Author Archives: D. Katie Powell

Unknown's avatar

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

The Grace of Ritual

Posted on August 14, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

My gratitude was easier even though it was a tough week. Politics is effecting me, making me so sad. While we try to live in the present, we also look to the future, as Chagdud Rinpoche once said, “with a … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, journal, meditation, memory, sketchbook, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

In place of Tools: Black and White

Posted on August 13, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

No post on tools today, but two cool interviews to share: Robert Gamblin and others from Gamblin paints interviewed by Savvy Painter And a very interesting read (or I thought so) by Robert Gamblin on Getting the Right White. And … Continue reading →

Posted in color, commentary | 2 Comments

Sketches toward the commission

Posted on August 11, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I work a couple of sketches similar to the commissioned pieces. trying strokes for leaves, sky variations, whatever I need to play with! The two small studies of bungalows in NW Portland (below) turned out okay for test subjects!! They … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, commission, making a living, pen & ink, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , | 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 , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments