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

Whats on Your Workdesk? Wednesday

Posted on May 11, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I don’t know if I’ll do What’s On Your Workdesk? Wednesday as a regular thang, but here I am on humpday wanting to post about my new space and I happen upon this weekly challenge….. When not painting *sigh* I … Continue reading →

Posted in dunno, making a living, painting, tools | Tagged | 22 Comments

Video on Location: The Alvor Demo

Posted on May 11, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Originally posted on Citizen Sketcher:
This just in: During this back alley demonstration painting in Alvor, sketcher Anne-Laure Jacquart was able to get quite a good recording oft my painting in progress. https://youtu.be/fFalbIE9OTo She’s cut together a 12 minute video, showing…

Posted in art journal | Leave a comment

Palms Waves Sand Surf = Home

Posted on May 10, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Longing for home, the one I can’t go back to… It is never the same as when we were kids. An all-class reunion was this week. Part of me would love to have gone, part of me never ever wants … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, memory, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Software Geeks Who Change Things Just Because They Can

Posted on May 9, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Remember when life was much easier at WP? For instance, remember when all you had to do was click on the little chain-linky-symbol to do it all, above? You’d highlight the link phrase, then hit that chain-linky-symbol, choose your I-want-it-to-open-in-another-page, … Continue reading →

Posted in dunno, making a living | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Bright Ideas, Week 3

Posted on May 7, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

All these images are sketched in the Bright Ideas journal. I can’t stop loving this crazy colored journal! I spent time color mixing this week… fewer Bright Ideas… But I did realize what this book is all about, and it … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Buddha, creativity, drawing, gods and goddesses, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

USk: Trinity Episcopal Church’s Red Doors, Alphabet District

Posted on May 5, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of 19th and Everett, across from where the NW Outdoor Market is often held.   I rarely see it like the image right (Wiki) — trees obscure the lovely old building except when it … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Travel Palettes and Color Mixing Charts

Posted on May 4, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Prepare for a total geek posting. I’ve finally created an entire mixing chart. Who knew what I might learn! I wrote about finding a great deal on a Sennelier travel palette with pan watercolors, above.  I’ve not owned pan paints … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

I love this artist: Kathy Bradford

Posted on May 3, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Worked long time before she was “discovered” — an inspiration!

Posted in art journal | Leave a comment

USk: Vaughn St and 18th Street

Posted on May 2, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Near Lindy Ltd., Vaughn curves into 18th and there is a lovely set of older buildings. I’ve seen chickens in the street in this odd quiet part of the city. Quick studies, not that happy with outcome — trees are … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bright Ideas, Week 2

Posted on April 30, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

All these images are sketched in the Bright Ideas journal. Having such fun with these little doodle-ly sketches. I don’t know where this going; just drawing… Springtime, dandy-lions, and soon wishes! Most see them as weeds.  They are good in … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, gods and goddesses, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

USk: Pro Photo Supply, 18th and Marshall, NW Portland

Posted on April 28, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Had little time to sketchcrawl last weekend, but found a great corner near us in NW. Around the corner from the main Pro Photo shop on 19th is the new-old building, where they’ve taken a dull green-grey corner at 18th … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

VSW: Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago

Posted on April 25, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Loving this virtual walk in Chicago, I found a lovely Louis Sullivan church I’d not known about. Chicago has to be the Queen City of Architectural Monuments! Playing in virtual sketching gives me the ability to try techniques, and here … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, color, creativity, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bright Ideas, Week 1

Posted on April 24, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

All these images are sketched in the Bright Ideas journal. I am trying to sketch faster, draw more without an agenda, and also to play again with colored pencils.  I used to work with them as an architect and it … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, drawing, journal, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

USk: Out my New (Studio) Window

Posted on April 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I have more space in my studio, and a new window.  It is pouring. My urban sketch today was out my new window looking east on NW Nicolai! All the spring greens against the evergreens, a riot of green and … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, drawing, landscape, pen & ink, pencil, urban sketchers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Thursday Doors: South Doors Washington Legislative Building

Posted on April 21, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Because we are in the middle of expanding our business studio space (and yes, I get a bit bigger art space to boot) I am pulling up old images with a new twist for Thursday Doors, (Check out Norm’s amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Curating, the truth….

Posted on April 17, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

How about you like what you see? BTW, I curated a FAB-ulous show of the Monkees when I was 11.  Swoon. Hahahahaaaa…. This came up also in relation to people being the “architect” of this or that.  A legal term, … Continue reading →

Posted in art | Tagged | Leave a comment

USk: Native American Student Center PSU

Posted on April 16, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Above, a quick sketch (with Diamine Ancient Copper ink in a Lamy Al-star) of the Native American Student Center at the south end of the PSU campus, off the park.  Watercolor wash moved the inks: three colors were used: Yavapei, … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

VSW: Getty Tomb by Sullivan

Posted on April 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Thanks to a tour of Chicago + Louis Sullivan, I found the Getty Tomb in Graceland (which the name always makes me think of Elvis, of course.) I couldn’t get the Getty Tomb out of my head. Best to get … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments