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

IFJM 1: Sleeplessness

Posted on April 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

April Fool’s Day 2015 ver went to sleep, not really. Laid down but could not sleep and so, I stayed up. Too excited about the trip, plus I had to connect one last time with Jai and the kids before … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, writing | Tagged De Atramentis Document ink, IFJM, International Fake Journal Month, Moleskin Watercolor journal, packing, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, travel | 15 Comments

Red Cat Buddha on RedBubble

Posted on March 23, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I have Red Zazen Cat Buddha up on RedBubble! And a handsome husband who is willing to model his shirts for me! We have men’s, women’s, tanks, and hoodies — and other products as well!

Posted in making a living | Tagged buddhist, cat buddha, redbubble, zen, zen cat | 2 Comments

Ganesha

Posted on March 19, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Ganesha is calling again. Maybe it is spring, new beginning? If you want to know how far you can get by regularly practicing watercolor, take a look at my favorite small resin Ganesha in February 2014 and in July 2014! … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, gods and goddesses, graphite, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged art journal, buddha, buddhist, crescent moon, Daniel Smith watercolors, dark of the moon, Ganesha, Holbein, lunar, Pentalic 2B woodless pencil, Pentalic Nature Sketch Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, vedic, watercolor | 2 Comments

April is International Fake Journal Month

Posted on March 17, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

If Roz Stendahl has taught me anything it is that you can make up a Thing for Month and declare it and before long people will believe It Is So. April is International Fake Journal Month (IFJM, for the cool … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal | 10 Comments

USk: Glisan’s Painted Ladies

Posted on March 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I drive by these painted ladies several times a week, always thinking I should give them a go. The complicated details and the colors were a challenge for me to do loosely and not too “architectural.” I wanted them to … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, drawing, graphite, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, Glisan St, Holbein, painted ladies, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Sennelier, Strathmore journal, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, Victorian, watercolor | 7 Comments

Good Question of the Week: Desert Island Brush Choice

Posted on March 13, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Originally posted on Citizen Sketcher:
A person taking my Craftsy.com People in Motion class recently asked a classic question in a creative way. “Hi Marc. I’m enjoying your course and so great to see you demonstrating your techniques after following…

Posted in class, paint brush, watercolor | Tagged Marc Taro Holmes | 1 Comment

Review: Pentalic Field Book

Posted on March 11, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I did a quick sketch to try out my new Pentalic Field Book. 140lb. Acid Free; Cold Pressed; Exceptional wet strength; Professional grade watercolor paper. I love their pencils — my favorite — and they are an Oregon company: I … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Buddha, gods and goddesses, journal, painting, paper, pen & ink, pencil, process, review, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, buddha, buddhist, crescent moon, Daniel Smith watercolors, moon, Pentalic Field Book, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, sitting buddha, Strathmore journal, Thai Buddha, watercolor, zen | 2 Comments

USk: Montavilla Sewing Center and DEQ

Posted on March 10, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Mitchell sews on machines; I do not. I used to follow him around for a while at the sewing centers and drive him crazy behaving like a five-year-old, then go sit with the husbands waiting for their wives. Now I … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, drawing, graphite, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged De Atramentis Document ink, DEQ, Montavilla, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Oregon, sketching, Strathmore journal, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 2 Comments

USk: 17th and NW Davis

Posted on March 9, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve approached these buildings, which are part of the St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception complex, dozens of times. Needing a break from bidding I stole away to sit in the car (easier to lay watercolors out) and do … Continue reading →

Posted in art | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, NW Industrial Sanctuary Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Oregon, sketching, St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Strathmore journal, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, watercolor | 4 Comments

Turkish Tea and Art (Aydın Toprak Apaydın)

Posted on March 8, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Turkish Tea and Art (Aydın Toprak Apaydın) Love this! Yes he did all these watercolors!

Posted in art journal | Leave a comment

Green Tara, One

Posted on March 7, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

She is based on our Ganges River clay version of Green Tara. A challenge for me, she is very colorful and detailed, AND, I am still pushing for a loose wash effect. Not completely happy with her but not bad … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art journal, Buddha, color, journal, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, buddha, buddhist, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, deities, Green Apatite, Green Tara, Holbein, lapis, Pentalic 2B woodless pencil, Pilot Gold Marker, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, Tara, watercolor | 1 Comment

USk: 26th Street, WHAT IF?

Posted on March 6, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Took a walk and sketched in our studio’s neighborhood, buildings I look at all the time. I was able to sketch both of them, and it was a bit like old times, architectural sketches. They are both shades of grey: … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, creativity, journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged Alphabet District Portland, art journal, Daniel Smith watercolors, ESCO, Lexington Grey Noodlers ink, NW Industrial Sanctuary Portland, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Preppy pen, Portland Oregon, Rejuvenation, Strathmore journal, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, watercolor | 5 Comments

Thai Buddha, One

Posted on March 5, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

He is an unassuming little black resin Thai Buddha. I see him in color, looking so sweet. Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, with a Pentalic 2B woodless pencil, Platinum Preppie Pen, De Artramentis Document ink, and Daniel Smith and Holbien watercolor … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, color, drawing, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Aquabee Super Deluxe Journal, art journal, buddha, buddhist, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Holbein, Platinum Preppy pen, Primatek, watercolor | 4 Comments

Late Night: Cozy Catz and Lettering

Posted on March 4, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I am dissatisfied with my lettering. I hear my mother’s voice telling me I used to have such nice lettering! I know I never quite mastered architectural lettering, and now all of a sudden I care. Geesh. So I am … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, drawing, memory, painting, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Alpha Journal, art journal, BradleyHand, calligraphy, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Jappaneese, Luma, Pentalic 2B woodless pencil, Pentel Brush Pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Stillman & Birn, The Cowboy Font, watercolor | 4 Comments

The Audubon Society has blown my mind

Posted on February 26, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

The Audubon Society has blown my mind with high-resolution images, hundreds of them, for us to see. This is what all museums and societies should be doing, turning us on with the power of the internet through by opening their … Continue reading →

Posted in art | 6 Comments

The Cats of Richard Swarbrick

Posted on February 25, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Thank You Ruthie! Must see drawing animation, too kewl!

Posted in animation, art, creativity, drawing, watercolor | Tagged animation, cats, Richard Swarbrick | 2 Comments

Red Zazen Cat on RedBubble

Posted on February 24, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I put a few new item up on my RedBubble page — I needed a break from the bidding wars of our mainstream business! Zazen Red Cat went up to satisfy a client! Men and women’s clothing, totes, note cards, … Continue reading →