Author Archives: D. Katie Powell

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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

New Moon: Sharing Macauley

Posted on January 27, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Quiet today, new moon dreaming. A feast for your mind, architectural drawing.

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#18 on the Top Sketch Websites!

Posted on January 26, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Top 50 Sketch Websites & Blogs For Sketchers & Artists Woot!  I made #18 on the top sketch blogs for sketchers! I am not usually interested in awards but this is comparing me with some people who I think are … Continue reading →

Posted in class, creativity, drawing, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

VSW: Green Hotel, Pasadena, California

Posted on January 25, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Sketch to ink to grisaille to underpainting (for brightness) to final watercolor!. I spent a lot of time in Pasadena and love the Green Hotel! Above, pencil sketches and a relaxed layout of the entry and one end of the … Continue reading →

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Women’s March Portland Oregon

Posted on January 24, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Along the Willamette River, estimates of 70,000 people wearing brightly colored clothing and umbrellas (not a normal sight in Oregon) in the grey rain. Moleskin A4 Watercolor Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink, Super5 Frankfurt … Continue reading →

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Scarlett’s Dress

Posted on January 23, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Two different days, good anti-depression quotes. The one above is coming out of Einstein’s God by Krista Tippett, a very good book. I have no idea where the one below came from. A doll’s dress is in the studio for … Continue reading →

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Inauguration Day

Posted on January 22, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Layers of thoughts written in my journal on one line, watered with my brush to separate…. Hunter Thompson came after. ☾ Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Metropolitan with KWZ Ink’s Foggy Green.       … Continue reading →

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CA Trip: Mitchell Lived Here and Here and Here

Posted on January 21, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

A complicated little house not far from the Moreton Bay Fig. Not easy, lotsa mistakes…. Logic (an architectural drawing) is easier. Not my style anymore… and little fun for me! I release those days! Relying on seeing leads to charming … Continue reading →

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#J20 Strike

Posted on January 20, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Joining with other artists Friday 20 January 2017 (and every day until we succeed) stating that I will stand with the People of Color, LBGT, Women everywhere, and for the 99%. I encourage and will pay for factual journalism. I … Continue reading →

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Rustic Happy Rooster Cup

Posted on January 19, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Like I said, rooster’s on my mind. We name some of our cups, and we have two sets of Happy Cups. Both have roosters on them, not by design but by happenstance, although maybe roosters = morning = creative time … Continue reading →

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VSW: Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade

Posted on January 18, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Pepé Le Pew was a favorite cartoon of mine… Had to be the first sketch of the New Year in the Virtual Sketchwalk group! I wanted you to see that I had water-colored his black with a dark sepia but … Continue reading →

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CA Trip: Mitchell’s Moreton Bay Fig

Posted on January 17, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Mitchell took me to see his Moreton Bay Fig in Santa Paula.  I understand that. I have relationships with trees too, and this one is amazing. It was planted in 1879 — and yes, it is famous — and grows … Continue reading →

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CA Trip: The Chili Hut

Posted on January 16, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Mitchell’s mom ran the Chili Hut in Santa Paula… When I sketched the building where it was I put a  couple of women in dresses as they might have been then and used a 50’s style car (made up of … Continue reading →

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Bright Ideas, Silver Roses

Posted on January 15, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Going back to my Bright Ideas journal for the 365 drawings a day. I love my Platinum Carbon pen but really, the ink is so reflective that it shines in scans and in photos… I don’t like THAT! That is … Continue reading →

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Chinese New Year

Posted on January 14, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Chinese New Year is the 28th, the year of the Fire Rooster. Rooster’s have been on my mind… Colored Verithin pencils, red and blue (not like me to pick THAT), then Loose ink lines with a wet watery brush to … Continue reading →

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Kamala Reflections

Posted on January 13, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

My grief when Jai died was overwhelming. I did not write much or draw him after — I have several starts, unfinished. Maybe I am just ready now to deal with the onslaught of grief that has been happening in … Continue reading →

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T. P.

Posted on January 12, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

At the New Year we also had a strange experience with toilet paper. Every time I sat I thought about Pema Chodron, and her commentary about staying present and having beginner’s mind with each item — as in, when I … Continue reading →

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The Tele Altar

Posted on January 11, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Across the divide… Cheer!  Happy! Our improvised tele altar after the New Year. Drawing #6 I am losing my mind. I drew this on 7 January, and signed it 7/12/2016… crazy. ☾ Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, Pilot Metropolitan with KWZ … Continue reading →

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Ruby Hotel, Spokane, WA

Posted on January 10, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Business trip to Spokane Washington and my overriding memory will be cold to the bones and good people and good food.  WHIRLWIND, long days. I was so frozen we climbed into our not-very-good bed upon walking in the door and … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, furniture, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments