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

Fountain Pen Day! (Late)

Posted on November 12, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Happy Fountain Pen Day! (Okay it was November 6th, but this Goulet video was not out then. If it doesn’t load, click. This video is for crazy people who love pens, or want to.) The thing is, not wanting to … Continue reading →

Posted in calligraphy, drawing, india ink, pen & ink, review | Tagged De Atramentis Document ink, Goulet, Noodlers ink, Super5 ink | 6 Comments

VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 2

Posted on November 11, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo. I tried a new layout this time, trying an overlapping, more relaxed look. Not that I don’t love a grid. … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, landscape, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Angra do Heroísmo, art journal, Atlantic, bay, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Ilha Terciera, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, painting with inks, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy, Platinum Preppy pen, Portugal, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 1

Posted on November 9, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo. Such a treat — I’ve never even heard of this island! My push for myself is to continue to work … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, drawing, landscape, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged Alto da Memoria, Angra do Heroísmo, art journal, Atlantic, bay, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, landscape, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy, Platinum Preppy pen, Portugal, Super5 ink, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 5 Yellow Truck

Posted on November 8, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Is there anything cooler than an old truck? It brings back memories of my baby brother’s blue truck, of my grandparents ranch and their Grange friends, of riding in the back of my middle brother’s truck with my arms around … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, drawing, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged 1950, art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Delta journal, Ford truck, Lamy Safari pen, MPF Conservation, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy, staycation, Stillman & Birn, Super5 ink | 7 Comments

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 4 Studio is Best

Posted on November 5, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

The best coffee is made in our presspot, by Mitchell. Organic French or Italian roast, he grinds it Turkish, so fine it is like espresso. Thin sliced organic ginger (way more than you’d think) and dark brown organic sugar added … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Cat, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Delta journal, Fiesta Ware, Holbein, MPF Conservation, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen, QoR watercolors, staycation, Stillman & Birn, Super5 ink, watercolor | 6 Comments

Parkablogs

Posted on November 4, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Anyone interested in Urban sketching should also know about Parkablogs. Teoh Yi Chie reviews books, materials and occasionally has fun videos. BTW, until November 11, Parkablog has gotten a 50% off deal on several great craftsy classes — you might … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal | Tagged class, Parkablog, tools, urban sketchers, videos | 8 Comments

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 3 Industrial

Posted on November 2, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Writing, writing, writing. . . Make the book exciting, Raw-hide! Mitchell likes to make up new words to old songs! Our quest to try new places took us to the Industrial Cafe for breakfast. It was good, but not great. … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Delta journal, Holbein, Metropolitan pen, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy, QoR watercolors, staycation, Stillman & Birn, Super5 ink, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 2 Comments

Inktober, Week Four

Posted on November 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Inktober is done! I don’t know if I inked every day — my priority was writing our book — but I certainly pushed the boundaries of inking and playing with ink. Most of these drawings will be taken further into … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, journal, landscape, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged #inktober, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Black Eyed Susan, Burger Meister, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Ford truck, Haight-Ashbury, hub survival stout, Mahadurgha, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, OE sketchbook, Quan Yin, recipe, risotto, Super5 ink | 2 Comments

My Secret Journal: Seven, Graffiti

Posted on October 30, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Note: I am writing a story/journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full. These are some of the illustrated pages in the sketchbook for the story. Graffiti which used to be on a building in … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, drawing, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged art journal, birds, Daniel Smith watercolors, graffiti, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, Moleskin Watercolor journal, NW Portland, Platinum Carbon pen | Leave a comment

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 2 Work Happens

Posted on October 28, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Small business owners rarely get to really take time off. You can’t ignore a new client (or they may go elsewhere) and you can’t ignore the absolutely only time for a delivery, in our case. Crater Lake is one of … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, drawing, furniture, journal, landscape, making a living, memory, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, CCC table, Civilian Conservation Corps, Crater Lake NP, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, grisaille, Holbein, Moleskin Watercolor journal, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, object conservation, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, staycation, Super5 ink, watercolor | 4 Comments

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 1

Posted on October 24, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I love sketching in journals because I love making our memories come to life. Mitchell and I are staying in Portland for our vacation; I am told the hip thing to call it is a “staycation.” Mostly we are working … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, cards, creativity, journal, making a living, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor, writing | Tagged #inktober, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Delta journal, Lamy Safari pen, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland planning issues, staycation, Stillman & Birn, Super5 ink, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 15 Comments

Inktober, Week Three

Posted on October 22, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Of course, a lot of my drawings for Inktober were created for my virtual Haight-Ashbury walk. This week, besides finishing that walk, I also had some fun creating the following: The beginning of a post on delivering the Crater Lake … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged #inktober, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Cat, CCC table, Crater Lake NP, Govinda Jai, Haight-Ashbury, Kamala, Moleskin Watercolor journal, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, North Umpqua River, Super5 ink | 4 Comments

My Secret Journal: Six, Goat-Milk Ice Cream

Posted on October 20, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Note: I am writing a story/journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full. These are some of the illustrated pages in the sketchbook for the story. Home-made organic goat milk ice cream became a possibility … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, drawing, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, ice cream, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, QoR watercolors, Super5 ink | Leave a comment

VSW: Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco

Posted on October 18, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

The inspiration for this virtual walk came from a Preservation Leadership blog on Early San Francisco Parking Garages. I love funky old buildings, and these are anonymously designed (in some cases) and I don’t want them torn down! To see … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, challenge, commentary, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchcrawl, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged art journal, California, Haight-Ashbury, Moleskin Watercolor journal, parking garages, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, San Francisco, virtual sketching, virtual sketchwalk | 25 Comments

Tools: Water-Brushes and Pigmented Brushes

Posted on October 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I don’t use water brushes except in two places — I keep them by the side of the bed (I am an insomniac, so also have a sketch pad and travel watercolors) and when in the field. Don’t forget, these … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Booby Gurl, india ink, paint brush, painting, review, sketchbook, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged Holbein Water Brush, Kuratake's Yasutomo Niji Water Brush, Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Brush Pen No. 22, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen | 8 Comments

Inktober, Week Two

Posted on October 15, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Again, mostly I feel like I am cheating because I use ink for under-drawings all the time. Under-drawing for watercolor, our soapstone Quan Yin. I am going to ink her or watercolor her . . . stay tuned! We own … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Buddha, challenge, gods and goddesses, graphite, pen & ink, pencil, urban sketchers, virtual sketching | Tagged #inktober, Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, Black Eyed Susan, Burger Meister, Diamine Ancient Copper Ink, Haight-Ashbury, hub survival stout, Mahadurgha, Moleskin Watercolor journal, Noodlers ink, OE sketchbook, Quan Yin, recipe, risotto, Super5 ink | 13 Comments

Inktober, First week

Posted on October 8, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I feel like I am cheating with this challenge in that my drawings usually begin with ink then watercolor is applied — though sometimes more ink is applied — hell, I dunno. Feels like cheating not to do a separate … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, furniture, making a living, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, virtual sketching | Tagged #inktober, art journal, De Atramentis Document ink, Moleskin Watercolor journal, MPF Conservation, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Oregon, Super5 ink | 15 Comments

My Secret Journal: Five, NW Neighborhood

Posted on October 7, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

(Note: I am writing a journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full. I realized I can simply share some of the images without the writing; These are a few blank pages that will … Continue reading →