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

CC’s Sunflower

Posted on December 5, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

When I was sick with this cold, I painted things that made me happy. CC had such a cheery image of one of her sunflowers! A huge sunflower with a deep brown center… To hear about classes, follow me on … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, journal, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #danielsmithwatercolors, #davinciwatercolors, #gouletnib, #Hahnemühle, #middleofthenight, art journal, Da Vinci Watercolors, Daniel Smith watercolors, flower, Holbein, Jinhao, sunflower, Sunflowers | 6 Comments

USk: City Market and Blue Moon Cafe

Posted on December 1, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I was just getting sick the weekend of the USk worldwide walk. I managed a couple of sketches that were not painted until later — I’ve wanted to paint the marigold City Market in Autumn against fiery trees… now that … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, process, sketchcrawl, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #alphabetdistrict, #bluemoon, #bluemooncafe, #citymarket, #urbansketcher, #urbansketching, Alphabet District, architecture, art journal, Art Nouveau, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Hahnemühle Watercolour Book, Lamy Al-Star, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, Thursday Doors, urban sketchers, USk, watercolor | 14 Comments

VSW: Flash Mob in Hartford, Connecticut

Posted on November 30, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Last images of Hartford Connecticut this month. I love Flash Mobs, the surprise and delight! When I found one in Hartford I decided to try sketching from it. Still keeping with the very fast sketches! LAST images in the Fabriano…. … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, pen & ink, virtual sketching, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged #Connecticut, #flashmob, #Lamy, architecture, art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Hartford, Lamy Al-Star, Lamy LX, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Platinum Preppy pen, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Genius of Connecticut

Posted on November 29, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

She is called the “Genius of Connecticut” located in the Connecticut State Capitol Building. Keeping with quick studies, I used DeAtramentis Document Brown for line. I began a slow buildup of DEA Doc Brown ink (brunaille) in a waterbrush to … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, virtual sketching | Tagged #geniusstatue, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Hartford, Holbein, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 4 Comments

Thanksgiving Cow Goddess

Posted on November 28, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Two days off — this is a big deal this year as we’ve been working round the clock. As I’ve not been up to snuff (bad cold!) we didn’t do some things we might have — Like putting up twinkle … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #cowgoddess, #cowlamp, #danielsmithwatercolors, #davinciwatercolors, #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #nostalgiejournal, #peanutbutterbacontoast, #Tassel, art journal, bacon, cow lamp, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, recipe, Sennelier, Thanksgiving, watercolor | 10 Comments

VSW: Hartford, Connecticut

Posted on November 27, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Sketchwalk is in Hartford Connecticut this month. For one thing, let me tell you that this dyslexic has a hard time remembering the order of the letters in Conn-ect-i-cut. I have the dang word hand-written to the side all over … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #Connecticut, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Hartford, Holbein, Lamy LX, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Platinum Preppy pen, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Apple Pie

Posted on November 25, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Apparently we found the culprits making our bodies swell and ache with arthritis. We are giving up these kinds of desserts; kinda heartbreaking. The good news is feeling better in our bodies again AND not having to do drugs AND … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #applepie, #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Lamy Al-Star, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Primatek, watercolor | 4 Comments

California Tiles

Posted on November 22, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I love watercolors with tobacco ink… These are mostly my new Da Vinci watercolors sparkling, running, mimicking the lovely California tile glazes… I love working with California painted furniture. California tiles take me home, to open houses and arched doorways … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged #californiatiles, #davinciwatercolors, #deatramentisink, #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #masonmonterey, #middleofthenight, #montereyfurniture, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, Da Vinci Watercolors, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Tobacco ink, gratitude, Lamy LX, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, watercolor | Leave a comment

Jilanne’s Dogwoods

Posted on November 20, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Jilanne Hoffmann has a great blog on writing, and is a blogging buddy. She shared her dogwood poem with me; I had to put it into my art journal. I am grateful for the friends I’ve made through blogging. Thank … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, ink painting, journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, writing | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, dogwood, Jinhao, KWZ Ink Foggy Green, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor | 4 Comments

Gratitude, Everyday Practice

Posted on November 15, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve journaled for ever. It is only since picking up watercolors that my journal entries have gone beyond sketching and perhaps colored pencils into what I do now, but the discipline and connection to reflection and sustenance was embedded long … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #artjournal, #givingthanks, #Hahnemühle, #journalling, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, gratitude, Holbein, 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 | 22 Comments

USk World-wide Sketchout: Autumn at the Studio

Posted on November 12, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Yesterday was a worldwide USk sketchout, and I am swamped. But the trees outside the studio had not lost their leaves YET (starting) so into freezing car and parked down the block and looked up at the studio. My finish … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, landscape, sketchbook, sketchcrawl, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #danielsmithwatercolors, #davinciwatercolors, #nwindustrialsanctuary, #nwportland, #urbansketching, #USkGlobal24hrSketchwalk, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Jinhao, Portland Oregon, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 10 Comments

Monterey Platform Rocker

Posted on November 11, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I’m a lucky woman. I am paid to work in brilliant color on pieces of California history. I love the smell of oil paint when I open the studio door. Catching the wavy base and angles in this drawing — … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, history, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #coronado, #delrey, #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #masonmonterey, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, #plarformrocker, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, furniture, Goulet nib, Holbein, Jinhao, Lamy Joy, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Primatek, Sennelier, watercolor | Leave a comment

Lake Oswego Tree

Posted on November 10, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

We were going to a client meeting before the leaves dropped, and the Lake Oswego trees were exceptional! I had a chance to sketch before coming back to the studio.I tried this technique unsuccessfully (not what I was going for, … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #Lamy, #nostalgiejournal, #portlandurbansketcher, #urbansketcher, 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, USk, watercolor | 10 Comments

Hahnemuhle Nostalgie Journal Wrap-up

Posted on November 7, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve been so busy I forgot to post my flip side-show on my last journal. Thankfully, no music accompanied this one. (Mac tends to continue to override my commands.) This journal is from July to October 2017… Yes I omitted … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, 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 | 2 Comments

Quan Yin

Posted on November 5, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

My first entry is the lovely god/dess Quan Yin, aka Kannon, or Kwan Yin. She began life as a he, and over many years evolved into she. The goddess of compassion, akin to Avalokiteshvara / Chenrezig and the Taras. Line … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #Hahnemühle, #KwanYin, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, #QuanYin, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Fineline masking fluid, goddess, Holbein, Kannon, Kwan Yin, 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, Quan Yin, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor | 2 Comments

Hahnemühle Post Cards: Saying Thank You

Posted on November 3, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve thanked blogging friends before for offering their amazing images for the Virtual Sketchwalk group to draw… but now I have little postcards with which to thank them. Dan Antion‘s Dunkin’ Donut! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, cards, drawing, ink painting, pen & ink, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #dunkindonuts, #HahnemühlePostCards, #thankyou, #virtualsketchwalk, Daniel Smith watercolors, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Hartford, Holbein, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 11 Comments

Nostalgie, Beginning a New Journal, Hygge

Posted on October 30, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I wanted to tell my readers that I am sorry I missed so many comments for many weeks, and am now going back through them. I wasn’t being lazy or busy (I was busy) — WP notifications changed! I opened … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, ink painting, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #feminism, #Hahnemühle, #influences, #Lamy, #middleofthenight, #nostalgiejournal, #robertosterink, #women, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, family, Lamy Al-Star, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Robert Oster ink, watercolor | 13 Comments

Hahnemühle Post Cards, VLOG, Gardenia

Posted on October 29, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Braving another go at a video, my other first try! Lighting is better… About ink painting, shown on a Hahnemühle Post Card. Tips: I pin my postcards on a stiff board (I use the mailing envelopes from Redbubble). I can … Continue reading →