Pop Culture Icons and Such

2010-03-22T16:20:00.002-04:00

South Beach Miami Gallery - Super Bowl Week Only!

2010-01-26T17:14:00.002-05:00

Miami or bust! For the second year in a row, I'll be opening a temporary gallery in the hosting city of the Super Bowl. This year, visiting sports fans from all over the world can see my sculptures and paintings during Super Bowl week:

February 3rd - February 9th, 2010
David O’Keefe Studios Gallery

1060 Ocean Drive South Beach Miami

In addition to the temporary gallery in South Beach, I am donating four of my limited edition giclees to the Taste of the NFL silent auction to benefit hunger relief. This year’s Taste of the NFL is held on Saturday, February 6th at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. www.tasteofthenfl.com

See you there!

1060 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139

New year. New website. New art.

2010-01-17T16:22:00.003-05:00

This is a new year and I am committed to staying on top of this blog. Last year had a few rough spots, most notably when I broke my right elbow in a bike accident in August. At the time, I was in the middle of several projects - including paintings of Caddyshack (my favorite piece, yet), Elvis, Michael Jackson, Seinfeld, The Beatles and sculptures of Kramer, The Godfather, and Obama. Now that I've recovered, we have lots of new art available in the gallery and online. We also have a new line of "wearble art."

The gallery, David O'Keefe Studios, is operating full steam right now in St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, FL. Though I personally love cold weather, our winter visitors prefer the 70 degree weather Sarasota usually boasts during the winter.

Caddyshack, an original commission for Par-Aide CEO, Steve Garske, goes to the digital imaging studio tomorrow and as is typical, I am working right down to the wire. We will be introducing fine art prints of this piece in Sarasota and at a temporary gallery in Miami Beach during the Pro-Bowl and Superbowl starting January 28.

New Website Coming...NOW!

2009-11-23T16:23:00.000-05:00

Our new website is going live within the next 48 hours. So stay tuned and check back soon!

Too Much Information

2009-11-01T23:04:00.015-05:00

Sarasota Herald Tribune Article Nov. 1st, 2009

Thank you to writer Billy Cox, photographer E. Skylar Litherland, and the Sarasota Herald Tribune for the press. Sometimes I miss the newsroom. Goofy? Me? Really?

And, GO, BRETT, GO!

Pop Culture Icons Gallery Now Open

2009-10-22T11:16:00.008-04:00

We are excited to announce that our gallery is now re-located to 12 N. Boulevard of the Presidents on St. Armand's Circle, Sarasota, just one door north of the Columbia Restaurant. Joining together with Wall Art, a fixture on St. Armand's for several years (formerly located at 17 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, ) we offer you the most unique art buying experience anywhere in Florida. Listen to the best music of last century- from Sinatra to Dylan- while you relax and browse our originals, limited editions, sculptures, t-shirts, wine and more. We ship anywhere and custom framing is available.

Pardon Our Dust

2009-09-17T14:51:00.002-04:00

David O'Keefe Studios is currently in the process of relocating to 12 N. Boulevard of Presidents on St. Armands Circle, just past the Columbia Restaurant towards Long Boat Key. We are also redesigning our website, so if things start looking a little weird, know there's a method to the madness. Grand Opening about October 1, 2009! Stay tuned.

David O'Keefe Studios Is Moving

2009-07-23T10:03:00.009-04:00

We are in the process of relocating to a new storefront on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. Please stay tuned for further developments and the announcement of our grand re-opening. In the meantime, visit our virtual gallery tour below by clicking on the photo.

If you would like to order limited edition prints, t-shirts or other merchandise, please contact us at our Tampa office (813)254-5056 or email david@davidokeefe.com. Soon, ordering on the website will be available.

St. Armand's Circle Gallery Grand Opening

2009-03-28T16:59:00.007-04:00

We celebrated the Grand Opening of our St. Armand's Circle gallery last night. The crowds were awesome with the 4th friday Jazz night in the circle as well as the Sarasota Film Fest. Check out the slide show on the side for highlights.

Sam Hallenback "Star Watch" Feature

2009-03-18T00:14:00.015-04:00

http://groundhog.tv/

David was recently featured on Sam Hallenback's syndicated program "Star Watch." Search David O'Keefe Feature or David O'Keefe In Focus.

St. Armands Circle Gallery Now Open

2009-03-14T22:51:00.003-04:00

Our St. Armand's Circle Store in Sarasota, FL is now open. We've had great foot traffic at this location since opening on March 6th. Sarasota is a beautiful place to be this time of year. The weather is absolutely perfect - 75 degrees and breezy. Our location is just steps to the beach. Parking is free and there are many wonderful shops, galleries and restaurants to enjoy. Please stop by and see us.

