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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Vote Tuesday – Democracy is in the Balance
Wake up! This isn’t about inflation or “sleepy Joe.” It’s about fascism; it’s about the end of our democratic system, already weakened. Their plan is to tie up the election process; they are planting people who will sow more and more doubt until we give up and finally...
Shading
People think getting the right brush, or coolest color or the perfect medium is going to make them better painters. Painting is primarily an eye thing. A stick with the right value will make a far more meaningful mark than the finest sable brush or expensive pigment....
The Good Christian
My Homily delivered at a service at All Souls Waccamaw Unitarian Universalist Church on October 23, 2022 View the FB Live recording (my presentation starts at 15:15) Thanks Carli and Matt. Thanks for having me again Waccamaw! Don’t ya just love it when the grocery...
Stewart Mungo Portrait Unveiling
Portrait of Stewart Mungo Unveiled, October 11, 2022 0 I'm very excited to present my portrait of home developer, Stewart Mungo of Mungo Homes. It's a privilege to continue their portrait tradition, begun by the late great Michael del Priore. It's always a little...
The Obama Portraits
I'd like to offer a word or two about the recent presentation of the Obama's official portraits, for what it's worth. First, what a class act. There was no mention of the insult leveled by the previous admin for not doing this when he had the chance. I watched the...
The Keto Diet and the Meaning of Life
When one reaches a certain age, it becomes next to impossible to lose weight. I've tried so many diets. They don't work anymore. But I’ve lost almost 20 pounds (so far) on the Keto diet. Here’s my theory: We Homo sapiens were cursed early on to live, eat and die along...
Bravery
The following can be understood and consumed as both philosophy and technical advice. Some musicians have the ability to hear passages of music, fully realized in their heads. Mozart and Beethoven come to mind. That's one reason I play their music when I paint....
The Visitors
Today, visitors who said they were from another planet stopped by to give us a cup of sugar. One of them said, “it looks like you will need this.” I said to them, “of all the things you could bring us from your world, why would you choose a cup of sugar?” They seemed...
My Covid19 Takeaway
A year and a half in of mask wearing, social distancing, and just like that, I got the Covid. And it’s kickin my ass. I’m so glad I’m vaxed and boosted. As an added precaution, I also opted to take the PAXLOVID ani-virals, from Pfizer, a regiment consisting of six...
End the Violence
Violence can no longer be put forth as a solution to our problems. As the President recently said in his Philidelphia address, "it is not normal." It should not become a part of the political discourse. It has always been the way in this country. But violence has been...
Grim Forecast
Here’s what’s going to happen, and it does not make me happy to forecast doom and gloom. The Democrats haven’t done away with the filibuster because they still hold out a quaint hope for bipartisanship, and because they can’t get a majority within their own party....
Stop Turning Your Head
Those who continue to support this pathetic loser say they do so because they like his policies or his stance on certain social issues. They simply ignore his “antics.” But delusional thinking and/or lying, as in the big lie, should be enough to disqualify. Those are...
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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