In my other life (the one that pays the bills), Mitchell and I own a conservation business which conserves (restores) antiquities, both private and institutional.
I do a lot of finish (painting, shellacking) work in our business,
as well as cleaning, needlework on textiles.
The DAR approached us to recreate the First Flag of the State of Washington in order that the historic flag which hangs in the Reception Room of the Legislative Building be preserved. The saga of the flag is posted on the business blog,
I thought you might find this interesting… My other identity!
If you want to read about the prep for the drafts, below, go here.
I sketch in our business a lot and don’t think to share that,
but I recently did and you all enjoyed it, I thought to share these personal notes.
I don’t know why I never thought it might interest my readers —
especially as I am a studio and journal voyeur!
Throughout a painting project I take notes for myself…
Thinking out loud… journaling… reminders!
I can think without a pen in hand but it is not the same.
Having pen-in-hand makes me remember everything,
ties together my visual/auditory/kinesthetic memories!
Not sure why, but sometimes I write the music or
audiobook I am listening to in the studio.
I also take notes for future and for clients and the business blog posts,
but I usually do those in a separate journal that is only for studio notes,
something that a client could peruse and not run into personal items.
Sometimes I even image them and send them along to the curator/owner.
The painted notes accompany the text pages.
Working green George I became much more comfortable with the paint colors
and the techniques to create his likeness. His face needs to be a bit thinner and
his hair is a bit wildly curly still. Painting George has prompted me to review other
images of Washington, because really, while I am creating a likeness of the flag,
I am not a forger and have come to realize the painting will have my hand and strokes
no matter how I attempt to reproduce it. What I want is his eyes to look at you in the manner of the flag and his smile (which has degraded) to be accurate to his personality.
This has been an honor and adventure so far;
really nothing I’ve done to date has been quite like it.
I will post the final when it is complete.
To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook
or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com
“Memory is more indelible than ink.”
Anita Loos, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
“I think not….”
Me… why I journal!
Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook, my own Redbubble notebooks,
Arches watercolor paper, Da Vinci watercolors,
Lamy Vista with Monteverde Californian Teal,
Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges.
©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back to dkatiepowellart.
☾
As my Patreon supporter, you will have
access to some content not on this website,
sneak previews, goodies, discounts on classes.
I teach architectural sketching,
art journaling (art+writing), creativity, watercolors.
That annoying loud-mouth editor/critic in your head? GONE! How great would that be?
