Three Dog Night montage This classic portrait montage celebrates the owner’s three favorite animals in the world. It was presented as a gift and is destined to become a treasured family heirloom. Notice how the eye moves entering from the top dog from the left and moving down and around, through the middle dog to the bottom dog, moving our eye to the bottom dog, who is the focal point, because every painting needs a focal point. See more dog and animal portraits The post Three Dog Night appeared first on Maniscalco Gallery ..read more

Forward by Barbara Pitcher Dear reader, this is a gift. I want you to take this little poem book somewhere you can be alone at a time when you need not a lover, but a dear friend, when a deep love or friendship is necessary. I had such an experience. That is why I want you to have with Rob Maniscalco’s “Chromo Sapient.” when I first started in the theatre I had given up a chance to work with Joseph Papp (You might know him from the NYC Shakespeare Company he founded), to be in his repertory company and get my Equity Card at the one theatre in the country which proclaimed that one was truly a ..read more

Wilder with members of his family It is always exciting to present a portrait. Last week was the investiture of Hon. Kurtis Wilder’s portrait at the Michigan Supreme Court. The ceremony took place in front of the entire court, all members present. There were speeches by many supporters, including former governors Engler and Snider. Here’s a transcript of my speech Honorable justices of the court, and distinguished guests. I’m joined today by my wife Cate and my sister Betsy. We’re all here to celebrate the life and achievements of Kurt Wilder. But you know, it’s a tremendous honor for me, a ..read more

Gates by Erin Cole Gates head study by Robert Maniscalco When I teach privately I like to use the paint along process, where the student paints along as I demonstrate. This is how I learned, sitting next to my father and painting what he painted. I call it full immersion study. It usually works out as a win-win. The student learns the process of building a painting from the beginning to the end and I end up with a nice painting. Erin actually started out as a member of a group class, which ended up with one student, due to conflicts, etc. I must say, she took to the process very well.  ..read more

Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd. ~Bertrand Russell (Book: Unpopular Essays : https://amzn.to/3PvxdDo) The Longshoreman It’s strange to be a member of a group (democrats) that is so feared and loathed by the other group (republicans) that they want to destroy us. It’s almost surreal. I just wish the republicans would awaken to their former glory. The only Republican that comes to mind is Lincoln and maybe Eisenhower, both of whom would today be considered “woke” Democrats. We need conse ..read more

Recently, I had the pleasure of creating an oil portrait of my dog, Bailey, as the subject of my “Furry Friends” demo, begun at Art on the Square Gallery, where you can also see some of my latest work. I finished the painting in my studio. Here’s my Youtube video of my recent furry friends demo. It includes my original music and takes the portrait all the way to the finish. It’s a bit shaky at first, but when I get back into the studio it smooths out nicely. Special attention to showing the oft requested “finish.” How do we get from a decent drawing and good shapes to something called the fini ..read more

Steve Anthony Cefalo created some great tips for appreciating artwork, with which I agree whole heartedly. This is not anti-intellectual dribble (heaven forbid). It’s a way to expand your intuition and use your lifetime of experience to enter a work of art. The question is what can you bring to the piece? We expect everything to be predigested, packaged and explained in todays society. Instead, just be with the work of art, the one that calls to you. What it has for you is unique to you. Being moved by a work of art is itself a creative act. Thanks Steve! Here they are: “My personal tips fo ..read more

Little Christine (before the Phantom enters her life) We refer to life’s obstacles as “formative experiences” or “trials” when we’re mature enough to process the challenges they present. We may succeed or fail but we are emotionally prepared to accept the consequences. And when we are not emotionally prepared to deal with the experience, we often refer to these as “traumatizing.”  I’ve never heard trauma contextualized in this way before, but it makes a certain amount of sense to me. It affords my younger self a little bit more grace in the face of trauma. To see trauma as a relative co ..read more

I got this question from a current student. It’s one I get in one form or another quite a lot. I hope my answer inspires you to dare. “Thanks for the class today. I am struggling with my paint strokes. Not sure if it is because of my brushes or just me. Probably both. You said to paint the shapes and then keep moving. Am I supposed to blend the shapes it just work putting them down?” Thanks for your help! It’s definitely not you. It’s always our ego that stops us. It’s normal and understandable. Instead of stopping you, use your ego to give you permission to be bold. Dare. Paint badly. Yo ..read more

A Circus Barker: Folks, ya simply won’t believe how you’ve managed to live without picture lights. The light reflected by an original oil painting into a room is at least 375 times richer and warmer than any fancy lamp you’ll ever own! Prints and posters are fine too at only 125 times richer and warmer than original artwork. That’s a 33.333333% advantage over prints. Plus, it’s magical; That means the light reflecting into a room from picture lights is immeasurable! 0 You wouldn’t have been the first and you certainly won’t be the last person to realize quality art actually radiates with ..read more