Lucy, You Got Some Splanin' To Do

2009-01-21T15:18:00.004-05:00

My latest painting "Lucy" goes to print just in time for my hometown of Tampa to host the Superbowl. What do these two things have in common, you ask? Well, of course, Tampa's Ybor City area is historic for its Cuban cigars and culture (as was Ricky). And, as a lifelong Cardinals fan, I'll be rooting for my favorite red headed team from Arizona to win the Superbowl.

David O'Keefe Studios has set up a temporary Superbowl headquarters store at 1625 E. 7th Avenue in Ybor City. Besides limited editon prints, original art and sculpture, we will also have Godfather and Beatles t-shirts as well as [sic]puzzles available for purchase.

'Tis the Season to be Grateful

2008-12-07T12:20:00.018-05:00

The past few months have flown by with only a few weeks left in 2008. We want to extend a big thank you to everyone who came out to our Godfather events in support of the Friends of Joshua House Foundation, a charity that provides resources to Joshua House, a safe haven for abandoned, neglected and abused children of the Tampa Bay area. DeDe Grundel, executive director for Friends of Joshua House, attended our Godfather Debut at Home Theater Gallery Tampa on December 6th. She told us of utterly horrific things that many of these children have endured and about how sadly prevalent child abuse and neglect is in our own hometown. And then, she told us some wonderful success stories of children who have been through Joshua House. What a wonderful organization. We are so proud to lend our small hand to this fine charity.

We also want to thank the generous sponsors - Home Theater Gallery, Cellini Italian Cuisine, Master Art and Framing, The Romeo Gallery, Olin Mott, Smiles By Design, Fetch.Fur.Love., Cheap, The Fresh Market, Halcyon Day Spa, and Smack Apparel for their generous donations and prizes. This funny lady wont the the framed/ signed miniature printer's proof of The Godfather for best Mafia costume - that cigar in her pocket gave her the edge. We were able to raise approximately $1000 from door donations and a portion of the proceeds from our sales at these events. If you would still like to donate to Joshua House please visit http://www.friendsofjoshuahouse.com/contact-us/ or to bid on the silent auction piece of the 32" x 48" Godfather giclee (reserve not yet met) please contact david@davidokeefe.com.

David's work has been on exhibition at the Romeo Gallery on 7th Avenue in Ybor City since November 1 and will be on display through December 31. On December 6th, we hosted La Familia in conjunction with the Ybor City Art Walk. David was on hand sketching caricatures.

See the slide show on the right side of blog for more photos of both events.

Special thanks to FOX Channel 13's coverage by Charlie Belcher and Frank Robertson. http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=8016836&version=1&locale=EN-US

"The Godfather" Gallery Show and Upcoming Events

2008-10-26T22:39:00.017-04:00

I will be exhibiting from now until December 26 at the Romeo Gallery in Ybor City at 1515 E. 7th Avenue. The Romeo Gallery is located between The Ritz Theater and King Corona Cigars between 16th and 15th Sts. I will be painting on my newest piece, Lucy at the Gallery on Fridays from now until Dec. 6th from about 11:00 am until 3 pm. Stop by and say hello.

Charlie Belcher of Good Day Tampa Bay on Fox 13 broadcasted "Charley's World" live from the Romeo Gallery this morning. See the Video Here.

A Shameless Promotion By Governor Palin

2008-10-17T15:28:00.005-04:00

About Those Tommy Gun Toting Cupids

2008-10-02T23:50:00.002-04:00

The Godfather frame on the original painting is inspired by the frescoed frames created by 18th century Italian painter Giambattist Tiepolo. Starting with an ornate solid wood frame, I embellished with cupids and other relevant icons from The Godfather movie to create a frame that adds a whole new dimension to the painting. I originally planned give the frame a gold and plastered feel, but decided instead on the rich brown and red tones of the painting itself. We are considering casting the frame, but as yet are undecided.

The Godfather

2008-10-01T15:59:00.024-04:00

The original Godfather was debuted at the recent Art-Expo Las Vegas September 18-21. This piece features 13 icons from Francis Ford Coppolla's 1972 Epic, including the writer/ director, himself. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, James Caan, Diane Keaton - they're all here. Oil on board, this is a piece that I just could not rush. The frame is also an original sculpted piece complete with tommy-gun toting cupids, wedding chapel and the infamous horse's head. I drove with the painting all the way to Vegas from Tampa and back to ensure its safe delivery.

We've released 3 Limited Editions of giclees on canvas of The Godfather. There are only 25 of the Epic size 71" x 54" and 99 each of the 60"x45" and 48"x36" editions. No other editions of The Godfather will be released in the future.

Passing on with dignity. Paul Newman.

2008-09-28T22:25:00.003-04:00

This weekend pop icon Paul Newman died at age 83. I don't recall ever drawing Paul Newman, but he is definitely a Hollywood legend to be remembered. Things I respect about Paul: His 50 year marriage to Joann Woodward. The man has 5 daughters. He threw away the tux at age 75 because he was done with formality. He lived life doing what he loved most- race car driving, directing, acting. He didn't take jobs just for the money. And he lent his name to make millions for charity. (Our pantry at any given time has 3 jars of Newman's Own Salsa, my personal favorite.)

Click on the Side Links to Order

2008-09-09T15:05:00.008-04:00

Bipartisan. Buy both. You Don't Have To Take Sides.

David O'Keefe Studios, Inc. introduces our new [sic]PUZZLES line of collectible puzzles. The available puzzles include a 550-piece provocative jigsaw puzzle of 42nd president, Bill Clinton. The 18” x 24” puzzle whimsically captures Clinton's foibles with Rubenesque beauties. To ensure fair and balanced offense, [sic]Puzzles is also offering a 399-piece collectible 17" x 26" jigsaw puzzle of 43^rd President George W. Bush. His lips are zippered shut and the infamous “Mission Accomplished” declamation is stamped on his forehead. The Bush puzzle features a unique “Bipartisan” design with large simple pieces on one side that “even Dubya himself could finish.” Both sides of the puzzle meet seamlessly in the middle just like our two party government [sic].

Each presidential image includes a notorious misspeak, embodying the concept of [sic]; [sic] is used after a printed word or passage to indicate that the phrase was intended exactly as printed. The Clinton puzzle includes his famous testimony, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is [sic].”

Bill Clinton "Define IS"

2008-08-23T13:37:00.003-04:00

I Love NY

2008-08-19T10:17:00.002-04:00

Godfather Update

2008-07-28T15:57:00.010-04:00

This is my good friend Martin Zimmerman, one of the most talented sculptors I've ever met. Martin and I have been friends since high school and have collaborated on many pieces over the years. There is no one who can capture detail the way this guy can. So when I set to work on The Godfather, I knew Martin was the perfect person to help me complete my vision for this painting - an ornately embellished frame with cupids and other images reminiscent of the movie. The frame is a salute to Giambattista Tiepolo's ornate framing of the Scuola dei Carmin (which, by the way took 9 years to complete!)

Because Dealing Directly With the Artist Is Awkward

2008-07-24T15:30:00.012-04:00

Wayne and I recently hired two absolutely amazing women to manage the growing list of galleries carrying my work . Rose Holland, our Art Sales Consultant, comes to us with 27 years experience in advertising sales. In her previous life, she was a a top producer for a major metropolitan publication. She speaks fluent Italian, has travelled to Italy and has a real passion for art. Rena Charles, an Emory University fine art graduate brings several years of gallery experience and a profound knowledge of this business beyond her years. We are thrilled to have these talented woman on our staff. Trust me, you'd rather talk to them!

Getting Inside Brett Favre's Head

2008-07-19T18:34:00.004-04:00

The initial mold for the Brett Favre uniques is back from from the mold maker. I have to carefully carve out the eye sockets with a Dremel to insert the glass eyes.

Wayne looking like Paul

2008-07-01T16:51:00.009-04:00

This is a pic of my business partner, Wayne Curtiss and the large '69 Beatles Limited Edition Giclee to give the out-of-towners a frame of reference as to its size. I also want to mention how blessed I am to have the support of Wayne in this david o'keefe studios, inc. venture. Wayne is an awesome friend and just an all around good guy. He's also a visionary and a very successful business person who takes the "Purple Cow" approach to achieving results. Loyal and honest, he's a guy who treats his employees, customers and colleagues with kindness and respect. The only real issue I have with Wayne is trying to keep up with his constant stream of ideas. But the thing I admire most about Wayne is the love he has for his wife and kids. And then there's his uncanny resemblance to Paul McCartney.

LU-CEEEEEEEEE!!!!

2008-06-27T23:34:00.005-04:00

As the Godfather painting dries for a few days, I've started transferring my next piece to the canvas. There's been a lot of interest in a previous Lucy pencil piece I did. I'm improving on that piece and will paint it HUGE! Hope to have it finished for the Art Expo Las Vegas. Check back for updates on this piece and maybe a glimpse of Lucy herself.

O'Keefe's Studio

2008-06-10T11:29:00.017-04:00

I'm always fascinated with the studios of other artists. I thought you might like to see where I spend most of my waking hours. The business on the walls drives my wife absolutely crazy (she's not, really). But the drawings taped to the walls are the cumulative works of my 4 kids over the past 15 years we have been in our house. I call it my Special Wall(s) and not every piece of art the kids draw makes it here. All the important things - my Cleveland Browns trash can, a TV for watching world soccer, football and Judge Judy, the art books I've acquired over the years, a signed Glen Keane sketch of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast - it's all within these 4 walls. And with that room A/C in the wall, I can effectively keep my studio at a pleasant 40 degrees, and thereby keep many unwanted art critics out.

The Godfather In Process (SOON, Wayne, SOON)

2008-05-29T10:23:00.004-04:00

Gallery Display

2008-04-22T11:08:00.007-04:00

Now Through June 30, 2008

Tampa Art Emporium

Hyde Park Village

1618 Snow Avenue

Tampa, FL 33606