Rebecca Neef The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.” -- Friedrich Nietzsche

 “Like Nietzsche, I feel that truly beautiful art is a statement of gratitude for the privilege of viewing or experiencing what has been portrayed.”

“Whether I attempt to portray a landscape that moves me, the wondrous nuances of the human form and face, or the sensuous organic shapes and colors of fruits and vegetables in a still life, I am making a statement of gratitude to have experienced a brush with these natural wonders."

Born in Austin, Texas, Rebecca Neef has been sketching and painting since early childhood. At age 8, she met a locally reknowned Texas landscape artist,and the encounter caused her to decide then and there on a career in art. This decision was strengthened 5 years later when she met her neighbor, famed Austin sculptor Charles Umlauf, who convinced her to pursue sculpture studies as well.

She studied drawing and painting at Laguna Gloria Museum Art School, and studied sculpture at the Elizabet Ney Sculpture Conservatory.

After specializing in canine & equine portraiture for 15 years, with clients across the USA and in England, Germany, and Canada, Rebecca is taking a break from commissioned work, in order to focus on landscape and the still life, painting from life rather than from photographic reference, and is studying with some of the country's top painters in these fields. 

She is also undertaking an intensive period of study of the human form, as well as drawing and painting from the live model, both in group sessions and in her studio, in preparation for her return to portraiture, with a new emphasis on the corporate portrait.

Rebecca Neef is a member of Oil Painters of America, The Outdoor Painters Society, Plein Air Austin, The Austin Pastel Society, and Central Texas Pastel Society. She lives in the countryside near Austin, Texas, with her husband and their numerous dogs.

You may e-mail the artist at: jneef@austin.rr.com