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

My Lino101 Book

Posted on March 9, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I usually make study books, and this one was made in a little block print book that Tracey gave me — purr-fect for a block print memory of my first dive into the medium! This little book is a wrap-up … Continue reading →

Posted in art, cards, creativity, ink painting, print making, prints, process | Tagged #365sketch2017, Bristol, hand-printing, handmade papers, linoleum block, printing ink, rubber block, shellac | 2 Comments

#OneWeek100People2017 (I thought I was done)

Posted on March 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Okay this was fun for a bit… But still faces a no-go for me! Gregory allowed me to have a bit of fun with them, and find a way in… ONE more day, and no more. This time I mean … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, pen & ink, portrait | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Baby Face Nelson, Busgy Siegel, Capone, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Jim Morrison, Larry King, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Steve McQueen, USk, virtual sketching, Willie Nelson | Leave a comment

Announcing We Are The World Blogfest!

Posted on March 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Will you speak for peace? Social media and news in recent times has been filled with hate and negativity. Just as you cannot fight darkness, only light lamps, hate and negativity cannot be fought. We will bring love and happiness … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, commentary, journal, meditation, memory, writing | Tagged #WATWB, blogfest, In Darkness Be Light, We are the World | 27 Comments

#OneWeek100People2017

Posted on March 7, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

That’s a winner… Mitchell! Okay I thought I’d do the 100-faces-in-a-week. I’m not terrible with faces, I just am not too interested in drawing them. So here is one day of that, and no more. Can’t do challenges just because … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, graphite, pencil, portrait | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Mitchell Powell, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, virtual sketching, westwing | 8 Comments

Shoulda Quit While Ahead

Posted on March 6, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

It was on its way to be a good sketch and I should have STOPPED but I added water to the charcoal then red and this is what overworked looks like… Sorry Sammy! I’m gonna say my lack of judgement … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, pen & ink, portrait | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, cats, Fabriano Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Sammy | Leave a comment

Lino 101: First Day Out

Posted on March 5, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I am taking Tracey Fletcher King’s Lino Printing 101. Today was my first day to play — I watched the videos through my fuzzy-headed cold/flu thang, and finally gave the carving a go in bed over a tray! Mitchell puts up … Continue reading →

Posted in art, cards, creativity, ink painting, print making, prints, process | Tagged #365sketch2017, Bristol, hand-printing, handmade papers, Lino 101, linoleum block, printing ink, rubber block, shellac, Tracey Fletcher King | 6 Comments

USk: Another Cal-Bag

Posted on March 4, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

What can I say… it is outside my office window. Feeling stuck, I turn to a material I rarely use, Watercolor charcoal big fat pencil. If that won’t loosen you up — having no control with a fat dull tip … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, pen & ink, urban sketchers | Tagged architecture, art journal, Calbag, KWZ Foggy Green ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, NW Industrial Sanctuary Portland, Portland Urban Sketchers, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | Leave a comment

Sketchbook Project: Fear and Hope, Deportation

Posted on March 3, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I am participating in the Sketchbook Project this year. This year is that they have assigned topics. You choose FEAR or HOPE. Being a creative type I picked one but am not following it. I am doing Fear AND Hope. … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, ink painting, journal, watercolor, writing | Tagged art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, deportation, fear, Guadalupe, Hope, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Mexicans, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Sennelier, Sketchbook Project, Super5 ink, watercolor | 8 Comments

USk: SCBWI Day

Posted on March 2, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Somehow I have to sketch every day… Nothing special, a doodle in front and in the lecture hall. I felt like I was coming down with something by the end of the day… so a very half-hearted attempt to finish!! … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, pen & ink, urban sketchers | Tagged #365sketch2017, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, architecture, art journal, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, SCBWI, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | Leave a comment

USk: PAG lecture doodles

Posted on February 28, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Gads I even remembered to post the pic of me drawing… as I now have a phone on me. This will probably be the first and last time, but my husband is so sweet… About to become dueling phones… Stillman … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, pen & ink, urban sketchers | Tagged #365sketch2017, art journal, doodles, KWZ Ink Foggy Green, PAG, Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen, Portland Artisans Guild, Portland Urban Sketchers, Stillman & Birn, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | Leave a comment

USk: H&R Block, yup, Taxtime is Near….

Posted on February 28, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

The new construction in Portland is rather depressing. Here is the welcoming plaza between two buildings. Not one plant. BTW, I added the green and brown… Could not stand all that grey and I am a fan of the color…. … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, pen & ink | Tagged #365sketch2017, architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, Sennelier, Stillman & Birn, Super5 ink, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | Leave a comment

Lapiztola Street Art

Posted on February 27, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve always been a fan of street art, graffiti. I am not talking tagging, but actual street art. Lapiztola is one such movement, and as I am exploring Oaxaca Mexico for our Virtual Sketchwalk, I came across these images. The … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal | Tagged art, graffiti | 2 Comments

Illustration and Commission

Posted on February 25, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Today I am off to a workshop on illustrating children’s books. I’ve always been available for commission work but did not know there were groups where I could meet others. I will be meeting authors and agents and find out … Continue reading →

Posted in animation, art journal, commission, drawing, ink painting, making a living, painting, pen & ink, watercolor, writing | Tagged children's books, commission, illustration, illustrator, nature books, short stories, stories, story boards, storytelling, young adult books | 2 Comments

VSW: Max’s Car, 2

Posted on February 24, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

NOW I’m getting somewhere! From Max Vanderwyst’s car images! Again I used grisaille to shadow, the Super5 Frankfurt ink in a water-brush. I should go back and add a bit of shadow to the columns… Very fast watercolor, middle of … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged architecture, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, grisaille, Holbein, Max Vanderwyst photographer, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Primatek, Sennelier, Super5 Frankfurt ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor, White Uniball Signo | 4 Comments

VSW: Max’s Car, 1

Posted on February 23, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Max Vanderwyst offered his lovely car images and I still went first for the building image. What can I say? Old habits die hard. But I’d like to do some cars, so…. It was a lovely building to draw, and … Continue reading →

Rooster Cup

Posted on February 22, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Derived from our happy cup… As I was drinking from it, I was doodling around… barely making a sketch a day with this workload! ☾ Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, Pitt White pen, and Daniel Smith Watercolors. … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, art journal, pen & ink, watercolor | Tagged #365sketch2017, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, rooster, White Pitt pen | 2 Comments

Abstract Word Four

Posted on February 21, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

More words…. Fluid Cold Press papers, shellac, Lamy Al-Star with Diamine ink (blue), Golden acrylics. ©D. Katie Powell. My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back to dkatiepowellart. ☾ As my Patreon supporter, you will have access to some … Continue reading →

Posted in acrylic, ink painting, pen & ink, writing | Tagged #365sketch2017, Diamine Ink, Fluid paper, Golden Acrylic Paints, moon, shellac | 2 Comments

Castle Pond at Laguna

Posted on February 20, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Missing home, simpler times. Middle of the night. I was thinking about the time I ditched school and me and my boyfriend swam or walked from Main Beach in Laguna to my house in South Laguna. Laguna kids always had … Continue reading →