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

Walnut Park, Portland, Oregon Commission

Posted on August 10, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

A commission to create a painting from photographs for an intern leaving for the next leg of her journey landed on my desk. I typically work on several images at the same time; it relieves the pressure in case one … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, commission, making a living, painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #bungalows, #Portlandoregon, #streetscene, architecture, commission, Daniel Smith watercolors, grisaille, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Noodlers ink, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor | 15 Comments

VSW: Barcelona, 3, Palace Guell

Posted on August 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

The rooftop chimney skins in the Palace Guell are so beautiful — like sculpture gardens. When the families lived in this palace, I wonder how often they used the rooftop sculpture garden and for what — did they have lunch … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, ink painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Antonio Gaudi, architecture, art journal, Barcelona, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, M.Graham, maps, mosaic, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | Leave a comment

VSW: Barcelona, 2, Map

Posted on August 7, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Made a map of our walk, starting at the World Trade center at the wharf. Heading up to the Palace Guell, Casa Batllo, and the Casa Mila! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, ink painting, pen & ink, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Antonio Gaudi, architecture, art journal, Barcelona, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, M.Graham, maps, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 4 Comments

Tools, 8, Testing Nemosine Inks

Posted on August 6, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Inks on sale at Goulet prompted a few new colors to miraculously land on my desk. I’d sampled Nemosine Aeolis Palus Red + Solar Storm (orange). Right, I played with the orange in both the Pilot medium nib Metropolitan … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, drawing, ink painting, painting, pen & ink, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Nemosine inks, Platinum Carbon pen, Super5 ink, watercolor | 14 Comments

Art Journal of a High and Low Week

Posted on August 5, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

This was a week of highs and extreme lows. I am glad I started the journaling again last week because sanity prevailed, if for no other reason than I had a page to write in instead of laying it all … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, journal, meditation, memory, sketchbook, writing | Tagged #artjournal, #memorycatcher, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, gratitude, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, PSU, PSU Outdoor Market, Robert Oster ink, Sennelier, Super5 ink, watercolor | 12 Comments

VSW: Barcelona, 1, Looking for Gaudi

Posted on August 4, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

This month on our virtual walk we are looking for Antonio Gaudi… Admittedly, by the time I landed in Barcelona I was burned out on travel, and spent more time eating and shopping for boots before returning home… However, Gaudi was … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, ink painting, memory, pen & ink, virtual sketching, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged Antonio Gaudi, architecture, art journal, Barcelona, Daniel Smith watercolors, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Fineline masking fluid, Holbein, Lamy Al-Star, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, M.Graham, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 6 Comments

Hahnemühle Post Cards, 7, Palms

Posted on August 1, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

A tropical island, one place I go that is my happy place… Not too hot, Pacific Ocean, breezes. Brunaille and grisaille underpainting. Sent! Laguna Beach iconic view — from one of many photos I’ve taken over the years. Brunaille and … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, drawing, ink painting, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, #WorldWatercolorMonth, art journal, brunaille, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, grisaille, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Holbein, Laguna Beach, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Neocolor II, palm tree, palms, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Robert Oster ink, Super5 ink, watercolor | 4 Comments

USk: Yama Sushi

Posted on July 31, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Yama Sushi, named after Yamantaka, apparently! First time was for our anniversary. Discovered just before we found the kitties. A sign. Amazing sushi, clean, fresh fish, good sushi man, and a woman sushi chef (wow a first!) No more having … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, process, sketchcrawl, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #WorldWatercolorMonth, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Lamy Al-Star, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Oregon, Pearl District Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, urban sketchers, USk, watercolor, Yama Sushi | Leave a comment

New Art Journal

Posted on July 29, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve been so busy getting my new website live and cleaning my studio and sorting art *and then that pesky thing, making a living at our business* on top of managin to keep up with World Watercolor Month, that I … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged #SoCS, #WorldWatercolorMonth, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Dr. Qin, Golden Needle, Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Stream of Consciousness Saturday, Super5 ink, watercolor | 4 Comments

USk: Cargo Portland

Posted on July 27, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Picking up an old Fabriano Watercolor journal that I really don’t like *but will finish off in some way, like the 100 faces challenge* I came across an old drawing of the building in the Pearl that originally housed Cargo, … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, memory, process, sketchcrawl, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #WorldWatercolorMonth, art journal, Cargo, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Lamy Al-Star, Mitchell Powell, Oregon, Pearl District Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, urban sketchers, watercolor | 10 Comments

NEW dkatiepowellart.com Site!

Posted on July 26, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

New dkatiepowellart.com site is up and running! This is far improved from my old site in that it is easier to negotiate buying and selling of originals and prints on my own site (once I get the kinks worked out), … Continue reading →

Posted in art, making a living | Tagged #newartsite, #WorldWatercolorMonth, buying art, dkatiepowellart, selling art, shop | 8 Comments

I’ve been Doodlewashed!

Posted on July 25, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

YaY! I’m the guest artist for Doodlewash! If you don’t know Doodlewash, you should become a member today — Great blog, great guest artists, great product reviews! *i really am so excited*

Posted in art journal | Tagged Doodlewash, guest artist, interview | 16 Comments

Hahnemühle Post Cards, 6

Posted on July 24, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I had no idea when I began playing with the Hahnemühle Post Cards that I would love them so much! Trading postcards, sending an actual watercolor, and now, gifting them to Patreons! Now I am comfortable with the ribbed rough paper, … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, drawing, ink painting, painting, pen & ink, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, #WorldWatercolorMonth, art journal, brunaille, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, grisaille, grisaille underpainting, Hahnemühle Post Cards, Holbein, Indian paintbrush, iris, Lamy Joy, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Neocolor II, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, pussywillow, rosebud, Super5 ink, watercolor | Leave a comment

Tools: Hahnemühle Carnet de Voyage (Bamboo)

Posted on July 23, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Today I played with the Hahnemühle Carnet de Voyage (the Bamboo Journal). First off, I love the cover! Hahnemühle uses lovely pieces of art for all their covers, and if I were to use this as an actual journal, after … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, journal, pen & ink, process, review, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged #WorldWatercolorMonth, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Diamine Regency Blue ink, Fineline masking fluid, Hahnemühle Bamboo, Hahnemühle Carnet de Voyage, Hahnemühle sketchbook review, Holbein, Johnnie jump-ups, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Bear’s Tee Pee

Posted on July 22, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

A study in shadows, quick quick before I had much time to think from our virtual walk on favorite object, one of Bear’s. Leaving a swath of white helped I think! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook! ☾ … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, virtual sketching | Tagged #WorldWatercolorMonth, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Holbein, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

USk: PAG Trip to Monitor

Posted on July 21, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

This shows you how busy I’ve been! April 29th PAG took a field trip to Donovan Harding’s amazing woodworking shop, Monitor Millworks. He creates doors and windows the way they did them in the late 19th century. He was kind … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, journal, process, sketchcrawl, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged #WorldWatercolorMonth, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, dog, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Lamy Al-Star, Mount Angel, Oregon, PAG, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, urban sketchers, USk, watercolor | 4 Comments

Masking Fluid

Posted on July 19, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

You know when you are about to write a blog post because you’ve just discovered everything you think you know about something then someone else does it and does it better? BTW, I swear by Fineline Masking Fluid. 9 Tips … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal | Tagged Fineline masking fluid | 2 Comments

HBG: Dr. Prull

Posted on July 18, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Lest you think that the saga of the quarantine will be forever, I think this is my last post on the quarantine days. *they are now with us, you know* But really, it is a testimony to the power of … Continue reading →