I filled the page that I started with the Mesothelae spider with random sketches, mostly from life. Gabriel decided to read a book, so he stood in profile for a long time studiously turning pages. I managed to get a good detailed drawing of him. Sascha was so cute, but she was also moving like a seven week old kitten bouncing all over the place. So I was only able to get a quick sketch of her, but I think I got her expression. I did better with my cat, who sat under the end table and looked up at me, letting me draw him, and some assorted unliving objects or things I copied from Giovanni Civardi's "Complete Guide to Drawing."

I kept going on the next page. Ari got up into the window and stayed there a long time. Then did the leaf from the front cover of the Civardi book and sketched him again on the back of the couch, just a quick gesture sketch. I love the shape of his body and the masses of his hips and thighs, the way his back bends in the middle and the shape of his head. Cat anatomy has fascinated me for years.

Late at night when the house is quiet is wonderful for me. Most of the time it's when I'm at my best, most alert, more likely to be able to move around or be creative. It's when I write. But sometimes if I've been up all night the morning is cool too. It depends a lot on weather, whether I've slept, what I'm doing and what I feel like. Sometimes I love the brightness of the afternoon especially on a sunny day. In general I'm more of a night person, but when I get in an art mood the daylight in summer is wonderful. I think I enjoy all times of the day and most of all enjoy not having to structure my time, because sometimes I stay up late in the morning and go right around the clock before sleeping. Though even then sometimes I'm up all night again, it's hardest to sleep at night and easiest in the middle of the day.