2010 Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League

Posted on October 9, 2010 by John O'Keefe Jr.

It’s time again for the 2010 Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League. I scheduled my time better this time, and I will attend the opening reception.

Drop-Off (10-8-2010) – Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery

The artwork dropoff was scheduled for the day before the show was open to the public. Here are some pictures of my setup. I included seven Giclee reproductions, nicely displayed, and sold two.

John O'Keefe giclee reproduction display wall - small works

John O'Keefe giclee reproduction display wall - large works

John O'Keefe giclee reproduction display wall - closeup image

Opening Reception (10-9-2010) – Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery

The Cheshire Art League opening reception was held with another Cheshire Nursery art show opening reception sponsored by the local garden club members. That shows featured floral arrangements. Both receptions were well attended.

Floral Arrangement Show Opening Reception Space

John O'Keefe Jr. attends floral arrangement reception - image 1

John O'Keefe Jr. attends floral arrangement reception - image 2

John O'Keefe Jr. attends floral arrangement reception - image 3

John O'Keefe Jr. attends floral arrangement reception - image 4

John O'Keefe Jr. attends floral arrangement reception - image 5

John O'Keefe Jr. attends floral arrangement reception - image 6

Art Show and Sale Opening Reception Space

2010 Art Show & Sale, John O'Keefe Jr. attends art show reception - image 1

2010 Art Show & Sale, John O'Keefe Jr. attends art show reception - image 2

2010 Art Show & Sale, John O'Keefe Jr. attends art show reception - image 3

2010 Art Show & Sale, John O'Keefe Jr. attends art show reception - image 4

2010 Art Show & Sale, John O'Keefe Jr. attends art show reception - image 5

2010 Art Show & Sale, John O'Keefe Jr. attends art show reception - image 6

Cheshire Artists – 2010 Art Show & Sale

Art show receptions are always fun. They are a time to meet with longtime friends and make new ones. On this night, I met a very successful Connecticut artist, Tony Falcone. Tony, his wife Judith Andrews, and I talked for a while, and I look forward to meeting them again at future Cheshire Art League events. I also had the chance to hang out and chat with some other artist friends, Carla Koch, John Mackay, and Martin Gent, all fellow Cheshire Art League members.

Art Show & Sale, Connecticut artist Tony Falcone — **Tony Falcone, Judith Andrews (center), and friends**

Connecticut artist and muralist.
Learn more about Tony Falcone at:
www.falconeartstudio.com

Art Show & Sale, Cheshire Art League member Carla Koch — **Carla Koch**

Carla is the daughter of the famous American artist Charlotte Joan Sternberg.
Learn more about Carla (Sternberg) Koch and Charlotte Joan Sternberg at:
www.carlasternbergkoch.com
www.charlottejoansternberg.com

Art Show & Sale, Cheshire Art League members John Mackay and Martin Gent — **John Mackay and Martin Gent**

Concluding Thoughts

Another great local set of shows. The 2010 Art Show & Sale at Cheshire Nursery by Cheshire Art League was a success. I got to meet Tony Falcone and his wife, and we shared a story about the time we crashed into each other in our cars but didn’t know each other at the time. It was during the ordinary course of conversation that we made the connection about that accident. We all laughed about it. Overall I had a good time.

Landscape Oil Painting Presentation by John O’Keefe Jr. (2010)

Posted on May 11, 2010 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Landscape Oil Painting Presentation by John O'Keefe Jr., Setting up for slide show — **Setting up for the Slide Show (05-11-2010)**

I was approached by the Cheshire Art League late in 2009 and asked if I would give a presentation on my painting process and techniques. I accepted the invitation and began working right away. The final PowerPoint presentation contained over 140 detailed and automated slides documenting the significant elements of my painting process from conception to the end sale. The final product is a Landscape Oil Painting Presentation by John O’Keefe Jr.

Preparing the Presentation

Preparing for the presentation was very enlightening to me. The time I spent reviewing and meditating on my methods and techniques helped me to grow in appreciation for how I work. The presentation also helped me progress toward another goal: recording and producing my series of landscape oil painting “how to” videos and DVDs.

Once I had the draft presentation put together, I invited some respected friends (and fellow art enthusiasts) over for dinner, and I used them as my test audience. They enjoyed the presentation, saying it was very professionally done, and I incorporated some of their suggestions into the final document.

Presentation Day (5/11/2010)

Landscape Oil Painting Presentation by John O'Keefe Jr. gets introduced to Cheshire Art League members by Joan shackford

The slide show presentation took about 1-1/2 hours to give, which included an open discussion, questions, and answers. Also, I brought several completed and in-progress paintings. This allowed patrons to examine examples of my work firsthand. After concluding the slide show presentation, I discussed and answered many more questions about my artwork and techniques.

Question and Answers After the Presentation (5/11/2010)

John O'Keefe meeting and talking with members of Cheshire Art League

John O'Keefe meeting and talking with patrons of Cheshire Art League

Landscape Oil Painting Presentation by John O'Keefe Jr., People viewing the landscape paintings

After the presentation, I received many compliments. Below are some comments from C.A.L. members, as recorded by my daughter, Danielle, who passed around a guest book.

“Excellent essay on composition. People know so little about it.” ~ Joan

“Marvelous and clear presentation.” ~ Angela Orsene

“Beautifully narrated and wonderful paintings.” ~ Lucy

“Excellent presentation and beautiful pictures. You have a very organized thought process which is helpful to the viewer.” ~ Ann

Sample Slides from the Presentation

Sample slides from John O'Keefe landscape oil painting presentation

Concluding Thoughts

This was another excellent learning experience for me. Over the last few years, I have attended many guest artist presentations, and now I have done one of my own. I hope you enjoyed reading about the Landscape Oil Painting Presentation by John O’Keefe Jr.

Also, click to view the entire presentation slide series in PDF format.

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League (2010)

Posted on April 17, 2010 by John O'Keefe Jr.

It was time again for the 2010 Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League. I was busy taking photographs for the Cheshire Art League website assignment I was given. But, more interesting was Jennifer O’Keefe submitted a photograph to the exhibition and won an award!

Event Literature – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Event Brochure — **Event Brochure**

Receiving, Hanging, and Judging (3/10/2010) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Exhibition Receiving Crew: Joan Shackford — **Receiving Crew**

Exhibition Hanging Crew: — **Hanging Crew**

Opening Reception and Award Ceremony (3/27/2010) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 1

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 3

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 5

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 2

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 6

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 4

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 7

Visual Arts Exhibition, Reception and award ceremony - image 8

Short Video: Award Ceremony
(A short 1-minute and 43-second video documentary of the Cheshire Art League 2010 Exhibition.)

Short Video: “Old Fashion Winter”
(A short 2-minute and 5-second video documentary of Jennifer O’Keefe’s Award in Photography for best photograph at the Cheshire Art League 2010 Exhibition award ceremony.)

Concluding Thoughts

As is always the case with Chesire Art League exhibits, there was a nice crowd of friendly faces, many good conversations and laughter, food and drink, and a really good time. It is very generous that the Cheshire Public Library hosted the 2010 Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League.

About the Judge – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Beth Ellis publicity photograph — **Beth Ellis**

Beth Ellis is a dedicated en plein air artist and instructor who paints and teaches outdoors year-round along the Maine coast and in Connecticut, alongside rolling farmlands and Connecticut River sites. After graduating from Paier College of Art in Connecticut, Beth worked as a designer and illustrator. Today, Beth has a thriving gallery at Perkins Cove in Maine, where she exhibits paintings of rural and coastal New England. She has received many awards for her paintings, which she exhibits in various select and prestigious outdoor-juried shows, such as the Bruce Museum Show in Greenwich, CT, and the Armonk Outdoor Art Show in Armonk, NY. Her works in oil can be found in private and public collections from coast to coast and various Northeast galleries. 1, 2

Footnotes:

Image of Beth Ellis from www.legacy.com ~ 2014
Bio information for Beth Ellis from the exhibition brochure.

Jennifer O’Keefe’s Award in Photography (2010)

Posted on March 31, 2010 by John O'Keefe Jr.

In 2010, the Cheshire Art League sponsored its Annual Exhibition. Jennifer O’Keefe entered one of her photographs, “Old Fashion Winter.” To Jennifer’s great surprise, she won an award for her photograph. The exhibition judge was Connecticut artist Beth Ellis. Beth commented on the photograph, saying, “So much warmth for such a cool image.” Therefore, congratulations were for Jennifer O’Keefe’s Award in Photography.

Jennifer’s O’Keefe’s Award in Photography at Cheshire Art League Exhibition

Jennifer captured the image while she and I were stuck in traffic during a snowstorm. The photograph came out so good that she decided to frame it and enter it into the exhibition. Here is the photograph.

Old Fashion Winter, Award in Photography, Photograph, 8x10, Jennifer O'Keefe, 2010 — ***“Old Fashion Winter”***
Photograph, 8×10,
Jennifer O’Keefe,
2010

Jennifer O'Keefe and Old Fashion Winter, Award in Photography — Jennifer O’Keefe and *“Old Fashion Winter”*

Our daughter Danielle took a short video clip of the award ceremony. The award ceremony was at the Cheshire Public Library in Cheshire, Connecticut. When the awards were being handed out, Jennifer was asked to describe to the attendees the circumstances surrounding the creation of the photograph. She explained how we passed by the house almost daily for decades without ever noticing it. Jennifer continued, “we got stuck in traffic directly in front of the house, and the house was the only interesting thing to look at.” The scene was quiet, serene, and captivating. At that moment, she pointed her camera at the house and took a photograph.

She never expected the photograph to look the way it did, having the snowflakes appear frozen in place as they lay across our windshield. Her story makes a person ask, how many exciting things around us do we never stop to notice? How did that one random event and the resulting photograph affect us? Ever since that day, we always take notice whenever Jennifer and I pass by the house. The award ceremony was a nice experience for Jennifer. Good job!

Also, check out the entire exhibition.

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.