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

Morning Coffee

I wanted to be writing a different kind of blog about my artwork “Morning Coffee” today. I sketch about our lives, and especially times with Mitchell and the cats, the best times of the day, cooking, laughing, color, sharing. Mitchell … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, calligraphy, cards, copyleft, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, making a living, memory, painting, pen & ink, ritual, sketchbook, tools, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Comfort Food

I made the best spicy chicken pot au feau! Mitchell loved it — and I love it in all its incarnations but he loved this one because of the rich beet broth addition. This WILL help heal a cold! BTW, … Continue reading

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Tools: Sailor Mo Tangerine Ink

No Lojong today… Wicked busy shellacking to a deadline! First trip to Oblation Papers here in Portland. It took a friend visiting from out of town — so sorry I had not gone before but better for my wallet! Great … Continue reading

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1584 by Hahnemühle Giveaway!

The new 1584 Journal by Hahnemühle was sent to me for review by Hahnemühle. They also sent me two journals for giveaway! I added everything you need for your first day out with your journal! To enter, sign up below … Continue reading

Posted in calligraphy, ink painting, journal, pen & ink, review, sketchbook, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

1584 by Hahnemühle, Journal, Review

The new “1584 by Hahnemühle” notebook was sent to me for review by Hahnemühle. I am both a fountain pen user and daily journaler, so this journal was a timely gift! I have been happy with all my paper products … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Painting on Demand

I find commission work, or painting on demand, very different than painting for myself.  I spend most of my time creating for myself, exploring something that I find interesting, a medium or color or an idea. Commission work is usually … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, commission, history, oil paint, painting, portrait | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Purple Lilies

Ink-painting with lovely new ink colors… Nostalgie sketchbook takes watercolor washes well, but sometimes ink washes get bogged down in the paper… Especially inks I have not played with enough to see how they move. Troublemaker Sea Glass (green) is … Continue reading

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Sammy’s Chair

    Sammy held the post as Chief Studio Cat and Greeter! When clients visited, he was never shy… He came out to set them at ease and contribute to our contractual discussions. Whenever a new piece came into the studio, … Continue reading

Posted in animals, art journal, ink painting, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

VSW: Bellingham, Larrabee State Park

View of the Larrabee State Park, near Bellingham, WA, from a photo by “Complicated” on Flickr.  Doodling in keeping my commitment to a sketch a day, with a Conklin Duragraph w/ 1.1 Stub with Super5 Australia ink. This one started … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, landscape, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lojong 48: Train Without Bias

I’ve studied through the slogans a dozen times in my life; these are my musings on the slogan currently, what comes up on the day that I am posting the slogan, not a formal interpretation. For that reason they are … Continue reading

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Tools: Esterbrook “Estie” Blueberry

I adore this lovely Estie… it is not the newer Lilac color but the older Blueberry. It is a cross between lovey deep blue-purples and mother-of-pearl. Sweet stub nib glides across the Nostalgie paper! Esterbrook is an excellent company — … Continue reading

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VSW: Egypt, 4 Giza Sphinx

View of the Sphinx, from a photo by Evalyn Baker.  Doodling in keeping my commitment to a sketch a day, with a TWSBI Eco 1.1 with Robert Oster Aussie Brown ink. If you’d like to take our virtual sketchwalks the … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Troublemaker’s Sea Glass!

I’ve been waiting to try Troublemaker Inks for a long time… My first bottle (there will be more) finally arrived from Cebu, a province of the Philippines after several weeks, and that after waiting to order for several months. Now … Continue reading

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VSW: Egypt, 3 River

View of the river banks near the Valley of the Kings, from a photo by Evalyn Baker.  If you’d like to take our virtual sketchwalks the images are posted in this closed facebook group — come join us! To hear … Continue reading

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Lojong 47: Encouragement

I’ve studied through the slogans a dozen times in my life; these are my musings on the slogan currently, what comes up on the day that I am posting the slogan, not a formal interpretation. For that reason they are … Continue reading

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SoCS: Choices

I  journal mornings with stream of consciousness exercises, and participate in Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday  whenever I have time.  I write to a timer, 15-20 minutes, no editing except spelling, and of course I add my art!  You … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Green Weenie

I was lucky enough to get a couple more Slag Greys before Nick and Josh announced their new line — and picked up some Bob Prince Green Weenie.  If you are inclined, they have a few more bottles of older … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tools: A Black and White Palette

I don’t use black, white or grey often — or metallics.  The exception is Daniel Smith’s Hematite, right, which I love to mix with earth tones in city sketches.  It is too easy to mix a color without black or … Continue reading

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