September 1, 2008

"JJ on the sofa"

Oil on museum quality, archival ampersand gessobord™ panel - 6” x 8”


With Cats, some say, one rule is true:
 Don't speak till you are spoken to.
 Myself, I do not hold with that -
 I say, you should ad-dress a Cat.
 But always keep in mind that he
 Resents familiarity.
 I bow, and taking off my hat,
 Ad-dress him in this form: O CAT!
 But if he is the Cat next door,
 Whom I have often met before
 (He comes to see me in my flat)
 I greet him with an OOPSA CAT!
 I've heard them call him James Buz-James -
 But we've not got so far as names.
 Before a Cat will condescend
 To treat you as a trusted friend,
 Some little token of esteem
 Is needed, like a dish of cream;
 And you might now and then supply
 Some caviare, or Strassburg Pie,
 Some potted grouse, or salmon paste -
 He's sure to have his personal taste.
 (I know a Cat, who makes a habit
 Of eating nothing else but rabbit,
 And when he's finished, licks his paws
 So's not to waste the onion sauce.)
 A Cat's entitled to expect
 These evidences of respect.
 And so in time you reach your aim,
 And finally call him by his NAME. 

                                                       T.S.Eliot 


That name would be JJ.



21 comments:

Diane said...

His Royal Highness "JJ" looks like the prince he is.. love the lushness of his fur

Terry said...

Discovered you through the daily painters site, and have just recently subscribed - Love your work. JJ is wonderful!!

Diana Moses Botkin said...

What a beautiful painting, Mark! This cat looks positively ready to quote Shakespeare's sonnets.

Mark Adams said...

Terry - Thanks for stopping by. I just clicked over to your site and I liked what I saw. I'll take a long look when I am more awake.

Mark Adams said...

If I could write the beauty of your eyes,
And in fresh numbers number all your graces,
The age to come would say 'This poet lies;
Such heavenly touches ne'er touch'd earthly faces.'

Diane Hoeptner said...

Charming!! Thanks for posting, your painting and the poem started my day with a smile.

Mark Adams said...

Twice today the "comments" feature of this blog has lead me to wonderful new artists, whose work I was hitherto unfamiliar. Diane, I see you have your own JJ to inspire you, in Layla. Your work is charming and your compositions strong. I, too, have a Toyota (toy Yoda) on my shelf in the studio. Much to learn I have.

Todd Bonita said...

Wow! Is that a paint brush or a magic wand? Fabulous!

JEANNE ILLENYE said...

GORGEOUS!!! I thought it was a photograph! Perfection! Jeanne

Mark Adams said...

Abracadabra! Thanks, Todd.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for the kind words, Jeanne. JJ is a great model.

Jacqui Faye said...

mark...... an absolutely incredible painting.... so..... alive.......

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Jacqui!

lisagloria said...

I love this painting. Wonderful job!

Mark Adams said...

Lisa, JJ and I thank you.

BTW I watched your painting demonstration earlier today. Your brushwork is exciting and the flesh tones perfect. Nice painting!

Anonymous said...

What a great picture. I'm so glad that your sweet boy is doing so much better. He is such a great model (and a wonderful friend).

Deb O

Mark Adams said...

Deb,

I am happy to say (knock wood) that he is back to his old sweet self. Thanks for the nice compliment.

Tara said...

Mark, I just stumbled upon your blog! My name is Tara and I used to pet sit for you. I'm going to bookmar this page and look forward to seeing more of Mr. JJ!

Mark Adams said...

Hi, Tara. I'm glad you found my blog. Thanks for stopping by! Rest assured, you will be seeing more paintings of JJ in the future. He is such a good model. I hope life is treating you well.

yich said...

I quite accidentally stumbled upon your blog. I am fascinated by cats and your paintings are marvellous!! TS Eliot does justice to your beautiful cat paintings!!

Mark Adams said...

Yich, Your blog entry on 2-2-08 of Malou is wonderful. My cat JJ strikes that same pose (see my blog 10-13-08). It must be a Ginger cat thing. Thanks for taking the time to comment.