Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club (2010)

Posted on March 18, 2010 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Important news to announce, I was recently accepted as a member of the Salmagundi Club! I thank Claudia Seymore and Christine Ivers for sponsoring me. My first member event is the Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club. I decided to submit two small paintings at this event, and I included two short videos showing me going through the auction process.

Event Literature – Spring Auctions

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, Brochure front — **Front View of Event Brochure**

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, Brochure back — **Back View of Event Brochure**

Exhibition Drop-Off (2-27-2010) – Spring Auctions

We made it safely to the drop-off for the 2010 Spring Exhibition and Auction at the Salmagundi Club. Recently I participated in a local auction near my home, but this was a much bigger event. I am very excited to go through this process at the Salmagundi Club. I entered two early and more miniature paintings, “New England River” and “The Road Home.”

*“New England River”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, John O'Keefe Jr. with paintings 'New England River' and 'The Road Home'

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, John O'Keefe filling out entry form

Opening Reception (3-5-2010) – Spring Auctions

I had one of my paintings accepted into the Exhibition/Action (“The Road Home”), so we planned to take the family to the opening reception. However, due to poor planning on my part, we did not make it to the opening reception on time. We left Connecticut too late and hit heavy traffic upon entering New York, which proved fatal for us, making it to the opening reception on time. We did film the day’s events and produced the following video.

Salmagundi Auction Part 1 of 2
(A short 11-minute and 15-second video documentary of John O’Keefe Jr. at the Salmagundi Club 2010 Spring Auctions. Opening Reception Day!)

John O'Keefe's painting The Road Home at The Salmagundi Club — John O’Keefe Jr. painting “*The Road Home.*“

Salmagundi Club post reception main gallery — **Salmagundi Club main gallery – post reception**

Auction Day (3-18-2010) – Spring Auctions

The auction day went better than the day we had for the opening reception. We arrived in New York early enough to have dinner and be at the auction well before the auction start time. I was nervous when my painting came up, but that soon turned to excitement when it sold. After the auction, Jennifer and I mingled for a while, and we met several well-known artists, including Del-Bouree Bach and Charles Bierman.

Salmagundi Auction Part 2 of 2
(A short 10-minute and 2-second video documentary of John O’Keefe Jr. at the Salmagundi Club 2010 Spring Auctions. Auction Day!)

Jennifer and John O'Keefe eat at Knickerbocker's Bar & Grill — Jennifer and John O’Keefe Jr.
at Knickerbocker’s Bar & Grill in New York City

Helen Dayton and her award winning watercolor 'Old Door Renewed' — Helen Dayton and her award-winning watercolor “*Old Door Renewed.*“

Charles Bierman and John O'Keefe talking after the auction — **Charles Bierman and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League (2009)

Posted on November 18, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

After the good time I had at the Ives Farm fundraiser, I was ready for another local event. I signed up for the Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League.

Show Drop-Off (11-18-2009) – Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery

The artwork dropoff was scheduled for the day before the show was open to the public. Here is a picture of my simple setup. Nothing is fancy; only five of my smaller paintings are nicely displayed.

Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery, John O'Keefe painting display wall — **John O’Keefe Jr. at his display wall.**

Opening Reception (11-19-2009) – Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the opening reception. My friend Joan Shackford took the following pictures of the event.

Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery, Dale Spaner — **Dale Spaner**

Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery, Ron Gagliardi and Karla Koch — **Ron Gagliardi and Karla Koch**

Concluding Thoughts (…and Cheshire Nursery plug)

The Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League was another lovely experience. My wife and I have bought many plants for our garden through the Cheshire Nursery. They have even specially ordered plants we researched. Here is a photo of some plants from the Chesire Nursery.

One More “Provocative” Comment about the Art Scene

I want to discuss another feeling I had during this Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League. Some might consider doing an art show at a local “garden shop” detrimental to their “artistic resume.” I don’t hold that view. I’ve been around the bigger, more reputable galleries and art associations, and there is a definite attitude shift among patrons between the two that I’m uncomfortable with. I can only be blunt about my observations in terms I relate to upper-class versus middle/lower-class mentality. Please don’t hate me for saying that because I get both perspectives.

Do I have a bias? Yes! I’m not in the upper class and have never been there. I find that middle/lower-class folks are more personal and easy-going, and upper-class folks are more egotistical, snobby, and worried about the financial aspect of art collecting. (I’m not saying all rich people are this way… but there is a noticeable percentage in my experience.)

Once, I debated with the owner of an upper-class galley about reproduction giclee prints I was offering on my website. Partway through the exhibition, we argued about me selling giclee reproductions of my paintings. Their client didn’t want to buy one of my original paintings because the idea that a “copy” of the painting existed elsewhere in the world was a deal breaker. I was shocked that someone could demand I not let other people also have access to my art, albeit in a reproduction form at a much cheaper price than an original painting.

Ultimately, the client bought the original painting because it was beautiful, and I genuinely appreciate them for that, but the experience left me with a bad feeling. I saw a significant attitude shift between people with money and people just getting by. The view of art between the two was obvious, an “investment” and prestige versus something beautiful you want to hang on a wall and look at. This is my honest observation and opinion. This experience changed my feelings about pursuing the “big league” art scene as hard as I had been.

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.