Category Archives: commentary

Inky Thots: The Maker’s Palette 

Posted on April 11, 2021 by dkatiepowellart

I have a lot of inks… way too many to use in my lifetime even with painting. But, really, why have a boring crayola 8-pack when you can have the 64-pack with every color imaginable? I’ve also found the makers … Continue reading →

Posted in color, commentary, creativity, drawing, ink painting, painting, pen & ink, review, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shift In Goals: A Post from My Patreon Page

Posted on September 7, 2019 by dkatiepowellart

Goals are shifting for me, and instead of rewriting what I posted succinctly to my Patreons, I am sharing it with you, my blog followers.  I am a Patreon to several artists, and have my own Patreons, a modern way … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, commentary, commission, creativity, ink painting, landscape, making a living, process, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Healing Journal, Again

Posted on June 24, 2018 by dkatiepowellart

I’ve decided to post this again. All of it.  Somewhere back in 2015 there is a fragment of it that begins, “Note:  The Healing Journal in its entirety has been mostly removed with just a few images left.”  At that … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, commentary, ritual, writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Commercial Break

Posted on March 24, 2018 by dkatiepowellart

I had to share… Dan Antion wrote about commercials and damn I watched these and cried… uplifting.  After the last couple weeks I needed a good laugh and cry for schmaltzy sentimental reasons… Puppies and love and a horse that … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary | 6 Comments

Fire

Posted on September 6, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

It is a pitiful drawing, altogether too cheery, but it was the middle-of-the-night and I had only my watercolor-filled pens. I was horrified about what I’d read in the Oregonian. *yeah i know i should not be reading puter in … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, commentary, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

In place of Tools: Black and White

Posted on August 13, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

No post on tools today, but two cool interviews to share: Robert Gamblin and others from Gamblin paints interviewed by Savvy Painter And a very interesting read (or I thought so) by Robert Gamblin on Getting the Right White. And … Continue reading →

Posted in color, commentary | 2 Comments

#WATWB: the Afghan Women’s Writing Project

Posted on April 28, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

For National Poetry Month, I decided to give a call out to this enlightening post for We Are The World blogfest! Hurry: A poem from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project We have such a short time to do this good … Continue reading →

Posted in challenge, commentary, journal, meditation, memory, writing | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

WATWB: Roy DeLeon

Posted on March 31, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

Roy DeLeon‘s stories are simple and mesmerizing, like a zen poem. Simple truth, compassion, reflection. His sketches are delightful. They bring a smile to my face, even when they are dealing with sorrow, because there is a message of compassion. … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, commentary, journal, meditation, memory, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Announcing We Are The World Blogfest!

Posted on March 8, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

Will you speak for peace?  Social media and news in recent times has been filled with hate and negativity. Just as you cannot fight darkness, only light lamps, hate and negativity cannot be fought. We will bring love and happiness … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, commentary, journal, meditation, memory, writing | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

#J20 Strike

Posted on January 20, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

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 →

Posted in commentary, tools, writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Motherwell, Must Read

Posted on November 15, 2016 by dkatiepowellart

Two years ago, for the first time, I steeped myself in learning technique as a shortcut
with watercolor. My editor soon became in charge of my paintbrush.

When I first wanted to paint, over breakfast at the West Beach Cafe I asked
Billy Al Bengston whether I should go back to school for a MFA. He said, “Do you want to paint or teach?” and advised me to take the money I’d spend on college and take the
time off and buy cheap paint and canvas and go to it. I took his advice at 29.

Now at 60 it is time to unlearn and go back to my own screwy sense of whatever I want to play with and not think about being technically correct. It took me two years to undo what technical drawing did to me as a artist. Let’s hope this time I remember the path. Continue reading →

Posted in art, commentary, creativity, meditation, memory, process | Tagged , | 2 Comments

USk: Painted Girls, Alphabet District

Posted on May 12, 2016 by dkatiepowellart

We see these sweet homes on the way to our vets, and on walks. They are no where near special enough to be saved when the bulldozers come, which they will because way laid back Portlandiars won’t fight to save … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, color, commentary, creativity, drawing, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

NW Portland Industrial Sanctuary

Posted on February 18, 2016 by dkatiepowellart

Our studio sits in the NW Industrial Sanctuary.  When most think of a sanctuary they think of preserving bird and wildlife habitats, but there are other kinds of sanctuaries. Once this was a gorgeous waterway and lake , used for … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, commentary, history, making a living, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

VSW: Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco

Posted on October 18, 2015 by dkatiepowellart

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 , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Publishing the Darker Artwork

Posted on June 22, 2015 by dkatiepowellart

This post is a dialogue with other artists, and two other bloggers.  Many people do not think of art as a dialogue and commentary.  I hope they will not mind me co-opting a few lines from their blogs; I encourage … Continue reading →

Posted in art, commentary, creativity, meditation, memory | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments