Grosse Pointe News

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Artist hosts demonstration, workshopFree Access


Robert Maniscalco standing in the hallway where his paintings are hung. Photos by Renee Landuyt

The artwork of former City of Grosse Pointe resident Robert Maniscalco has been on exhibit at The War Memorial since January.

“Quench,” features several pieces from his award-winning The Quench Project, which was inspired by a 2014 mission trip to Haiti, as well as some of the artist’s favorites from his catalogue. The exhibition runs through Saturday, March 26.

“I love the way my solo show came together,” he said. “Each of the 32 paintings reflect on the theme of myriad ways we find to quench our desire. It gently directs us to refocus our desires on what is most important. Find out what I think that is, in person.”

This month, Maniscalco returns from South Carolina to host a free artist talk and painting demonstration, followed by a two-day workshop, to share his technique with interested parties.

The artist talk and painting demonstration take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, and will feature a live model. Maniscalco will discuss his process and the philosophy behind his work while he paints.

His “Power of Positive Painting” workshop takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 25, and Saturday, March 26. It also will focus on the live model and include a few salient exercises that will bring home the fundamentals of value-based painting to intermediate and advanced level artists.

“It’s for those who want to see the process from beginning to end,” he said. “I’m not there to train people to paint like me. I will give them the tools so they can paint the way they see the world.

“… That’s the beauty of art,” he added. “You take what you hear and that becomes your method. It’s presenting a clear-cut process that is subject to interpretation.”

Maniscalco owned and operated Maniscalco Gallery in Grosse Pointe from 1997 to 2005, and is a well-known commission portrait painter.

He released the book, “The Power of Positive Painting,” last year. In it, he shares with readers what goes into his process, breaking down everything he does into a method.

“There are certain basic visual hallmarks common to all representations and work,” he said. “It’s our job to find those connections. Once we have them, we have fun, we play. It’s a visual anchor to build from. How you build from it is what makes you different from the next person.”

To register for the “Power of Positive Painting” two-day workshop, visit grossepointeartcenter.org or call (313) 881-3454. Early-bird registration ends Monday, March 21.