Artist Statement for Fifth World Art's Robert Neff

My work encompases photography, contemporary art and writing. I am a poet, story teller and photo essayist. My passion is finding and sharing the back story! Many times I do this by using social media to cover events, travels and walkabouts.

"While cubism and abstract art were my early influences, I had always been drawn to geometrics and the palettes found in both nature’s organic life and inanimate objects."

PHOTOGRAPHY. This a visual experience that reaches beyond the realm of traditional photography. The work encompasses a broad subject matter and visual spectrum. The work is about noticing what people miss in their daily travels. Then using the lens to reveal the image such that you see a different perspective.

Natural Patterns. This a visual experience that reaches beyond the realm of traditional photography. The work uses natural light and encompasses a broad subject matter and visual spectrum. The work is about discovering what people miss in their daily travels. Then I use the lens to capture the image so your eyes and mind can feel this perspective.

Subject Matter. The Suncoast area of Florida is one of my favorite areas to explore with the camera. The area is rich with color and texture. Located along Florida’s west coast from Tarpon Springs to Naples, I mainly focus on St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach and local area, but am free to wander. This area is a photographer’s paradise.

In addition to the Suncoast, my choices range from people, animas, flora, sunsets, buildings, “scapes”. I also specialize in live events and lifestyle photo shoots. Again, I use natural light to capture the setting.

CONTEMPORARY ART. The work uses a style I developed, which I call Kaleidoscopography. This uses an image’s natural tones and hues to create an energy that is attractive to both the mind and spirit. The work reaffirms that color and imagery can capture your interest without being based upon computer-generated media. The work has produced several design collections as well as individual works.

Kaleidoscopography produces vibrant patterns that are rich with the original image’s color, hues and tonal properties. The work changes your visual experience when you adjust your distance and angle. The work has created stunning art collections, as well as textiles and patterns. The Zurich Collection is a comprehensive study in design. There are three main areas: Palm Seed Pod, Zurich Collection and Transformations. All have been very well received.

Palm Seed Pod Collection uses the palm tree’s seed pod to explore art and design. This has produced four volumes. Each provides a different perspective on the original design. I enjoy watching people become drawn into the work and describe what they see.

Zurich Collection is about elegance, power and energy that push the design envelope and color palette. The work started as a technical study but quickly expanded into a vibrant and powerful art and design. The color and elements encourage reflection, peace, passion, prosperity and inspiration. This contains three volumes where each is distinct, while being based upon the elements of one image.

Transformations are designs that can standalone as a work of art but can also be used for fashion designs. Creating these is about what I am able to discover, then nurture.

Several of the designs in the collections are well-suited for textiles, fabrics, rugs, sheets and wallpaper.

WRITING. A published writer, I have contributed to newspapers, articles and blogs for travel, sports and business.

In 2002, my voice found a release in poetry. My first work, Selected Works from Reconnecting With Life, has been copyrighted. This uses prose to reevaluate my journey and life’s direction.

I have three books to self-publish:

• justsaying, a candid look at life, through quips, sarcasm, snark, truth and observations.
• Blending Words on Images combines my poetry with my photography. Over sixty of my photographs or works of art are the setting for captions extracted or adapted from my poetry.
• Selected Works from Reconnecting With Life was originally copyrighted in 2006. I have since the revised the book and awaiting its initial release. This is a collection of five volumes of poetry: Private Reflections, Personal Observation, Social Commentary, Romantic Interludes and Compassion and Empathy. Though each volume has the strength to stand on its own, each shares a common thread. Collectively, they form an arch that provided a sanctuary for me to reconnect with life and tell this story.

All work on Fifth World Art, Flickr, Youtube and other uses is protected by the Creative Commons License.

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