I painted a hairless cat. My first one. Technically, he’s a charcoal grey Peterbald; his name is Esau, and I think he’s quite grand.

He belongs to actor Mayim Bialik, whom I met at the MTV Movie Awards Gift Suite in June. You’ve seen her in everything from Blossom to Beaches, but I must say my most recent favorite is her role as Sheldon Cooper’s um, love interest? in The Big Bang Theory.

In West Hollywood, June.

So Mayim has this amazingly regal Peterbald cat. His appearance is really quite arresting; my kids saw his photo and weren’t sure if he was a cat or a dog, which I thought was funny. He reminds me of a drawing you’d see in an Egyptian pyramid, and I was glad to paint him.

Esau

Completed: July 25, 2010

Soundtrack: The Cranberries

Beverage: Coke Zero

I’ve probably titled three or four posts “Weekend Update,” but only because I want to be Tina Fey when I grow up. Short of that, I think I’ll just keep painting.

Meeka

Sutter

Darla

Completed: July 25, 2010

Soundrack: Storm Large, Crazy Enough

Beverage: Coke Zero

Why yes, we do wear tutus to make art in this house.

Doesn’t everyone?

I am a bundle of nerves. I have been for days. I drop things. I snap at people. My kids are back to calling me Mad Mom, and only half jokingly.

Someone spilled an entire bottle of glue on the wood floor and let it dry.

There was a glob of jelly on the carpet.

My husband made five pies and only one for us and now there’s not any left. And I’d like a piece of pie.

I answered the phone, “Hello, this is Cinderella!” because I was literally on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor when it rang.

My son made a “nest” for Ron Weasley that consisted of an old litter box, a good sheet and two pieces of pepperoni.

I could really use a nap.

Sophie

Completed: July 23, 2010

Soundtrack: It was too early for music this morning

Beverage: Dutch Bros. Iced Mocha

This painting has been rattling around in my head for months. Months. Before Evelyn Evelyn released an album. Before I went to the concert in May.

I knew exactly what I wanted to paint – an image as haunting as the album and its concept. My daughter and her big brown eyes would be a perfect stand-in for the conjoined twins at the story’s core.

I bought and embellished a tiny hat.

I convinced my daughter to pose for me. (She never needs much convincing, really.)

I painted it in my head a hundred times.

And this week, I stayed up late – and painted it for real.

HarperLyn HarperLyn

Completed: July 21, 2010

Soundtrack: The Cranberries

Beverage: Margaritas