About The Artist
Artist Statement
Robert J. Simone
Rooted in a modest upbringing which included boating, fishing, drawing and painting with my father, I have grown to prefer the simple things and find extraordinary beauty in ordinary places. I am moved by the enduring coastal scenes of old Florida, its marshes, estuaries, harbors and villages. My passion for oil painting demands that I capture the natural beauty of Florida before the rising tides of progress engulf its unique character in the inaccessible world of private communities and marinas. I do so with a sense of gratitude towards State and County governments for their efforts at preserving the original Florida in our wonderful parks and reserves.
My Process
Robert J. Simone
I paint on location regularly, using a limited palette. These small scale field studies are either developed into finished “Plein Air” paintings or used as
reference material for larger studio pieces.
Artist’s Resume
Recent Awards & Exhibitions:
- 2009 Crescent Beach Paint Out
- 2009 Painting the Bartram Trail Plein Air Event
- 2009 Florida’s Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitational
- 2009 Dudley Farm Paint Out sponsored by Florida’s Eden
- 2009 “Paint Out In Paradise”, Venice Fl
- 2008 Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitational
- Exhibition of Select Plein Air Paintings in Mayor Rick Baker’s Office, St. Petersburg, Fl May 2008
- Juried selection to participate in Creative Capital workshop sponsored by State of Florida Cultural Affairs
- 3rd Place “Paintout in Paradise 2008” Venice, Fl
- Cultural Affairs Grant 2008 Pinellas Co., Fl
- “Paint the Town” 2007 St. Petersburg, Fl
- “Paintout in Paradise” 2007
- The National Arts Program Exhibition 2006.
- Honorable Mention “Paint the Town 2006” St. Pete.
- Honorable Mention in “Paint Out in Paradise” Venice Florida 2006
- Award of Excellence “Paint the Town 2005”
- Award of Merit 2005 “Paint Out” Crescent Beach, Florida
Memberships & Civic Involvement
- Faculty Staff at Suntan Fine Arts
- Workshop Instructor at Indian Rocks Beach Art Center
- Workshop Instructor at Art Alliance of Boca Grande
- Artist’s Alliance of North Florida (AAONF)
- Plein Air Florida Signature Member
- Founding President of St. Petersburg Representational Art Association, Inc. (SPRAA)
Education
- BSCE University of So. Florida 1992
- Techniques of the Masters with Luis De La Lama St. Petersburg Arts Center 2004-05
- Anthony Ryder Figure Drawing Workshop Armory Arts Center 2005
- Christopher Still Plein Air Painting Workshop 2005
- Clayton Beck Portrait Workshop 2006
- Mary Erickson Landscape Painting Workshop 2007
- Scott Christensen 10-Day Intensive Landscape Painting Workshop, Victor, Idaho 2007
- Creative Capital Marketing Workshop 2008
- Scott Christensen 10-Day Advanced Landscape Painting Workshop, Victor, Idaho 2008



