ArtTrain Brainchild, E. Ray Scott
E. Ray Scott - Arts Pioneer With all the political posturing during the recent rail workers fiasco, I was reminded of a wonderful arts movement started by a great man of the arts, who I had the pleasure to know well. I'm talking about the inimitable E. Ray Scott,...
Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly Portrait Unveiling
Investiture of the Portrait of Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly Yesterday was the investiture celebration for the portrait of Chief Justice Marilynn Kelly at the Michigan Supreme Court. I presented the portrait before the full Court. As always, it is a solemn and joyous...
Van Gogh In America
I went to see Van Gogh in America today with my sister Betsy. Vincent’s family encourages everyone to take selfies with his art, so here goes nothing. More about my experience at Vincent John Doe. It was overwhelming, the amount of great and iconic work we saw in this...
Dogma Whistle
I get it. Our experience as Christians is so transformative and profound, we want to share it with others. But when we cross the line into forcing others or coercing them into complying with our dogma, the teachings of Jesus as we understand it, we’re doing more harm...
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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
"My Backyard" are part of "Identity and Self" #exhibition at @parkcirclegallery through April 25. Lemme know if and when you'd like to meet me there for a #privatetour, Wednesday-Saturday. #artist #charlestonartist ... See MoreSee Less
In Charleston, the name Gedney Howe is legendary three times over.
My #oilportrait of Gedney @lawofficesofgedneyhowe Howe III in his office. I am so fortunate and honored to have been able to share some beautiful moments with such exceptional individuals and those who love them. Gedney Howe III is one such individual, a man who gave so much to this community, as Charleston’s preeminent attorney. I had the privilege of speaking with him briefly before he unexpectedly passed last year. We had planned the portrait to happen while he was still with us. Though in mourning, Gedney IV helped me capture the vision he had for his father’s portrait.
Gedney III and I had one very special person in common, the late Buzz Harper (the portrait above, the iconic gentleman in the white suit and red tie), our dear friend and the designer of the interior of this office, as well as the Calhoun Mansion, which when it changed hands, sadly lost the distinctive Harper touch. The chair in the portrait, once owned by President Howard Taft, a beautiful marble and lovely portrait grace the dark wood law bookshelves. Formidable, but reassuringly warm. Gedney stands confidently, but again, with a touch of warmth. He cared about the #law but he also cared for the people he served so well throughout his storied career.
The portrait will be on display at my exhibition, "Identity and Self" at the Park Circle Gallery in North Charleston, opening today, Friday April 3, 5-7 pm. The exhibition runs through April 25. ... See MoreSee Less
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a prophetess whose fate was to foretell future events correctly but never to be heeded or believed. She was the daughter of Priam, Troy’s last king, and his wife Hecuba. The god Apollo fell in love with #Cassandra and offered her the gift of foretelling the future in return for her love. Cassandra agreed to the bargain and received Apollo’s gift but then refused to keep her word. In retaliation, Apollo cursed her so that her prophecies would never be believed. When we warn of what is happening to our country today, this is how it feels. #painting #artcollector @highlight ... See MoreSee Less
The #Ghost of #Denmark Vessey, 24×20″ oil on linen, framed by the artist
#Vessey appears as an indomitable spirit, standing with dignity, bible in hand, as if he has risen above the hatred of the racists, who’s anger and fear, represented by a posse of angry white men, who have driven his body into the ocean. But they cannot touch his spirit, which endures forever. Denmark Vessey led the first slave revolt in SC and in America. This will be part of my upcoming exhibition at Park Circle Gallery in North Charleston Opening April 3 5-7 pm running through April.
More info:
www.facebook.com/share/18MGV5rPpw/?mibextid=wwXIfr ... See MoreSee Less