Author Archives: D. Katie Powell

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

Connection

Posted on March 29, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I’m journalling daily in my Nostalgie with images almost every page… Too personal to publish, as family is still alive. This images was swirling around in my head for days in deep blue. It has something to do with what … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #artjournal, #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, connection, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, family, Fineline masking fluid, Lamy Joy, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, watercolor | Leave a comment

VSW: Basilique Saint Michel Archangel, Menton

Posted on March 26, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Drawing the Basilique Saint Michel Archangel in Menton, France on our virtual sketchwalk! This difficult image from Wikimedia caught my eye from the beginning. I started with a pencil sketch. Again, dispelling the myth that you should not use pencils. … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, creativity, drawing, pen & ink, pencil, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #church, #danielsmithprimateks, #danielsmithwatercolors, #mentonfrance, architecture, art journal, Catholic church, Daniel Smith watercolors, France, Holbein, M.Graham, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 2 Comments

USk: Cherry Blossoms

Posted on March 25, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Every year I am too busy OR the rains hit so fast that the blossoms drop. This year I caught them! I was out doing some disgusting errands with Mitchell *IRS, SSI, government, ugh* when we came upon the riverfront … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, landscape, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #cherryblossoms, #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, #riverfront, #urbansketcher, #urbansketchingportland, #uskportland, art journal, cherry blossoms, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Lamy Joy, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, spring., USk, watercolor, Willamette | 2 Comments

Commercial Break

Posted on March 24, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I had to share… Dan Antion wrote about commercials and damn I watched these and cried… uplifting. After the last couple weeks I needed a good laugh and cry for schmaltzy sentimental reasons… Puppies and love and a horse that … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary | 6 Comments

Tools: Derwent Palette (Pencil Case)

Posted on March 23, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Yes, another Palette! I swear my last one (fingers crossed!) Jenn understands that I paint in bed in the middle of the night AND like lots of colors. On her recommendation (Just Add Water Silly) I bought the Derwent Empty … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Derwent pencil case, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Fineline masking fluid, Holbein, KWZ Ink Foggy Green, Lamy Al-Star, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor | 10 Comments

Lojong 32: Boddhisattva Vow

Posted on March 22, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

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 →

Posted in art, Buddha, journal, lojong, meditation, pen & ink, ritual, tonglen | Tagged #refugevow, Boddhisattva Vow, buddha, buddha ball, Buddhist teachings, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, lojong, Neocolor II, Okina Journals, pen and ink, Refuge Vow, tonglen, watercolor, weeping buddha, Zen Buddha | 1 Comment

Chocolate Cake for Monday

Posted on March 19, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I needed a new birthday wish cake to send out via email on friend’s birthdays! I made up this chocolate raspberry cake middle of the night when I was wanting just this! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, drawing, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #chocolatecake, #danielsmithwatercolors, #davinciwatercolors, #MGrahamwatercolors, #middleofthenight, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, cake, Da Vinci Watercolors, Daniel Smith watercolors, Fineline masking fluid, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, watercolor | 21 Comments

Sketchbook Project: Hope and Fear, 2017

Posted on March 18, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Last year was the first year I participated in the Sketchbook Project, the project out of Brooklyn whereby people from all over the world buy a small sketchbook, fill it, choose to have it imaged or not, and it sits … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #middleofthenight, #sketchbookproject, #underwater, cuppa joe, Daniel Smith watercolors, fear, Fineline masking fluid, Holbein, Hope, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Sketchbook Project, watercolor | 10 Comments

Tools: TWSBI ECO for St. Patty’s Day

Posted on March 17, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

For Valentine’s Day Mitchell gifted me with the Lamy Al-Star in the new pink *flowers and pens and ink and watercolors, the man knows the way to my heart* but the color was really meh… not bright fuchsia or magenta … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, review, sketchbook, tools, watercolor | Tagged #davinciwatercolors, #Hahnemühle, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, #twsbieco, art journal, Da Vinci Watercolors, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Rohrer & Klingner ink, Super5 ink, TWSBI ECO 1.1stub, watercolor | 6 Comments

