Motivational Blog
Several Important Feature Story Prompts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2026 "Now, that's Art to Believe" rm Contact: Robert Maniscalco, artist/author [email protected] mobile: 313-689-2993 click on text for links ↓ Identity and Self a solo exhibition by Robert Maniscalco at Park Circle...
Learning to Paint
“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never...
The Archeology of My Art
I think of my paintings as a piece of archeology, not a snapshot in time, or another scrolling image. I don't mean to artsplain, but a physical painting (not the image of the painting) literally contains the millions of choices made by an artist, in this case mine,...
Empathy is the Truth of the Matter
I remember moving to Andover high school in my sophomore year, on the other side of town. I found myself sitting alone every day at the cafeteria table during lunch. I had enjoyed a certain popularity in my previous school. At least I was well known by my friends, who...
Unrelenting Truth
When you have something important to say, maybe a bit out of your wheelhouse, but not really, because what you're talking about affects all of us, you better go ahead and say it. If we don't wake up to the truth of what is happening in Washington, there won't be any...
Wages of Death
"I think it's worth [it] to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights." Charlie Kirk The PerpeTRAITOR in Chief was testing the water when he blew up a boat last week,...
Normalizing Hate
MOTION DENIED I was there every day of the hate trial of Dylann Roof, as sketch artist. I sat through the whole thing. He had every chance to defend himself. All he did offer was a strangely detached, yet spiteful "manifesto," which incidentally reads like it was...
Cabaret at Footlight
Come to the Cabaret I am excited and looking forward to Footlight Theatre's production of Cabaret, which takes place in 1929 Germany, where people were split politically and grappling with the same issues we are facing right now. I see it as a cautionary tale. Then, a...
The Monetization of Hate
I believe there is an evil in the world, a dark presence that thrives on hate and fear. Call it the devil, call it ideology or conviction of the heart. But something is forcing us to fight each other. The Jews striking back at the Muslims, Trump blaming immigrants for...
The Long Lost Portrait
I Ran into an Old Friend At a recent art opening, I ran into Nancy Delewski, the sitter of my old band mate Marie. When I was at Wayne State, in the music department, I was putting myself through music school painting portraits in exchange for accompaniment, or for a...









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“Light” is a #painting about the moment before everything changes—the quiet split-second when intention becomes action. Set against a swirling, cosmic backdrop, the hands of God (or man?) hold earth or another planet to the flame of destruction (or enlightenment?). The painting invites you to consider both the beauty and the weight of what we choose to ignite in our lives. It holds the tension between our power to create and our responsibility to care. #Light is for those who think deeply about #purpose, #stewardship, and the mystery of #existence, “Light” becomes more than an artwork. It’s a daily reminder that even the smallest spark—an idea, a conversation, a decision—can shape entire worlds. There’s a moment—right before we act—when everything is still possible.
“Light” was painted for the people who feel that weight: the therapists, teachers, spiritual guides, scientists, and quiet leaders who know their choices ripple out farther than they can see. If you’ve ever looked at our fragile little planet and felt both awe and responsibility, this piece is meant to live in your space. A reminder that what you choose to ignite today matters. Where in your life are you ready to strike the match? ... See MoreSee Less
Have you had an #oilportrait of your #children made yet? Now is the best time to #create an #heirloom #portrait by one of America's top portraitists. ... See MoreSee Less
"Jennifer's Flowers" is a recent painting. Can you see how it is a depiction of lovers? How does it make you feel? ... See MoreSee Less
What is existence? Are we really spiritual beings, made in God's image? #existence #charlestonsc #painting #artcollector ... See MoreSee Less
This dramatic, colorful, painterly, expressive self-portrait is an example of what I can do for you. ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks Robbin.
As Americans marked Presidents’ Day — a holiday traditionally reserved for honoring the nation’s leaders, their legacies and the arc of presidential history — Donald Trump found himself in the middle of a growing controversy over how his legacy is framed in one of the country’s most revered cultural institutions.
Trump reportedly requested that the Smithsonian Institution commission a new official presidential portrait that would encapsulate both his nonconsecutive terms — a departure from the usual practice of unveiling an official painted portrait only after a president leaves office. An earlier portrait commissioned after his first term, painted by the late Ronald Sherr, was never displayed because Trump was running for reelection when it was completed. But now, Trump wants a different image to represent his full tenure. At the same time, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has already stirred debate by replacing Trump’s previous photographic portrait in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition and stripping wall text that noted his two impeachments and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The new display features a stark image by White House photographer Daniel Torok with minimal context, a contrast to other presidents’ portraits, which still include fuller biographical captions. At the same time, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has already stirred debate by replacing Trump’s previous photographic portrait in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition and stripping wall text that noted his two impeachments and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The new display features a stark image by White House photographer Daniel Torok with minimal context, a contrast to other presidents’ portraits, which still include fuller biographical captions. ... See MoreSee Less
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