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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I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in a while who asked me where my hat was. I stammered, “what hat?” He said, “c'mon, you always wear a hat!” It is true that I sometimes wear hats; the sun can be murderous on bald heads. I was struck, however, that his experience with...
Working Through Pain
A Brave Front Most people know me as a go getter, whatever that is. I'm a doer. I am always trying to make something happen, always hustling. But years of negative messaging from myself and others, in the form of CSA and verbal trauma, and the resulting anxiety and...
Rudolf Nureyev
Excerpts of a letter Rudolf Nureyev wrote, to the dance community about his own life as a dancer, while dying of AIDS. His words remind me of why I paint or act or write. Not for the glory but for the shear joy of doing, the simple thrill of exploring my curiosities,...
Private Lessons Rock
As Covid protocols continue to hang over us, we all have been making adjustments. I am giving my demos over zoom now, rather than in person. I have even been doing commission portraits completely virtual. My online shop has gone up and I'm selling work without ever...
The Art Market
The following is a frank assessment of the current art market, from this artist's perspective. As most of you know, I have an extensive catalogue of available artwork. It happens when you've been doing art for forty years. I've spent some time recently adjusting each...
Essential Still Life
What is an Essential Still Life? View Custom Still Lives Robert has Done for Others In addition to my oil portraits I can create a very personal still life, perhaps celebrating a bride’s wedding, or other monumental event, with an “essential still life” remembering "a...
Everyone Must Work
I was visited by God* in my dream last night where the story of heaven on earth unfolded before me. The dream made clear that Heaven doesn’t exist in another dimension or another location. Heaven is in the process of manifesting joy and wonderment in our present,...
The Choice
Let them eat cake. Why should Richard Branson send himself into orbit? Is it to send a message to those deadbeat dads that throwing their children's lives away is a tragic waste of their child-making abilities. It's not rocket science. Or maybe it is, a little. I...
Dr. John Vena
The Big Reveal It's always a pleasure when my work is appreciated. Today was the dedication of my portrait of Dr. John Vena, retiring chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at MUSC. He served six years and transformed the department into the sixth rated PHS...
Wedding Portraits
As you know, I create portraits for every occasion. Wedding are a beautiful time in our lives and there is no better way to remember that awesome experience than with an oil portrait. Find out about my wedding portraits and the many ways we can devise to express the...
Self Esteem, Entitlement and White Privilege
The Trap of Self-esteem The self-esteem craze began with the Power of Positive Thinking, years ago. I certainly have written my fair share on the subject. This approach to life has also become known as the Law of Attraction. Basically, the premise is, "if you can...
Not Giving a F#ck
Reading "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson, reinforced a few core principals for me The book read like a fully fleshed-out version of the RM Theory, a survival philosophy I devised in High School. As George Orwell said in 1984, "a good book tells you...
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I wonder if I could paint a portrait of Trump that was not influenced by my feelings about him. It would be an interesting exercise. ... See MoreSee Less
Colorado removes from its Capitol a portrait of Donald Trump that he called ‘distorted’
www.fox21news.com
A portrait of Donald Trump that he said was “purposefully distorted” was removed from a wall at the Colorado state Capitol where it had been since 2019. After Trump posted complaints about the pai...Who knew portraits could be used for espionage! Just one more reason to get your portrait painted by American artist, Robert Maniscalco. ... See MoreSee Less
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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.Very excited to present my latest portrait, this my first at the legendary and storied Hibernian Hall Society, of its current President Patrick Duffy. Read the whole story. ... See MoreSee Less
Patrick Duffy Portrait - Maniscalco Gallery
maniscalcogallery.com
This past St Patrick’s day was the big annual event at the Hibernia Society in Charleston. The Irish centered organization is a society, not a club, and is not affiliated with the Ancient Order of H...Here's a special project done in time for this young man's celebration of life memorial.
maniscalcogallery.com/portraits-pastel-charcoal/ ... See MoreSee Less
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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.Any old school #Republicans out there who #remember a time we didn't have to question the #sanity of our #leaders? #Reagan #putin #trump #ukraine #supportukraine ... See MoreSee Less