Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust (2009)

Posted on August 29, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust, Artist tent — Artist tent at Ives Farm,
Cheshire, Connecticut

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust was my first art fundraising event. Until then, I focused on showing my work at high-end galleries and art leagues. Doing something local felt good after traveling all over Connecticut and New York the past year. (You can read the press release.)

Setting Up (9-29-2009) – Art in Good Taste Fundraiser

At first, I was a little nervous because I had never done an event like this, but as the day progressed, I started to relax and then had a good time. I want to participate in more fundraising events like this in the future. I have also begun researching the equipment I need for events like this. Thankfully the sponsors provided me with a table, chair, and hanging wall this time.

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, Setting up before event

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, Setting up before event, Joshua adding labels

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, Setting up before event, Joshua posing for camera

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, Setup completed, full booth

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, Setup completed, back wall

The Art Show and Auction: (9-29-2009) – Art in Good Taste Fundraiser

There was a second tent for the food and musicians. People mingled between that tent and the artist tent where I was located. I met and talked with many people as the evening progressed, including fellow artists. By the time I went home, I was flying high from all the compliments I received about my paintings. I had one of my new reproductions (‘Summer in the Valley’) sell at the event auction. Of all the items sold at the auction, my painting reproduction brought the second-highest price!

*“Summer in the Valley”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, John O'Keefe Jr. sitting at his booth waiting for the crowds

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, John O'Keefe and Carla Koch — **John O’Keefe and Carla Koch**
(Carla is a Cheshire resident and fellow exhibiting artist.
Carla’s mother is the famous artist Charlotte Joan Sternberg.)

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser, Art patrons start arriving.

Ives Farm - John O'Keefe working his booth and talking with art patrons

Joshua and Danielle helped me at the show: Joshua worked earlier and labeled all my paintings and reproductions. Danielle worked with me for the event and handed out business cards. Danielle also took most of the pictures of the event.

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust, Misc. picture of the event

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust, Misc. picture of the event, Cheshire artist Angela Orsene

Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust, Misc. picture of the event, John O'Keefe seen through the crowd

Concluding Thoughts

The Art in Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm by Cheshire Land Trust was a different experience for me. At gallery opening receptions, you mingle around as part of the crowd. Here, you have your booth, people walk by, and you are the focus of their attention. I received more feedback from people and had great conversations than at most other events.

John O’Keefe Jr. is Featured Artist at Art In Good Taste Fundraiser (2009)

Posted on August 27, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

An opportunity arose to do something locally with my art. After the last several exhibitions, either in a different state or very far away, I was ready to slow down. Guess who was chosen to be the Featured Artist? John O’Keefe Jr. is Featured Artist at Art In Good Taste Fundraiser at Ives Farm in Cheshire, Connecticut. The Cheshire Land Trust sponsoring the event. Following is the official press release.

John O'Keefe Jr. is Featured Artist at Art In Good Taste Fundraiser — **Press release for Cheshire Land Trust fundraising event Art in Good Taste at Ives Farm**

Also, check out the event post.

53rd Regional Exhibition by Mystic Art Association (2009 – Drop-Off)

Posted on August 14, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

It is time for the 53rd Regional Exhibition by Mystic Art Association. Exhibitions like these are similar to job interviews. The first meeting is to review your portfolio (i.e., resume). If you pass that, you go to the next phase of being judged against other candidates (i.e., meeting more people who review your work and give you a thumbs-up or thumbs-down). Lastly, you might get to do a walk-through (i.e., the exhibition).

Artwork Drop-Off (8-?-2009) – 53rd Regional Exhibition

Here I am dropping off two paintings: “Big Cork Tree” (not accepted into the exhibition) and “Summer in the Valley” (accepted in the exhibition). I never presume which of my paintings will be well received, and it varies from judge to judge and patron to patron. However, I always get excited to hear what people think of my paintings.

53rd Regional Exhibition, John O'Keefe dropping of 'Summmer on the Valley' and 'big cork tree' — **John O’Keefe on Receiving Day**

Mystic Art Center (8-14-2009) – 53rd Regional Exhibition

We missed the opening reception of the 53rd Regional Exhibition by Mystic Art Association. We had personal scheduling conflicts, and the exhibition lost out. But my family and I did visit the gallery on a different date to view the show. Below are some pictures taken during that visit.

53rd Regional Exhibition,Visiting the gallery - John O'Keefe and 'Summer on the Valley' — *“Summer in the Valley”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

53rd Regional Exhibition,Visiting the Gallery View 1

53rd Regional Exhibition, Visiting the Gallery View 2

53rd Regional Exhibition, Visiting the Gallery View 3

Concluding Thoughts – 53rd Regional Exhibition

I’ve learned something else since starting this art journey: it is hard work. People generally think artists do nothing but sit at their easel and make art all day long when in reality, that is just a fraction of where their time, energy, and money go. There is a lot of research on venues and galleries, traveling and meeting people, gas and eating out expenses, self-promotion expenses, commissions if you sell a work, tax on sales, etc.

Here is a brief breakdown for just one painting I sold: $1,900.00 for the painting. Deducted from that sale were sales tax, gallery commission, and FOUR trips to the venue (the interview, the drop-off, the opening reception, and the pick-up). For me, these trips always included my family, so we had lunches and dinners out. When all the expenses were added and deducted from the sale, I pocketed about $350.00 out of the $1,900.00. And that painting took over two weeks to create! These experiences taught me firsthand the meaning behind the phrase “starving artist.” You have to be genuinely committed to your craft if you want to make a career out of being an artist.

About the Judge – 53rd Regional Exhibition

Carolina Pedraza publicity photograph — **Carolina Pedraza**

Carolina Pedraza is the Head of Youth & Family Programs at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, a national leader in the exhibition of challenging contemporary art and the emergence of mid-career artists. 1

Footnotes:

Bio information is taken from Mystic Art Center ‘call to artists’ exhibition press release.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club (2009)

Posted on July 10, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

This was the big day, the Opening Reception and Award Ceremony for the 2009 Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club, my first exhibition in New York City. The reception was to take place between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. But first, we planned to leave Connecticut early and see some of the sites in the city.

Walking Around New York City – 2009 Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

We planned to leave early and see some New York City sites. Our friend Joan Shackford (president of the Cheshire Art League of Cheshire, Connecticut) accompanied us.

John O'Keefe and family at Washington Square in New York City — Our first stop was to visit Washington Square.
(located just a few blocks from the Salmagundi Club)

Joshua and Danielle at Washington Square — **Joshua and Danielle in Washington Square**

From Washington Square, it was down to SoHo for some lunch. We enjoyed a lovely meal at an outdoor Italian restaurant. We planned to visit some art galleries but learned that many had moved uptown to the Chelsea area. However, we did manage to find a few galleries to visit.

John O'Keefe and family with Joan Shackford at outdoor restaurant — **Stopping for lunch in SoHo**

On the way back to the Salmagundi Club, our group split; Jennifer, Joan, and Danielle made a detour to the bakery Magnolias, and Joshua and I went straight to the Salmagundi Club.

Opening Reception and Award Ceremony (7-10-2009) – Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

The big moment had arrived! Almost like clockwork, at around 6:00 PM, the gallery started filling, and it soon became a packed house.

*“The Field’s Edge”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, The Fields Edge by John O'Keefe Jr. — *“The Field’s Edge”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Joshua, Danielle, Jennifer, Ernie Sterlacci, and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Joshua, Danielle, Jennifer, Ernie Sterlacci, and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Ernie Sterlacci, Joan Shackford, Jennifer O'Keefe, and Ernie Sterlacci — **Joan Shackford, Jennifer O’Keefe, and Ernie Sterlacci**

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, guests start arriving

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, more guests arriving

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Ernie Sterlacci and John O'Keefe — **Ernie Sterlacci and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Joshua and Danielle hanging out — **Joshua and Danielle hanging out in front of the Salmagundi Club**

Award Ceremony – Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Around 6:45 PM, the Award Ceremony started. The artwork at this show was exceptional, and I was honored to have been accepted to be among such great artists.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, guest assemble to view award ceremony

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, guests viewing the award ceremony

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Danielle and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Danielle and John O’Keefe Jr. pose for a quick picture.**

Enjoying the Exhibition

After the Award Ceremony concluded, people began moving around and mingling again. Joshua spent most of his time listening to the live jazz band The Jeevan D’Souza Trio. He had recently begun learning to play guitar, and he was not going to pass up a chance to see live musicians playing up close.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, The Jeevan D'Souza Trio — **The Jeevan D’Souza Trio**

A little later in the evening, a close family friend, Ann Benedetto, who lives near the Salmagundi Club, showed up. Ann was my mother’s best friend when they grew up together in Astoria. Ann lives and works in Manhattan and owns a clothing store in Tribeca called “ANue.”

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Ernie Sterlacci, Ann Benedetto, and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Ernie Sterlacci, Ann Benedetto, and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Ann Benedetto and Ernie Sterlacci — **Ann Benedetto and Ernie Sterlacci**

The evening was exciting. I met several artists, and we exchanged congratulations on being in the exhibit. Later, I was introduced to the president of the Salmagundi Club, Claudia Seymore, by another elected member, Christine Ivers. I know Christine from the Connecticut art scene. Christine and Claudia sponsored me, and I filled out a membership application and submitted my portfolio, which I hope will be approved. The reception ended around 8:30 PM, and it was time to head back to Connecticut.

Heading Back to Connecticut – 2009 Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Joshua snapped the following photos as we left the city. They are pretty good, so I decided to close this journal entry using them.

Jennifer and John O'Keefe in New York City

Joshua O'Keefe photograph of New York City streets

Joshua O'Keefe photograp himself in New York City — **The best photograph of the evening, Joshua’s self-portrait!**

Concluding Thoughts

So ends the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club. Today was another one of those days that was overwhelming for me. My art journey feels like it just keeps getting better and better. My previous success at the Lyme Art Association and a possible elected membership at the Salmagundi Club. I couldn’t be more pleased.

Check out the drop-off for this exhibition.

Painting Drop-Off for the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club (2009)

Posted on June 27, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Salmagundi Club — Salmagundi Club,
New York, New York

I was expanding my reach out of Connecticut and into New York City. My first out-of-state exhibit was at the Salmagundi Club. Join me as I journey to the painting drop-off for the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition judging and selection process.

Artwork Dropoff (6-27-2009) – Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Jennifer and I woke the family early for our trip to New York City, where we would drop off my painting entitled “The Field’s Edge” at the Salmagundi Club. We always include the children in these activities connected with my paintings – We try to make these trips a fun family outing. I was incredibly excited about this trip because this exhibition is my first showing outside Connecticut and in New York City at the prestigious Salmagundi Club of all places. Very Exciting!

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Drop Off

Visiting Uncle Ernie Sterlacci in Astoria, Queens, New York

Once the painting was safely delivered to the Salmagundi Club, we traveled to Astoria, Queens, New York, to visit with my Uncle Ernie. He lives in the house where I spent most of my childhood summers, which always brings back memories when I visit. Also, we took some time to have dinner at our favorite pizzeria down the street.

John O'Keefe and Joshua hanging out on the front stoop — **Joshua O’Keefe and John O’Keefe Jr. hanging out on the front stoop.**

John and Jennifer O'Keefe — **Jennifer O’Keefe and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Ernie Sterllacci — **Uncle Ernie Sterlacci**

John O'Keefe and family about to eat dinner. — **The family getting ready to enjoy a meal.**

Visiting Aunt Anne Fucich in Astoria, Queens, New York

Before returning to Connecticut, we had to stop and visit my Aunt Anne Fucich, whom we affectionately call Teta Annie. She was my first art instructor as a child and is 92 years old and still living on her own in Queens. We stayed for a while, reminisced about the early days, and talked about art. Teta Anne was very excited about my painting that was accepted into the Salmagundi Club exhibition.

Teti Anne Fucich at her apartment in Queens, New York — **Teta Anne and my family relaxing at her apartment in Queens.**

Artist Anne Fucich posing for the camera — **Anne Fucich**

Below are some thoughts Teta Annie shared with us during the visit:

“People say painting is stressful, but I think it’s the opposite. Because once you begin, the ideas start flowing, and before you know it… poof… you have a painting.”

“My problem was that once I started, I just could not stop… I’ll just finish this color, and then it was I’ll just finish the next color and the next, and I just could not stop once I started.”

“I don’t think parents teach their children to be interested in art the way they used to. Today everyone watches T.V. It’s T.V. all day long, and people are not out and doing things. A little boy in my building sits in front of his T.V. from 9:00 in the morning until who knows when. I guess the mother is resting or something… (Laughter) …Give the kid a box of crayons and a coloring book, and let him start that way.”

Artist Anne Fucich saying goodby — **Until next time.**

The next time we will be back in New York is for the opening reception. I hope you enjoyed this little journey, my painting drop-off for the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition.