Category Archives: painting

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Garuda with Washes, Three

Posted on February 20, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

On this final (for now) Garuda, here is the story of Mitchell’s Garuda. Mitchell and I were buying statues from a Tibetan man in Nepal (long story, another time) and had never met him nor spoken with him. An anthropologist … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art journal, Buddha, gods and goddesses, graphite, journal, painting, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

USk: Nick’s Italian Cafe, McMinnville

Posted on February 15, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

McMinnville Oregon is a sleepy town with great places to eat, and a wonderful art store (Merriartist) which is staffed by people who either know the products or say they don’t, a refreshing change from overly huge chain stores that … Continue reading →

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Garuda with Washes, Second

Posted on February 13, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I am really happy with the Garuda above! I wanted him to come alive, and not be a statue on a dais as he is shown in my post from earlier this week. I began with a pencil sketch in … Continue reading →

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Garuda with Washes, The First

Posted on February 12, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I continue to work the various levels in washes, learning as I go.  I worked with one of Mitchell’s favorite statues (right) which has a lovely history, which I will tell you all about in one of these posts when … Continue reading →

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Zen Cats and Watercolor Washes

Posted on February 9, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

After my frustration at Kiva Tearoom, I decided I needed to go back and just play with washes.  Middle of the night I read suggestions from several watercolor books on washes.  I sketched the Zazen Cats, fun images I come … Continue reading →

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USk: Kiva Tearoom, NW Portland

Posted on February 8, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I braved another day of sketching with the intention to sketch people in a crowded place. There were few people in today — what? — Saturday in Portland? This post is a big deal for me because I am posting … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

USk: Drawing Around Portland

Posted on February 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I haven’t had much time to paint anything this week but found moments in the car. Being back in a city is overwhelming in terms of the cacophony of lines and layers, rhythms and patterns.   (Yes I spelled that wrong … Continue reading →

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Mimi and Pa’s Ranch

Posted on January 28, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I wish my grandfather had not sold their ranch in California. I have all good memories there of family and being a kid and critters and holidays and making things and first riding a horse and shooting a rifle and … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, history, journal, memory, painting, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

USk: Palm Motor Hotel

Posted on January 24, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Whenever I drive by the Palm Motor Hotel I get a little surge of home energy. It looks like motels I remember staying in when visiting Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. I’ve always loved these Mid-Century Modern signs. Today I … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, drawing, journal, painting, pencil, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My “Business” Sketchbook: Chippendale Conservation

Posted on January 23, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Above, Mitchell thinking about the various things he has to do to this family heirloom in order to resurrect it from the broken state. The Chippendale sofa’s arm was broken and sagging, leg broken, parts of the frame broken, and … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, furniture, journal, making a living, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

My “Business” Sketchbook: Mattress Ranch

Posted on January 22, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve had this finished a long time and almost didn’t post it. There really is a Mattress Ranch on the way to Olympia Washington. It was the source of much amusement as we drove up in the morning to work … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, drawing, furniture, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

My “Business” Sketchbook: Aesthetics Movement Pieces

Posted on January 20, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

You may remember these sketches; they started me thinking about how many beautiful objects we see daily.  I decided to dedicate one of my new Stillman & Birn sketchbooks to our business.  My first two watercolor sketches were in the … Continue reading →

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USk: Smith Tower, Vancouver, Washington

Posted on January 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I had lunch with my niece yesterday and went an hour early to find an interesting building or scene to sketch.  As I was driving into the city of Vancouver I remembered the “beer can” building, looking glum and peachy … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, history, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, timed painting, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Art Journaling: Miscellaneous Picks

Posted on January 15, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Random sketches from my journal, continuing to play with the watercolors is the point. My confidence is growing; I am dropping into my best drawing habits from my teens and twenties.  While sketching my favorite coffee cup, I realized why … Continue reading →

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Art Journal: Memories

Posted on January 9, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

A friend has laid out a great challenge to kick off 2015. When I can, I am taking her cues because she’s created a great list.  Thoughtful, they are evoking memories in most who are playing along.  A challenge shouldn’t … Continue reading →

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My Picks for the Best Books, Part One

Posted on January 6, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I’ve been asked quite a bit about my favorite how-to art books, and here is my answer.  I will divide them into beginner’s best and then those that are good no matter where you are, but you must know that … Continue reading →

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My “Business” Sketchbook: Webbing Stretchers

Posted on January 3, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

My commitment to documenting the upholstery studio is ongoing; a challenge prompted this watercolor sketch. I said no more challenges but this list is too much fun. I chose Mitchell’s webbing stretchers because they happened to be setting on his … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, challenge, drawing, furniture, journal, making a living, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments