Thursday, December 10, 2009

Crunchy

Crunchy (December 4, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: December 4, 2009)

Norman flew into his Halloween costume for this week's topic. He can't resist transforming into The Cookie Monster. Who can blame him?

Entangled

Entangled (November 27, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: November 27, 2009)

The Mother Kitty is in the holiday spirit--for the most part.


Music

Music (November 20, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: November 20, 2009)

I think Thelonious Monk might be just as hard to draw as he is to play. The Kitties are not helping! In any case, we all agree that this is a great tune.

Welcome, Tigerlily!

Welcome, Tigerlily!

Say hello to my new kitty! I met her in October at the veterinary office that my sister recently joined in Columbus, Ohio. Jul flew her over during a visit last month. Lily's a 6 month old gray tabby, and she took about 10 seconds to adapt to her new home in Washington, DC. The Kitties can't wait to add her to their adventures!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Unbalanced

Unbalanced (November 13, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: November 13, 2009)

I could have drawn any of The Kitties losing their balance while chasing their favorite toys or trying to walk the skinniest of ledges. But then this appeared to me. Obvious, I know--so Simon would have us think....

Blur

Blur (November 06, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: November 6, 2009)

On November 13, my new friend arrived, brought by Auntie Julie, in her fancy mesh carrier. Not quite a blur, but here's an impressionistic view. (Thanks for the help with the zipper, Liam!)

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Skinny

Skinny (October 23, 2009)
(Illustration Friday - October 30, 2009 - Skinny

Simon is a skinny boy. Norman is...extra large.

Fast

Fast (October 23, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: October 23, 2009)

I've been telling The Kitties that I'm expecting a surprise special delivery November 13th. They are pondering confused, amazed, and excited. They, too, eagerly await, and the days are not counting down fast enough for any of us.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Germs

Germs (October 2, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: October 2, 2009)

At The Mother Kitty's house, germs are not tolerated. Cleanliness, she says, is key.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Pattern

Pattern (September 26, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: September 26, 2009)

I haven't yet figured out Jane's fur patterns from the photos I've seen. From what I can tell, she's a fluffy motley mix of greys, with a touch of brown. While I know I don't have her quite right yet, she says she doesn't mind--She's just happy to be here. She says her hot pink collar is perfect, and that's her favorite feature anyway.

Infinite

Infinite (September 18, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: September 18, 2009)

The Kitties tails (and tales) are infinite. (But Jane's is still growing.)

Welcome!

Welcome (September 11, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: September 11, 2009)

My nephew Liam tells me that there is a new kitty living at his dad's house. She was found outside a hardware store in Cincinnati. (She knows all about tools and mechanics.) Her tail had somehow broken long ago, and she has yet to tell us how it happened. It healed itself a bit askew. Her name is Jane, and I have yet to meet her. In any case, The Kitties are already pals.

Strong

Strong (September 4, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: September 4, 2009)

B.J. is the strong, not-so-silent type.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Magnify

Magnify (August 28, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: August 28, 2009)

I woke up to this sight once. I'm not sure how long Ashes was staring. As usual, she won't tell me.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Wrapped

Wrapped (August 14, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: August 14, 2009)

The Mother Kitty used to help Mom and Dad with the mail...until we realized what she was keeping under wraps. It's OK: Simon always took these opportunities to practice his Houdini-esque escapes.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Impatient

Impatient (August 7, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: August 7, 2009)

The Kitties typically grow most impatient around mealtimes. Please excuse B.J., who built up such an appetite that he hasn't yet bothered bathing since our last drawing project.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Modify

Modify (July 31, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: July 31, 2009)

This week's topic stumped me, so I turned the markers over to The Kitties and told them to modify themselves however they wanted. (I see that some of the artistes tested out their ideas on themselves before committing them to paper....)

Norman just made himself fatter so that he could fit in more food (a practical modification, he said). I think Gordon went for some sort of late '70s/early '80s Glam Rock look. Simon--who, I should explain, has been celebrating the anniversary of Woodstock and listening to lots of reggae lately--decided to use all of the markers. The Mother Kitty sees no reason to experiment with her beautiful blank canvas. She did make one change, however, which she is convinced gives her the ultimate sense of mystery and will confuse everyone. B.J. turned himself into his favorite distant relative, the tiger. And, while I thought Comet just drew a picture of Ashes, he actually drew himself with her shiny black coat--just to see what it's like, he said. No one is exactly sure what Ashes was aiming for. She's quite pleased with that reaction and refuses to explain it.

Idle

Idle (July 24, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: July 24, 2009)

Norman is dreaming while the action is outdoors. A staring contest is underway!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Tango

Tango (July 17, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: July 17, 2009)

The Kitties and I are addicted to "So You Think You Can Dance!" So, they all fought over who would participate in this week's drawing. But the choice was obvious, since Ladies' Man, B.J., is the only one proficient in Tango and promptly swept The Mother Kitty off her feet. The others are busy practicing for when the spotlight turns to them.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

[Sleepy] Hollow

[Sleepy] Hollow (July 10, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: July 10, 2009)

There was no talking The Kitties out of this one. I can't really blame them. It was the first thought for all of us. We really tried to think of something else, but all we heard were crickets. Besides, Gordon was already headed for the tree. Of course, Norman volunteered for the other role because--you know--he's crazy. (Don't ask me where he got the costume.) Comet is still hiding under the bed.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Shaky

Shaky 6-3-09
(Illustration Friday: July 3, 2009)

Simon is only afraid of a few things: cars, trips to the vet's office, sitting too close to The Mother Kitty. Most recently, we discovered that thunderstorms also give him the shakes.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Worn

Worn (June 26, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: June 26, 2009)

We all imagine that when Gordon returns from his exotic worldwide travels, he'll be a bit worn out.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Drifting

Drifting (June 19, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: June 19, 2009)

A couple of weeks ago, I raced home to give The Kitties a minute-by-minute report of the fantastic Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert at Verizon Center. Gordon, of course, is still reminiscing....

Unfold

Unfold (June 12, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: June 12, 2009)

Norman tends to unfold when he sleeps. We're still trying to interpret the dreams that cause this.

Craving

Craving (June 4, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: June 4, 2009)

At mealtime, Norman quenches his cravings quickly. His housemates are typically still hungry.

Adapt

Adapt (May 29, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: May 29, 2009)

In summer, The Mother Kitty adapted to the warm weather by decorating our brown living room rug with tufts of her fluffy fur. This was Mom's favorite of all of Mother Kitty's habits, especially if she had just finished vacuuming.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Cracked!

Cracked! (May 22, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: May 22, 2009)

I have an old photograph of kitten Norman making this face. He still does it, and you know when you see it that something has momentarily cracked. Beware of PsychoKitty.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Contagious

Contagious (May 15, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: May 15, 2009)

Kitty happiness is contagious.

Parade

Parade (May 8, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: May 8, 2009)

Every parade should include The Kitty Float, don't you think?

Hierarchy

Hierarchy (May 1, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: May 1, 2009)

The Mother Kitty is insulted that this might be in question.


Theater

Theater (April 23, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: April 23, 2009)

After I returned home from a classical music concert at the Strathmore, I told The Kitties all about Prokofiev's powerful "Romeo and Juliet." (Well, OK, Gordon was more interested in the Radiohead portion of the concert, but....) They were all so taken by it, that they decided to revisit the play on the spot. The leads were obvious, even though Comet hasn't yet learned his cues...or his lines.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Impossibility

Impossibility (April 17, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: April 17, 2009)

I once tried to convince the kitties that swimming in the ocean is an adventure worth trying. They think otherwise.

Fleeting


Fleeting (April 10, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: April 10, 2009)

A kitty leap is fleeting. Blink and you'll miss it.

Talisman

Talisman (April 3, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: April 3, 2009)

Here, Ashes presents Comet with a Courage Talisman, which she crafted in her spare time. (She loves her jewelry!) I think he likes it. And, I'm sure it will slowly work its magic.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Legendary

Legendary (March 13, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: March 13, 2009)

At a very early age, it was clear that Gordon was no ordinary cat. The day he left home, we knew he was bound for greatness. These days, he's well on his way to becoming legendary.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Intricate

Intricate (March 6, 2009)
(Illustration Friday - March 6, 2009)

An intricate pile of kitties on a lazy afternoon...

Breezy

Breezy (February 27, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: February 27, 2009)

During our most recent blast of frigid weather, The Kitties couldn't help dreaming of the first breezy day of spring. Anytime now would be fine.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Instinct

Instinct (February 20, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: February 20, 2009)

One day, Gordon noticed a white caterpillary-looking thing crawling around on our porch. After weighing his options carefully, I think he made the smart decision.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Celebrate!

Celebrate! (February 13, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: February 13, 2009)

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!!!

Time

Time (February 6, 2009)
(Illustration Friday - February 6, 2009 - Time)

Time is no object when Simon, star point guard for The World Champion Boston Celtics, is in the middle of a game (even if it's just a practice one).

Flawed

Flawed (January 30, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: January 30, 2009)

All of The Kitties are strays who found their way into our lives. Who knows why they were given up on/thrown out/lost, but we were happy to welcome them, flaws and all.

Climbing

Climbing (January 23, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: January 23, 2009)

The Mother Kitty's favorite tree is outside our garage doorway. She would often tackle it with her ferocious claws. One day, she climbed it so high that we considered calling the fire department, but we couldn't help laughing, congratulating her on the achievement, taking photos, and hoping that she'd find her way back down in one piece. (She did.)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Contained

Contained (January 9, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: January 9, 2009)

I told The Kitties a secret over the weekend. They are containing themselves surprisingly well so far.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Resolute

Resolute (January 1, 2009)
(Illustration Friday: January 2, 2009)

With the new year, The Kitties have resolved to conquer The Ribbon. (They make the same resolution every year, of course, but don't discourage them!)