November 27, 2008

"Please sir, I want some more."

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


We weren't lucky enough at my high school to have our own composer like Kelsey from High School Musical to create something original.  For our senior musical we were forced to use the work of Lionel Bart.  I must that say our production of Oliver! was very professional, and not just because of the great scenic artwork in which I had a hand. Right by the computer are two large french doors and very often one or more little faces are pressed up against the glass, looking in with pleading eyes for more food.  Even if I slide the door very slowly, they scatter.  All except Sammy that is, he comes just inside the door to have a look.  There is a scene in Oliver! when young Oliver, having finished his meager bowl of gruel goes up to Mr. Bumble for seconds. "Please sir, I want some more." he says.  I often think that is running through these little girls' heads. This is of course Piper and her new daughter Shirley.


This painting looks better in reality.  The photo doesn't show off the softness of the fur very well.  For the record, my high school basketball team were the Parkville Knights.  "Get your head in the game!"


12 comments:

Diane said...

Those pleading eyes say it all.. The feline femmes are adorable. Having sat in the chair by your french doors this piece transports me there!

Anonymous said...

Really excellent. You are so good at expressing the personalities of all the animals you paint, not to mention that it is just a beautiful painting.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Diane and Bob.

I appreciate the kind words.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Alice Thompson said...

Another bold move by you in this composition, splitting it vertically and flowing you across with the light.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Alice.
I knew I was pretty safe with the rule of thirds as far as splitting the canvas. I like the diagonal cutting across the bottom. The patio was wet from an evening rain and the light reflecting off the blue flagstones helped to lighten up the painting.

Diana Moses Botkin said...

Really winsome painting and fun association with the title.

Mark Adams said...

Diana,

You win some and you lose some.

Thanks for the nice comment.

Diana Moses Botkin said...

Haha. You're so right! You difinitely win on this one.

Also... tag, you're it! Please visit my blog to see what you do next. :~)

Susan Martin Spar said...

Ooooh, Kitties! You handled them beautifully! I love your use of color too. I have two cats - a Maine Coon (Silver Mackeral) and a black and white tuxedo mix. But it's so hard to come up with color for them. I love your friends!

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for stopping by Susan. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a pretty face. It is interesting how much color is in a seemingly monochromatic subject. Obviously calicos are loaded with color variants but even the large patches of white have subtle pinks and pale Prussian blue/grays. Mixing pigments is endlessly fascinating to me. That and putting it on.

Anonymous said...

Love your girls. Calicos and torties are actually my favorite cats. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Deb.

We had a nice turkey day.

You?