Author Archives: D. Katie Powell

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About D. Katie Powell

hollywood baby turned beach gurl turned steel&glass city gurl turned cowgurl turned herb gurl turned green city gurl. . . artist writer photographer. . . cat lover but misses our big dogs, gone to heaven. . . foodie, organic, lover of all things mik, partner in conservation business mpfconservation, consummate blogger, making a dream happen, insomniac who is either reading buddhist teachings or not-so-bloody mysteries or autobio journal thangs early in the morning when i can't sleep

B is for Brush Pens! A-to-A Challenge

Posted on April 2, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I am just learning to use brush pens, as I move to smaller formats and water colors to work my artistic ways.   Brush pens are these super devices where the water is carried in  tube which attaches to the watercolor … Continue reading →

Posted in art, creativity, journal, painting, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

A is fo Asphaltum, A-to-Z Challenge

Posted on April 1, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I discovered asphaltum when I was conserving/restoring two dozen pieces of Mason Monterey furniture for the National Park Service.   Being a painter who up until that time primarily used acrylics, I had never heard of it before. Asphaltum (also called … Continue reading →

Posted in art, oil paint, painting | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Working With Watercolors in My Journal: Paint Party Friday

Posted on March 28, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I know that the best way to get over fear-of-watercolor-mistakes is to make a lot of them.  So I finally dove into my journals, coloring sketches and moving graphite with water.  the sketch above was partly made on-site; then colored … Continue reading →

Posted in art, creativity, drawing, graphite, journal, painting, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

My A-to-Z Reveal: AR

Posted on March 25, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

This is a no-brainer.  In the A-to-Z Challenge I will be writing about ART techniques and process and interesting facts about art products.  I promise not to be an advertisement, but give info on why I like this or that, … Continue reading →

Posted in writing | 6 Comments

Process: Struggling with Watercolors

Posted on March 24, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I was able to carve out a day to play with my new watercolors from Daniel Smith.  Having good watercolors makes a huge difference in my finished product, the viability and brilliance of the colors and the way they lay … Continue reading →

Posted in art, color, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Garuda Sketch: Paint Party Friday

Posted on March 21, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

Paint Party Friday’s post this week is about Mitchell’s Garuda statue. Mitchell went to a friend’s home and they were drumming.  The drumming was meant to further visions, for which Mitchell had no experience.  He achieved a trance-like state, closed … Continue reading →

Posted in art, drawing, painting, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A Very Cool Journal Company Here In Portland

Posted on March 20, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I am promoting a very cool, very GREEN business here in Portland Oregon, Ex Libris Anonymous.  They take old books that are beyond reselling status that have good hardcovers, and turn them into wonderful writing or sketching journals! From their … Continue reading →

Posted in journal, sketchbook | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Paint Party Friday #1, As I am New to This Party

Posted on March 14, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

Been sick with the flu(?) cold(?) god/dess knows — but it has been a LONG time!  To entertain myself I have painted on shellacked paper with India ink.   Always in love with the sunny images of Mexico, and seen them … Continue reading →

Posted in art, painting, shellac | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Four Siblings: Part of “My Family” Series

Posted on March 13, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

Many moons ago I was part of a year-long study group with Brugh Joy, an amazing spiritual teacher.  We were given an exercise to get to know our ancestors and family, and write about it.  I painted it.  I painted … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, art, creativity, painting, series | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Basilica of the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo: Sketch to Finished Piece

Posted on March 9, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

Carmel Mission (long name is Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, link to Wiki article) is one of my favorite missions.  I am taking you through my sketching process from rough pencil sketches (which I wish I had not lost) to … Continue reading →

Posted in art, creativity, drawing, painting, process, shellac | 6 Comments

Emotional Art: Images as a Dream

Posted on March 7, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

A moonth stretches out in front of me, 1994.  My former husband is in South America, screwing a woman he met there on the pretense of traveling with a male friend, my friend too.  (No longer my friend too.)  The … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, art, journal, painting, process, series, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

PROCESS: From Acrylic to Oil Paints

Posted on March 5, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I paint with oils in our business but in my own artwork have used acrylics or gouache.  Painting in our business is very different; I am working precisely toward an image that is not mine, shown right, in a restorative or reproduction … Continue reading →

Posted in art, creativity, oil paint, process | Tagged , | Leave a comment

PROCESS: Patrick in my Art, or Detox Series 1995

Posted on March 4, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

In 1995 I was painting a hundred hearts, and in the middle of that series, my brother Patrick called from Seattle with hiccups that would not end, terrified, and said he was on his way to my house, hundreds of … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, art, journal, painting, process, series | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

My Palm Trees On Redbubble!

Posted on March 3, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I love palms and love my own palm trees.  It is odd in this day to hear an artist say they love this or that, but I can’t lie — I love my palms.  It is hard to part with … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, art, cards, prints, series | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weeping Buddha, or as I like to think of him, Compassionate Buddha

Posted on March 2, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

The Buddha statue made by young monks in Indonesia and Vietnam touched me when I first saw one at a retreat, and has been on my altar ever since.   He is now known popularly as “weeping Buddha,’ but I … Continue reading →

Posted in art, drawing, journal, painting, series, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ganesha + Deb Babcock’s Pottery Cheer

Posted on February 28, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

Still sick, but wanted to upload my cheery mug and one of my favorite Ganesha’s.  Mitchell and I both love Ganesha, and collect them — this is a small palm-sized resin statue, with my favorite potter’s mug, made special for … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art journal, gods and goddesses | Tagged , | Leave a comment

#29faces: The Worst Cold in History and I Painted Buddha

Posted on February 27, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve had the worst cold in history.  This cold virus should be packaged as a weapon.  After the first two days, going stark mad with boredom but having trouble standing due to dizziness, I finally got my wits about me … Continue reading →

Posted in art, drawing, journal, painting, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

My Foray Into Keeping a Watercolor Journal

Posted on February 19, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

I have not used watercolors in 25 years — and when I did, it was in a graphic manner or as an undercoat for colored pencils.    But I want to paint more, and need to work my painting into … Continue reading →

Posted in art, drawing, journal, painting, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments