Category Archives: pen & ink

Bright Ideas: Parker Palmer Depression

Posted on February 8, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Parker Palmer, writer and activist, became known to me through his writings about depression.  I  find him grounding and thought-provoking.  His thoughts on the current state we find ourselves in are most comforting: “How do I stay engaged and whole … Continue reading →

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Dan’s Squirrels

Posted on February 7, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Commissions are harder because I have a happy outcome in mind. I can see the person who the piece is for and see that smiling face and… My Monkey Mind Critic kicks in… Black animals are the hardest…. black cats, … Continue reading →

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Subzero Chili with Beans

Posted on February 4, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Drawing from Jan 9…  Just posting all out of order! Ice and snow and we lived on this in the studio….  though not really subzero here! Recipe, rough, approximate, because I rarely use a recipe… 2 big onions, chopped 1 … Continue reading →

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Campbell Valance

Posted on February 2, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

The embroidered velvet drapery at the Campbell House sticks in my mind… Amazing detail, lovely graceful, beautiful patterns. I’ve taken to playing with it in ink: I am still reading Krista Tibbett’s book, Einstein’s God.” Okay, I didn’t mean to … Continue reading →

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Cat Cozies

Posted on February 1, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Gads.  I’ve been putting this off long enough. Blankets and stolen sweaters that reminded me of Jai and/or Kamala. Cried through washing them.  The clean stack made me cry more. And old throw that was bleached then I tried to … Continue reading →

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Bright Ideas: Hopeful In Bad Times

Posted on January 31, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in … Continue reading →

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VSW: Art Center, Craig Ellwood

Posted on January 30, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Sketch from an image looking back at Art Center spanning the arroyo. To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook! Moleskin A4 Watercolor Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Platinum Carbon pen in medium and fine with De Atramentis … Continue reading →

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Tools: Time to Dream

Posted on January 29, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

New Moon, a day of silence. Sundays I talk about tools, and the biggest tool is our own bodies and hearts and minds. (Why do I think this is so dang funny — oh wait — the English call people … Continue reading →

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Happy Year of the Fire Rooster!

Posted on January 28, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Okay, he’s not as fiery as some I’ve drawn but he is what he is and he is also a New Moon Rooster as he was made during my sketch blitz yesterday when I took some silence and set my … Continue reading →

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#18 on the Top Sketch Websites!

Posted on January 26, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Top 50 Sketch Websites & Blogs For Sketchers & Artists Woot!  I made #18 on the top sketch blogs for sketchers! I am not usually interested in awards but this is comparing me with some people who I think are … Continue reading →

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VSW: Green Hotel, Pasadena, California

Posted on January 25, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Sketch to ink to grisaille to underpainting (for brightness) to final watercolor!. I spent a lot of time in Pasadena and love the Green Hotel! Above, pencil sketches and a relaxed layout of the entry and one end of the … Continue reading →

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Women’s March Portland Oregon

Posted on January 24, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Along the Willamette River, estimates of 70,000 people wearing brightly colored clothing and umbrellas (not a normal sight in Oregon) in the grey rain. Moleskin A4 Watercolor Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Noodler’s Lexington Grey Ink, Super5 Frankfurt … Continue reading →

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Scarlett’s Dress

Posted on January 23, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Two different days, good anti-depression quotes. The one above is coming out of Einstein’s God by Krista Tippett, a very good book. I have no idea where the one below came from. A doll’s dress is in the studio for … Continue reading →

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Inauguration Day

Posted on January 22, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Layers of thoughts written in my journal on one line, watered with my brush to separate…. Hunter Thompson came after. ☾ Nostalgie Sketch Book Journal, with a Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Metropolitan with KWZ Ink’s Foggy Green.       … Continue reading →

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CA Trip: Mitchell Lived Here and Here and Here

Posted on January 21, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

A complicated little house not far from the Moreton Bay Fig. Not easy, lotsa mistakes…. Logic (an architectural drawing) is easier. Not my style anymore… and little fun for me! I release those days! Relying on seeing leads to charming … Continue reading →

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Rustic Happy Rooster Cup

Posted on January 19, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Like I said, rooster’s on my mind. We name some of our cups, and we have two sets of Happy Cups. Both have roosters on them, not by design but by happenstance, although maybe roosters = morning = creative time … Continue reading →

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VSW: Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade

Posted on January 18, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Pepé Le Pew was a favorite cartoon of mine… Had to be the first sketch of the New Year in the Virtual Sketchwalk group! I wanted you to see that I had water-colored his black with a dark sepia but … Continue reading →

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CA Trip: Mitchell’s Moreton Bay Fig

Posted on January 17, 2017 by D. Katie Powell

Mitchell took me to see his Moreton Bay Fig in Santa Paula.  I understand that. I have relationships with trees too, and this one is amazing. It was planted in 1879 — and yes, it is famous — and grows … Continue reading →

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