VSW: Menton France

Posted on March 15, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Quick doodling sketches while waiting for yet another crazy phone call from hospital staff… NOTHING like art to calm and soothe! Moleskin journal, Platinum Carbon Pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges, Da Vinci, Holbein, MGraham, DS Primatek and Daniel … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #artjournal, #cityscape, #frenchriviera, #mentonfrance, #nautical, #palmtrees, #virtualsketchwalk, bay, beach, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, M.Graham, Moleskin Watercolor journal, palm tree, palm trees, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, sketchbook, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | Leave a comment

VSW: Getaway to Menton France

Posted on March 13, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I am walking through stressful family times and painting late at night when I can’t sleep is a soul-saver. An image with a CC agreement from Daniel70mi Falciola took me away, with the bright blue sky and sea. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #artjournal, #frenchriviera, #mentonfrance, #nautical, #palmtrees, #virtualsketchwalk, bay, beach, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, M.Graham, palm tree, palm trees, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, sketchbook, Stillman & Birn, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 6 Comments

Difficult Mom

Posted on March 12, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

My mom may be unable to stay in her apartment. This is hard for us, harder for her. Fortunately, not one of her friends, doctors, nurses, etc., disagrees with us, which helps to make the decision clear-cut. Still, is is … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, journal, painting, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Fineline masking fluid, Holbein, KWZ Ink Foggy Green, Lamy Al-Star, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor | 25 Comments

Jai’s Death

Posted on March 11, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve had a pencil sketch of Jai in my moleskin for two years. I sketched it from one of the last pictures we took of him. I penciled it just after he died, and I’ve been unable to finish it. … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, journal, loss, memory, painting, ritual, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #danielsmithwatercolors, #davinciwatercolors, #ilovemycats, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #pfeifferart, #tabby, art journal, Cat, Da Vinci Watercolors, Daniel Smith watercolors, Govinda Jai, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, siamese cats, watercolor | 8 Comments

Hahnemühle Calendar Contest!

Posted on March 10, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Hahnemühle launched their calendar contest — All about RED, my favorite color! Their calendars are the most beautiful! Click to see the rules and the upload portal!

Posted in challenge | Tagged #Hahnemühle | 2 Comments

Painting Savitri

Posted on March 9, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I often see this face when I am just waking up… She finds ways to get up over my head and stare down… A cheery cheery face. Painting Savitri is pushing me to learn and experiment, especially when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #danielsmithwatercolors, #davinciwatercolors, #Hahnemühle, #ilovemycats, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, #Siamese, art journal, Cat, Da Vinci Watercolors, Daniel Smith watercolors, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR, QoR watercolors, siamese cats, watercolor | 16 Comments

Lojong: 31 Benefits of Practice

Posted on March 8, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

Posted in art, Buddha, journal, lojong, meditation, pen & ink, ritual, tonglen, watercolor | Tagged #egoclinging, #sevenpointsoftrainingthemind, #trainingthemind, #weepingbuddha, buddha, buddha ball, lojong, Neocolor II, Okina Journals, pen and ink, Seven Points, tonglen, watercolor, weeping buddha, zazen, Zen Buddha | 2 Comments

Hahnemühle Post Cards, Posies

Posted on March 7, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

It is such fun to try handmade paints from JazperStardust and PfeifferArt. I played with them in posies on Hahnemühle post cards… I use masking for ease, and to get the white dots at the end… Jazper’s Lapis up against … Continue reading →

Posted in art, cards, color, ink painting, meditation, pen & ink, watercolor | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #HahnemühlePostCards, #handmadepaints, #handmadewatercolors, #jazperstardust, #pfeifferart, floral, flower, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Hahnemühle Postcards, posies | 2 Comments

VSW: Witch’s House or Spadena House, Los Angeles

Posted on March 5, 2018 by D. Katie Powell

I used to drive by the Witch’s House in West Los Angeles, or Spadena House, and wish they’d take care of it. Nice that finally someone has… And you can see inside at what he’s done with it! I used … Continue reading →