BIO

Robert Neff, born in Ohio, is a photographer, contemporary artist, writer, and social advocate, who resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Robert is an award-winning professional photographer. He uses photography as a narrative to share his experiences and to tell the story. The work captures the unprepared moment and action. His work puts your there and offers an emotional connection.

Robert has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines, and travel magazines. He is also a writer with a published book and articles in newspapers and journals. In addition, he has investigated and reported on transparency in government, communities, and business and social issues.

Robert specializes in weather, international events, sports (Rugby Club Level and international level, soccer and Grand Prix), NASA launches and behind the scenes, lifestyle, boats and sailing, nature, wildlife, and travel and tourism. Living in St. Petersburg, Robert has nature preserves, wildlife, pristine beaches and water activities and sports minutes from his home. He also has a front seat for the Tampa Bay tourism vibe. He has been documenting the Tampa Bay weather for the past four years.

Robert’s had a successful contemporary art solo show at Art Miami’s Spectrum Miami 2015. The work was very well received. His photography and storytelling are the inspiration and basis for his contemporary art.

His latest book is titled, Interview with the Pelican. This combines Robert’s photography and storytelling. The Pelican Beakon, the pelican newspaper, interviews Lois, the White Pelican, on how she created #PelicanYoga and founded its world headquarters at the Maximo Seafood Shack. But trouble looms for Lois when she is forced to battle Chicago Investors who want to close the old Florida seafood shack.

ARTIST STATEMENT. Robert’s dynamic and vibrant mixed media artwork engages the senses. His photography is the inspiration for his two styles, abstract and geometric mixed media. His complex geometric designs redefine photography’s boundaries.

Robert finds and extracts the photograph’s DNA to create geometric designs. The DNA building block’s colors, tones, and shapes are used to develop and the basis for the design. Robert’s geometric designs have drawn comparisons to the Op Art movement.

When the geometric design is viewed from afar, patterns, texture, and colors offer a unique work. As you approach, the underlying design emerges. Stand directly in front to see the design’s detail that was previously unseen.

Robert’s work is based upon a creative need to explore and reshape perception. His travel and tourism, nature, event, and wildlife photography enhances the connection to the artwork. His passion to tell a story with photo essays has translated into mixed media.

Copyright ©2016 Robert Neff. All Rights Reserved.