Eleven Ball in the Side Pocket

[JAM]

Mark Twain loved cats. Mark Twain also loved billiards; he called them "the best game on earth." An artist named Pat Tanger took Twain's two loves -- cats and pool -- and turned them into a painting called "Eleven Ball in the Side Pocket."

"Some people scorn a cat and think it not an essential; but the Clemens tribe are not of these," he said once, and another time, "A home without a cat — and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat — may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?"

Tanger's takes on Clemens and cats are part of "Visions on Twain: Work Inspired by the Author's Home, Travels and Hartford's Gilded Age," an exhibit on display at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut.

Seven local artists were asked to create works inspired by Twain quotes, Twain's personality, Twain's house, Twain's life, any aspect of Twain's persona. While the other artists painted things such as Twain's wife's closet, Tanger decided to combine his love of cats and pool.

One artist, Lou Mazzotta, like Tanger, was inspired by Twain's love of billiards. "He played it day and night. … 'Billiards at 2:00 a.m.' … could be what the billiard ball looks like after 48 hours of continuous play."

Sandy Parisky, an artist from Hartford, focused on Twain's billiard room, his private study. Twain once said, "There ought to be a room in this house to swear in. It's dangerous to have to repress an emotion like that."

Other artists represented are Francie Bergquist, Rozanne Hauser and Lou Mazzotta of Bloomfield, Jo McGinnis of West Hartford, and Flora and Sandy Parisky of Hartford. The artists met several years ago to form a group called "Visions: A Gallery Without Walls," with the purpose of exhibiting their work collectively.

Source: Visions on Twain. [Retrieved 2 November 2011]

The exhibit will be on display until November 3rd at the Twain House. Here is the website about the artists and their contributions: VisionsGalleryWithoutWalls.com.

"Eleven Ball in the Side Pocket" by Pat Tanger.

 

[JAM]

Mark Twain House and Museum.

 

[JAM]

Mark Twain is so manly that two of his man rooms made the list of "Famous Man Caves."

His billiards room took up the entire top floor of his three-story Hartford, CT house where he lived from 1871-1891.

The room was off limits to Twain’s wife and kids and reserved for Twain and his male guests to shoot pool, smoke cigars, and imbibe spirits. Twain also used the room as a man retreat, a place to write and hide from the domestic chaos on the other floors of the house.

Twain explained the reason this special man space was needed in his home: There ought to be a room in this house to swear in. It’s dangerous to have to repress an emotion like that…Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

 

[JAM]

Billiards was a common art theme at the beginning of the 20th century and were often seen on postcards. Here is a Swedish postcard from this era.

 

[JAM]

A postcard entitled "A Game of Billiards" with two kittens playing with the balls on a billiard table, published by C.W. Faulkner & Company (London).

 

[JAM]

That Mark Twain was quite a character. Read this quote on yet another billiard-themed postcard.

 

[javi2]

Mark Twain is so manly that two of his man rooms made the list of "Famous Man Caves."

His billiards room took up the entire top floor of his three-story Hartford, CT house where he lived from 1871-1891.

The room was off limits to Twain’s wife and kids and reserved for Twain and his male guests to shoot pool, smoke cigars, and imbibe spirits. Twain also used the room as a man retreat, a place to write and hide from the domestic chaos on the other floors of the house.

Twain explained the reason this special man space was needed in his home: There ought to be a room in this house to swear in. It’s dangerous to have to repress an emotion like that…Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

Mark has earned a place on my "wall of fame" along side some of pool's finest. Now I will place that quote directly under his photo. Thanks, Jam. P.S I'm still looking for a good photo of Keith to add to the wall but haven't had any luck so far. hint, hint. Maybe you can recommend an old magazine where I can pull one from.

 

[naji]

Oh man, speaking of cats, had to raise my pool table light so she does not jump up the table to top of lights chasing tiny fly!! finally she jumped while i am shooting and got hurt, ouch!!, i do not think she will do it again!!

 

[JAM]

Mark has earned a place on my "wall of fame" along side some of pool's finest. Now I will place that quote directly under his photo. Thanks, Jam. P.S I'm still looking for a good photo of Keith to add to the wall but haven't had any luck so far. hint, hint. Maybe you can recommend an old magazine where I can pull one from.

There are some good ones in older InsidePOOL magazines, around 2003 to 2005 era. It's interesting that you mention the older mags. I am on the hunt for a very old Sports Illustrated magazine, but so far, I've come up empty. It's supposed to contain an article about Keith and some other pool players in the early '80s.

If you send me an e-mail at RailbirdJAM@aol.com, it would be my pleasure to e-mail you a high-res .JPEG photo of Keith. You can print it and get it framed, if you like. :smile:

It just so happens that I have quite a few Keith McCready photos. :grin-loving:

 

[JAM]

Oh man, speaking of cats, had to raise my pool table light so she does not jump up the table to top of lights chasing tiny fly!! finally she jumped while i am shooting and got hurt, ouch!!, i do not think she will do it again!!

My cat used to love my pool table. Today, my Brunswick Century serves as a laundry organizer. Nobody shoots on it. Keith doesn't like my table or my balls. Talk about spoiled. :angry:

My cat used to chase the balls to the pockets. I loved that.

 

[JAM]

I guess you have to start worrying when your cat picks up a cue and starts shooting balls in the pocket. :grin:

 

[JAM]

Rumor has it that most kitties go to a place in San Marcos, Texas, where all the cat pros play.

 

[JAM]

Those who dare to shoot against cats must be aware of the dangers.

There's no windows in Cats Billiards, with only one door going in and out. These are not goat-ropers. These are professional cats who love their trucks!

 

[JAM]

It's the hidden cats that you need to worry about that strike with no warning. :yikes:

 

[Quesports]

Cat to the rescue!

My daughters cat scratched two leather chairs when she was house sitting for her very wealthy bosses. The whole situation was a nightmare and she eventually quit her job because of the issue. Fast forward three months and she just got a new job at double the salary, three weeks paid vacation and a full health care package that all kicked in on her first day of employment. She found him as a kitten on the roadside while bicycling in Asheville NC. She saved the cat and the cat saved her, Karma is so sweet! She named the cat Thor after Thor Husholvd the bike racer..

 

[JAM]

Make no mistake about it. Billiards and cats go back to Ancient Empire era when big cats were used to hold up the tables for the Romans. k:

 

[JAM]

My daughters cat scratched two leather chairs when she was house sitting for her very wealthy bosses. The whole situation was a nightmare and she eventually quit her job because of the issue. Fast forward three months and she just got a new job at double the salary, three weeks paid vacation and a full health care package that all kicked in on her first day of employment. She found him as a kitten on the roadside while bicycling in Asheville NC. She saved the cat and the cat saved her, Karma is so sweet! She named the cat Thor after Thor Husholvd the bike racer..

Cute story about Thor. He's lucky he found your daughter. Cats are multi-talented; that's for sure! :smile:

 

[JAM]

Vintage Bergman Austrian Cold Painted Bronze Cats.

Austrian Cold Painted Bronze Cats Playing Pool. A highly detailed bronze in the manner of Bergman but unsigned. Measures 3" high, 5" long and 3" wide.

 

[JAM]

I actually have the original book by B. Kliban in my attic. He was a cat cartoonist: EatMousies.com

He was all the rage in the '60s: B. Kliban.

I want this print. :smile:

 

[JAM]

Cats playing pool to music: Cats shooting balls.