Category Archives: commentary

Roe V Wade

Maybe I’ll lose some followers… Maybe I’ll gain some followers… but I support a woman’s right to choose. To hear about classes, follow me on Instagram, Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is more indelible than ink.” … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, Booby Gurl, commentary, gods and goddesses, pastel, pencil, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Shells

I have a beautiful soft green Roseville bowl of my grandmother’s that is filled with shells. Some are found, years of beachcombing as a kid, but some are from a trip my mom and I took to the Monterey Bay … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, commentary, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

World Watercolor Month: Sweet Peas / Creative Block

I am in a creative slump. I’ve been in this stuck place for weeks and pushed myself to sketch posies — which usually works — but nothing is working.  Painting these flowers has been like slogging through mud.  I told … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, challenge, commentary, creativity, drawing, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grrr

Not happy with this company. Fought with them over their technicians stripping all the bolts during installation, 2 years ago (how would we know until we wanted to move it?). Weeks of fighting.  They tried not to deal with it. … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, commentary, drawing, furniture, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Some people….

This is about all I have to say… and… Sir Billy Connolly – Fuck Off: A Video To hear about classes, follow me on Instagram, Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is more indelible than ink.” Anita … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, commentary, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Unwinding Stuck

I am trying to work my way out of a creative block and depression.  I am so stuck. I don’t remember the last time I was stuck like this… weeks on end.  I was looking for images for something I … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, commentary, creativity, journal, meditation, painting, pen & ink, process, ritual, sketchbook, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Inky Thots: The Maker’s Palette 

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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Shift In Goals: A Post from My Patreon Page

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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