Category Archives: process

Mimi’s Cactus

It is the time of the year when my grandma’s cactus blooms. The Fabriano paper was doing its weirdness; I added other colors to the mix and saved the background! “To fully inhabit grief is to hold the contradictions of … Continue reading

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CC’s Sunflower

When I was sick with this cold, I painted things that made me happy. CC had such a cheery image of one of her sunflowers! A huge sunflower with a deep brown center… To hear about classes, follow me on … Continue reading

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USk: City Market and Blue Moon Cafe

I was just getting sick the weekend of the USk worldwide walk. I managed a couple of sketches that were not painted until later — I’ve wanted to paint the marigold City Market in Autumn against fiery trees… now that … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving Cow Goddess

Two days off — this is a big deal this year as we’ve been working round the clock. As I’ve not been up to snuff (bad cold!) we didn’t do some things we might have — Like putting up twinkle … Continue reading

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Apple Pie

Apparently we found the culprits making our bodies swell and ache with arthritis. We are giving up these kinds of desserts; kinda heartbreaking. The good news is feeling better in our bodies again AND not having to do drugs AND … Continue reading

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Gratitude, Everyday Practice

I’ve journaled for ever.  It is only since picking up watercolors that my journal entries have gone beyond sketching and perhaps colored pencils into what I do now, but the discipline and connection to reflection and sustenance was embedded long … Continue reading

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Monterey Platform Rocker

I’m a lucky woman.  I am paid to work in brilliant color on pieces of California history. I love the smell of oil paint when I open the studio door. Catching the wavy base and angles in this drawing — … Continue reading

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Lake Oswego Tree

We were going to a client meeting before the leaves dropped, and the Lake Oswego trees were exceptional! I had a chance to sketch before coming back to the studio.I tried this technique unsuccessfully (not what I was going for, … Continue reading

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Quan Yin

My first entry is the lovely god/dess Quan Yin, aka Kannon, or Kwan Yin. She began life as a he, and over many years evolved into she. The goddess of compassion, akin to Avalokiteshvara / Chenrezig and the Taras. Line … Continue reading

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Inktober, 21 Galley Sunflower

We had Sunflowers whose stems were not standing up tall. I popped them into smaller vases and spread their cheer throughout the studio. One place was in front of the many-colored Fiesta-ware plates in our studio galley. Middle-of-the-night. To hear … Continue reading

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Inktober, 16 Four Sunflowers

Sunflowers make me sooo happy. They follow the sun, turning their faces upward and twisting to watch it. They are strong, never needing man-made support, a testimony to evolution. Their colors are brilliant and clear. Strength, clarity, ever hopeful, focusing … Continue reading

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Inktober, 13 DeNoble Farms

Dancing light started this watercolor on top of the inked drawing on this page of sketches. I had to add lavender for her. This little stack of pennies on the edge of a stoop I could not get out of … Continue reading

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Inktober, Dancing Light Lavender

She makes a great lip balm and essential oil. Passing her is always happy because her stall smells amazing and she is happy. I had to color her.  It was essential! To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or … Continue reading

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Inktober, 11 Student Cellist

People are not my forte, but I keep doing them. Years of doing the graphic people in architectural drawings! I’ve taken to sketching buskers in the park. This is a student out to make a buck on the weekend. To … Continue reading

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Inktober, 10 Sunflower

I thought to add watercolor but may not… I like the linework! (Though the contrast of bright yellow and cobalt blue is enticing….).  To hear about classes, follow me on Facebook or check out my new, improved dkatiepowellart.com “Memory is … Continue reading

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Inktober, 9 Red Hawthorn

I never noticed Hawthorns until we moved to Portland, though my Mom insists we grew up with them all around. Maybe the ocean was too dazzling for me to notice them. They are everywhere, and gorgeous!  Now I look for … Continue reading

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Inktober, 2 Dogwood

Dogwood always reminds me of my Grandmother, Lyle Genevieve, or Mimi, and driving through the mountains around Grass Valley area where their ranch was… Even though we see it all over Oregon it reminds me of the California mountains. I … Continue reading

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When Palms are Bad

This one is simply overworked.  It doesn’t have the feeling of air coming through the palm leaves.  I am okay with the ocean, flowers, etc. This should have been beautiful… Randy Boyd’s photo was gorgeous! I tried it again….. In … Continue reading

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