February 11, 2008

"Harley Davidson Softail"

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Oil on achieval, museum quality 1/8" panel - 6" x 6"

In the words of Monty Python: “And now for something completely different!”- I give you the "Harley-Davidson Softail." What many of you may not know is that I am an avid motorcyclist. I started out on a Yamaha RD80 when I was 14, hill climbing in the field behind my house, then on the street with an RD250, Honda CB360 and Suzuki GS850. A vintage Vespa was my sole form of transportation during my "starving artist" period, and the fascination with scooters has lasted up to the present. I recently got rid of my totally restored 1966 SS180 and am trying to make room in the garage for a pair of GTS 250s. I got bitten by the Harley-Davidson bug back in 95 and my poor wife has been a Harley widow ever since. There are few things more beautiful than the classic lines of a Harley. If I could keep my bike inside my studio, I would. My computer name has been Hogadams for years.
I went to the Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Show this past weekend and the place was teeming with a dazzling array of chrome and steel. From old classic scoots to high dollar customs there was much to see and photograph. Painting the reflections through the red windshield of this Softail was fun, as was the sparkling highlights of a thousand lights bouncing off the highly polished chrome and deep black cherry paint.

As I type this it is 21° outside. Even riding a dresser with electric handgrips and an electric vest, I am afraid Betty (my Ultra) will have to be content with my visits to the garage to stare at her beauty and polish her chrome. I hate Februarys...sigh.

11 comments:

Sherry DeGhelder said...

Mark, you totally rocked this one!!!

Michael Naples said...

I'm really blown away by this painting. And to see it's only 6x6?! It's great!

Diana Moses Botkin said...

I too am amazed that you put so much detail into such a small painting. You are even crazier than I am!

This a fascinating and wonderful piece. So glad to find you.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks Guys. When I started daily painting, I vowed not to get out the blending brushes and opti-veiwer and get fussy with them. One out of three ain’t bad. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks - once a photo-realist always a photo-realist.

Anonymous said...

Ride?

Mark Adams said...

19 degrees and snowing?

Gerald Schwartz said...

Good job Mark, and good to see you out there..

Mark Adams said...

Thanks Gerald! That means a lot coming from you. "Your dangerus Things" is awesome! Thanks for acquainting me with your work.

Carol Nelson said...

What an awesome painting. Your love for the machine is evident.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks Carol. She's a beauty.

Sherry Maxwell said...

OH MY GOSH!!!