February 3, 2009

"Eat Bertha's Mussels"

Oil on Canvas 15" x 20"
It is amazing how much time and thought goes into building a new house. Extreme care must be given to the choosing and placement of the smallest detail. As we get closer to being "under roof" the decisions about plumbing and lighting are coming fast and furious. Not wanting to make a mistake, we are spending hours and hours perusing lighting books and the Internet for that perfect sconce, just the right farm house sink, etc, etc. Sadly, my head is spinning from all this and I have not been able to concentrate. I did stand at the easel today but it just wasn't there. The painting laid in nicely but I couldn't see it through. I am going to freeze the palette and try again tomorrow. In the meantime, here is a painting a did in'05 that hasn't been posted.
There is a bar/restaurant in Fells Point called Bertha's which is famous for their steamed mussels. It is not uncommon to see their ubiquitous "Eat Bertha's Mussels" bumper stickers all over town. In one of the little side rooms, in a room painted chalk board green, is a table that has what I consider to be the perfect light for a portrait. I took my model friend Stephanie there one early afternoon for lunch, hoping my special table was unoccupied. It was and this is the result. They have excellent mussels by the way, if you should find yourself on the waterfront in Baltimore.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the touches of red throughout - her hair, her lips, her skin, the wall pattern... beautiful portrait, Mark. Does every bar have that same tabletop, I wonder? I am sure I have seen it before.... LOL

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Joanne. I thought this piece had a romantic quality to it that fit the Valentine's Day theme. I agree, this table is universal.

Diana Moses Botkin said...

Oh it does have a certain romantic mystery, Mark. What a wonderful job you did on this beautiful piece!

Good grief, is there anything you CAN'T paint!?

Mark Adams said...

What a sweet comment.
Thanks, Diana.

Anonymous said...

I love your choice of words in your blogs! John's favorite play list is called Ubiquitous mix. He loved seeing your use of the word in print.

beautiful Baltimore piece Dad !

Love
~:~

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Holly. I sometimes fear my loquaciousness borders on leresis.
{;-)>

Mark Adams said...

Diana, I think I found something this very day that I can't paint...fish! (or at least mackerel.) I am really wrestling with them.

Anonymous said...

This has been one of my favorites since you first painted it. For all-time favorite, it's a toss-up between this one, Carmen, and the big painting of Stephanie and whatshisname. Did you ever post Carmen here?

Fran

Mark Adams said...

Fran,
I never did post the Carmen painting nor the Stephanie/Amory piece. I may do that to let them get some air. Thanks for the thought.