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

Pink Posies on both Hahnemühle Post Cards

Loving the options of the two types of Hahnemühle Post Cards! Cold pressed on the left, above, and rough on the right. I found a way in to painting without line-work through a fellow painter, Tom Brudzinski… His is more … Continue reading

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Lojong 37: Staying Present

I’ve studied through the slogans a dozen times in my life; these are my musings on the slogan currently, not a formal interpretation. For that reason they are less about straight Buddhist teachings, and I think able to be shared … Continue reading

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Tools: New Cold Press Hahnemühle Post Cards

Loving Hahnemühle Post Cards as I do, I am thrilled to have the cold pressed option! Fabulous!  Perfect!  I am in love!! When I started with the first batch of post cards, highly textural, I loved the size/shape but struggled … Continue reading

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Painting Without Inking

The 30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge started June 1… The idea is to begin to paint directly with no inking and no real pencil work.  (I cheat.) If it were not Marc Holmes thang, I might not try it. He is … Continue reading

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Lojong 36: The Big Stuff First

I’ve studied through the slogans a dozen times in my life; these are my musings on the slogan currently, not a formal interpretation. For that reason they are less about straight Buddhist teachings, and I think able to be shared … Continue reading

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Buddha Om

Playing around, like ya do… Was a bit blue when I did it, and it cheered me.  Art cheers! I thought I was done but then I came back in with crayons and played around with deeper color.  A throwaway … Continue reading

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Tools: Review: Hahnemühle D and S Sketchbook

What is it about a new journal? I love the blank page — not one of those peeps who hates them. The Hahnemühle D & S Sketchbook (Draft and Sketch) is a new journal for me. I wanted to try … Continue reading

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VSW: Mexican Church

Growing up, I attended a Mexican mass at the San Juan Capistrano mission church. The shapes of Mexican architecture and the sounds of the language feel like home. The colors are also my colors in our home, warm and bright. … Continue reading

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Sketching for Presentations: French Sofa

More design sketches for our client, the owner of the Louis XVI Settee. Silk bolsters for the arms, with flirty tassel-dangly-bobs. French knotted India silk creating scrunchy pillows for the back. The entire sketch… You may remember that the LouisXVI … Continue reading

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

Curry is Magic

A good meal feels like it can solve anything. Or maybe it is just the cooking and the smell of curry filling the house. To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory … Continue reading

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USk: Walk in NW Portland

Late Spring walk in NW Portland; people are gardening! Passion-flowers, late daffys, lavender… seem a bit confused as we are having such strange weather! Had mom on my mind… Loving the Platinum Lavender Black ink, black with a touch of … Continue reading

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VSW: Diego Rivera’s Museum

From Frida to Diego! Or the place they shared together…. That amazing blue of hers is on her building! Sometimes it is simply better to leave line drawings alone… I liked them and I didn’t take but a couple pics. … Continue reading

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Lojong 35: Antidote to the World’s Sorrows

I’ve studied through the slogans a dozen times in my life; these are my musings on the slogan currently, not a formal interpretation. For that reason they are less about straight Buddhist teachings, and I think able to be shared … Continue reading

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Sketching for Presentations: Pair of Louies

I created design sketches from images and samples, so that we could better talk with our client about ideas for her sofa pillows. These are fancy pillows and the colors are lovely rusty jewel tones with touches of green and … Continue reading

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Tools: My Watercolor Journal

So you’ve seen the back of this journal… my Ink Journal! Paints are in the front!  I wanted to see all the paints I own and the ones I no longer own! *yesh, i pass on paints i don’t like … Continue reading

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VSW: Frida Kahlo’s Museum

This virtual walk is exciting for me because I love the vibrant colors of Mexico! For food, Chinese or Japanese is home; for color and furnishings, it is Mexican or Spanish! I started our walk at Frida Kahlo’s home/studio and … Continue reading

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Cat Squares, 1

I just keep the pen moving… Don’t think, just journal. Keeping this sketchbook at my work desk I remember little things all day… like the crazy stuff with the cats. Fifteen minutes for most of these, no thinking, just draw, … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

VSW: Fjord

Pure, Lofoten is one of the most beautiful places on the planet! I had to do another image from last month! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new and improved dkatiepowellart.com and sign up … Continue reading

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