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

VSW: Shanghai Temple

When sitting waiting, I also take a couple images from our Virtual Sketchwalk group along in case the view is boring… This one from our Shanghai walk! What is one the facing page? My quick recipe i wrote in the … Continue reading

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Cat Fort

We build cat forts for the cats to play in… Elaborate or simple play area that sometimes use their travel carriers, which makes them love their carriers too. Long packing paper is woven through the carriers, and they love the … Continue reading

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30 Posies: Sunflowers with Barn

While I have been participating in Direct Watercolor, secretly… I have been drawing sunflowers… I have been inking sunflowers… This one and more… I love them, my very favorite flower! Of course, they are not just inked, but watercolors in … Continue reading

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30X30 Direct Watercolor, Week 4, The End

The month of June is when many watercolorists around the world participate in the 30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge, created by Marc Homes and Uma Kelker. Rules are simple:  Each day post one watercolor, but no sketching, no inking, no pencil, … Continue reading

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Grey Sweater

Ink-painting a current project, enlivening my old grey cotton cardigan with some bright floral  embroidery. I started by mending a rip and then got carried away!  The embroidery goes all around the neck of the sweater, small flowers. I LOVE … Continue reading

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30X30 Direct Watercolor, Week 3

The month of June is when many watercolorists around the world participate in the 30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge, created by Marc Homes and Uma Kelker. Rules are simple:  Each day post one watercolor, but no sketching, no inking, no pencil, … Continue reading

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30 Posies: Flowering Quince

I discovered Flowering Quince when I moved to the Pacific Northwest, now it is a favorite flower/bush.  Below, stages as I worked it toward the finished product. ☾ To hear about classes, follow me on Instagram, Facebook or check out … Continue reading

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USk: BOOM!

We weren’t at work long when we heard and felt a boom or crack, that is as close to the experience I imagine a bomb going off feels like.  It nearly knocked me off my feet. The cats shot out … Continue reading

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VSW: Porto Gate

Detail of a gate in Porto Portugal, which was so so charming I hung onto it until I could sketch it. To hear about classes, follow me on Instagram, Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is more … Continue reading

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Tools: Sparkling Paints

I bought these handmade paints by KJ Design by Karen from Etsy. This is not a glowing review of the seller, tho’ the paints are okay. Unboxing, the paints were not wrapped individually; bits of colors had transferred onto other … Continue reading

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30X30 Direct Watercolor, Week 2

June is when many watercolorists participate in the “30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge”, created by Marc Homes and Uma Kelker.  Rules are simple:  Each day post one watercolor, but no sketching, no inking, no pencil, just straight watercolor. I’m giving it … Continue reading

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Tools: Gouache

I’ve not given gouache a real chance to woo me, so I decided to play with some very old gouache before I purchased better quality tubes.  When I moved into watercolors, I enjoyed them for their transparent washes, so gouache, … Continue reading

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Keeping an Art Journal

I’ve kept a journal with sketches since college… I started using lined journals I bought in Chinatown in San Francisco, above, for architectural notes, and every page has drawings made during lectures or tours or just thought about what I … Continue reading

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30X30 Direct Watercolor, Week 1

The month of June is when many watercolorists around the world particpate in the 30×30 Direct Watercolor Challenge, created by Marc Homes and Uma Kelker. Rules are simple: Each day post one watercolor, but no sketching, no inking, no pencil, … Continue reading

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Patrick’s Cane

Today is the 10th anniversary of his death. I am winding through memories of my family these days.  I miss my brother Patick.  He was the best brother.  I had all his important belongings, though I gave some to his … Continue reading

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1950 Ford F-1

Love me an old truck! Platinum carbon ink with diluted waterproof grey ink as shadows. Watercolor to finish. ☾ To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is more indelible than ink.” … Continue reading

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VSW: Porto Blue Tiled Cat

How can I NOT paint a building that has a GIANT BLUE TILED CAT on the wall of the  alley? Lotta lotta sketching then paint! Middle of the night images of Porto, from Virtual Sketchwalk on FB. And my quickie … Continue reading

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A Moment of Silence

. My puter is in the puter hospital for many days so no posts, sadly… and let’s hope not too many $$$! ☾ To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is … Continue reading

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