Category Archives: commentary

WATWB: Roy DeLeon

Posted on March 31, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

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 #WATWB, blogfest, compassion, In Darkness Be Light, open heart, Roy DeLeon, tonglen, We are the World | 29 Comments

Announcing We Are The World Blogfest!

Posted on March 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

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 #WATWB, blogfest, In Darkness Be Light, We are the World | 27 Comments

#J20 Strike

Posted on January 20, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

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 #J20, art, protest | 2 Comments

Motherwell, Must Read

Posted on November 15, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

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 Barbara Flug Colin, Motherwell | 2 Comments

USk: Painted Girls, Alphabet District

Posted on May 12, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

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 #thursdaydoors, Alphabet District Portland, Daniel Smith watercolors, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, NW Portland, painted ladies, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Urban Sketchers, Primatek, red doors, Strathmore journal, Thurman St, Urban Sketchcrawl, urban sketcher, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk | 22 Comments

NW Portland Industrial Sanctuary

Posted on February 18, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

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 architecture, Centennial Exposition, Daniel Smith watercolors, De Atramentis Document ink, Guild's Lake, history, Lewis & Clark, NW Portland, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pentalic Nature Sketch Journal, Platinum Carbon pen, Portland Oregon, Portland planning issues, preservation, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Super5 ink, urban sketcher, urban sketchers, Urban Sketchers Portland, USk, virtual sketchwalk, watercolor | 16 Comments

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

Publishing the Darker Artwork

Posted on June 22, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

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 →