David O’Keefe

by Melanie C. Jordan

It was around a month ago I was walking along Ocean Drive in South Beach, Miami. There in the window of an art gallery I saw these amazing sculptures of sports celebrities and musicians.

I think I stood by the window for a good ten minutes just staring at the details of each piece of art. I knew at that moment I had to get in touch with the artist. I took my iPhone out of my bag and began to type, David O’Keefe in my notepad app. Later that night I did my Research and found David. I sent him an email asking to get this interview and he said yes! , of course I was thrilled. Well, what are you waiting for? Bite your teeth into this Fabulous interview with the man himself David O’Keefe.

I.mag: Where do you get your inspiration?

D.O: I am fascinated with all things Pop Culture – music, movies, TV, sports, politics. All of these mediums create indelible memories for each of us depending on where we are in our own lives when certain events occur. For instance, I was a huge Beatles fan in high school (and still am), so their music stirs lots of different emotions for me and is the reason I continue to create new Beatles works. But who INSPIRES me? That would be master painters and sculptors, such as Rubens, Fragonard, and Bernini. I continually study their works and their lives to in some way achieve their mastery of anatomy, color, lighting, and composition. I am in no way comparing my talent to their genius, but I strive to emulate them in my own way. And that’s what I trying to with my own style of art; blending the fun and nostalgia of Pop Culture with a fine art touch.

I.mag: Many artists create to send out a message. Does your art work have any messages?

D.O: Enjoy life. (Laughs) But most of my paintings and sculptures simply aren’t that deep. I try to capture the underlying personality of my subject and not just an exaggerated caricature of their outside appearance. Now that’s not to say that the epic paintings, like the Godfather, don’t have lots of symbolism and subtleties. They do -the oranges, Mo Green’s shattered

glasses, and the Tommy gun toting cherubs, to name a few. The “Clinton in the Flesh” sculpture, originally an editorial piece, depicted Bill Clinton’s womanizing ways as just as much a part of him as the nose on his face.

I.mag: What was your favorite piece? (The piece you most connect too) and why?

D.O: I know it’s my latest large epic painting, but I just love “Bushwood,” a tribute to Caddyschack. I loved the movie way back when it was first released. And then, Bill Murray, Ted Knight, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield have such great personalities to capture. I relate to the humor of each one of these comedians and to their interactions with one another.

I also like all the minor details in the painting like the grass, the leaves on the trees, the lighting, and the composition. There’s just so much going on in this painting. It doesn’t get old. I had a great time painting it, despite breaking my right arm about 2/3rds of the way to completion. It’s an added bonus that someone like Steve Garske, CEO of Par Aide (the ball washer featured in the movie) commissioned it.

I.mag: You have painted and sculpted many artists, athletes and musicians. Have any

of these people Purchased your work or seen your work? And what was there reaction?

D.O: During Super Bowl week we had a temporary gallery on Miami Beach. Spike Lee strolled in and purchased a piece I did of him. We snapped a photo of him holding it and his expression was priceless – sort of blank stare. That picture cracks me up every time I look at it. Alex Trebek requested to purchase his Mad Magazine cover I did of him several years back, so I suspect he liked his depiction. I was contacted by Elvis Costello’s manager to purchase an editorial piece I did that he also apparently liked. Then there was Billy Crystal, who was once presented with his own small sculpted likeness in a TV interview. He was not at all flattered. So I’d say celebrity reaction is all over the board.

I.mag: What was your favorite reaction?

D.O: A family from Illinois was visiting the gallery last spring. The St. Armand’s gallery had not been opened too long, I had a lot of pencil and gouache originals that were very reasonably priced in a bin. One piece was a (rejected) submission I did for The New Yorker magazine. It was of a grumpy old lady in a swimming pool full of lively children but there was a very clear demarcation between the old woman and the kids. She had her claim staked in the pool and everyone minded her personal space. Well the dad of this visiting family had been coming to Sarasota for Spring break since he was a young boy because an uncle member owned a condo on the beach. He’s now bringing his own kids to the same condo. He remembered back when he was about 10 years old, that he and his brother had so loved jumping and diving from the diving board at that condo. But this one cranky old woman complained about their antics and the diving board was removed. He bought my drawing because it reminded him of that time in his life. I hope to see them again this year.

I.mag: Have you set a goal for yourself, and have you achieved that goal?

D.O: My goal is to be the best painter and sculptor I can be. I will be working toward that goal until the day I die. I thank God for the talent he has given me and I want to use it to make this world a better place. I like when people leave the gallery happy and smiling. Of course, I like it

better when they purchase something.

I.mag: If you can paint yourself or sculpt yourself. What do you visualize?

Not sure, but it would make babies cry. Actually I’m constantly sketching myself in cartoon like fashion – with a huge nose, annoyed by life’s everyday aggravations. It’s my way of dealing with stress.

I.mag: What was the most difficult piece you have done and why?

D.O: I would say the Godfather was the most difficult piece. I painted and

repainted it several times and it took about a year to complete. The rich,

dark oil paints take longer to dry and require more under-painting. Then I

embellished the frame with hand sculpted cherubs and other movie related

details which was also highly time consuming, even with an assistant.

I.mag: My favorite was The Beatles. What inspired this piece? Where were you while

fabricating this Fabulous masterpiece?

D.O: The Beatles, as I mentioned, are my all-time favorite musical group. At the time I painted the ‘69 Beatles, I was working my day job as a newspaper illustrator, while freelancing for magazines and advertising agencies. At that time, most of my work was done for tight deadlines and uptight art directors. I painted the Beatles purely for myself as an artistic project that I directed the outcome and the time of completion. It is still one of my favorites, too. Side note: Both the original ‘69 Beatles and the “65 Beatles sold to a single collector in New York City in 2008.

I.mag: Please describe your work atmosphere.

D.O: I work from my home studio, concrete floors, spilled paint and book cases full

of art books. I work with my headphones on listening to music. I watch Judge

Judy from 4 to 5. Then ,more music.

I.mag: Please any last words?

D.O: Always strive to get better at what you do.