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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Nothing Celebrates the legacy of your children or your grandchildren for their grandchildren, like an oil portrait.
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Two paintings. One a commission portrait of Gedney Howe III. Another an exploration of "Unintended Consequences." Both part of "Identity and Self," an exhibition at Park Circle Gallery, open wed-Sat. Until April 25th! Disappointed my brand of realism is not in vogue at the moment. But I'm aware fashions come and go. I know my art will endure. What do you think? ... See MoreSee Less
A competent portrait of the former president.  ... See MoreSee Less
At a portrait unveiling at Syracuse University on April 14, 2026, Joe Biden jokingly called Board Chair Jeffrey Scruggs to the stage, asking the crowd, “Doesn’t he look like Barack?” Biden quipped that he often mistook Scruggs for Obama. While the audience laughed, some found the moment awkward. The event celebrated Biden’s legacy at his law school alma mater
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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.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