Category Archives: urban sketchers

More Trains: Portland Union Station and more

Posted on May 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Part two of the response to a friend’s request to post for National Train Day! Part one here! (Go visit him here if you love trains and that will lead you to others who are posting, and the logo also … Continue reading →

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Bright Ideas, Week 5: Gratitude in Gifting

Posted on May 21, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

A tough week; on top of our Kamala being sick, the astrological forces (Mars retrograde or whatever is going on) have conspired to make some of the people in my life complete arseholes. Fortunately, none are very close to me. … Continue reading →

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USk: Art Gallery Door, Alphabet District

Posted on May 19, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

There is this amazing rusty metal door going into the art gallery on Raleigh. It is a wild thing, all twisted and colorful and rough and organic. I did my best; but gads, what a door. It pops out of … Continue reading →

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National Train Day: Portland Union Station

Posted on May 14, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

This is in response to a friend’s request to post for National Train Day! (Go visit him here if you love trains and that will lead you to others who are posting, and the logo also was stolen from him….) … Continue reading →

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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 →

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USk: Trinity Episcopal Church’s Red Doors, Alphabet District

Posted on May 5, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Trinity Episcopal Church, at the corner of 19th and Everett, across from where the NW Outdoor Market is often held.   I rarely see it like the image right (Wiki) — trees obscure the lovely old building except when it … Continue reading →

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USk: Vaughn St and 18th Street

Posted on May 2, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Near Lindy Ltd., Vaughn curves into 18th and there is a lovely set of older buildings. I’ve seen chickens in the street in this odd quiet part of the city. Quick studies, not that happy with outcome — trees are … Continue reading →

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USk: Pro Photo Supply, 18th and Marshall, NW Portland

Posted on April 28, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Had little time to sketchcrawl last weekend, but found a great corner near us in NW. Around the corner from the main Pro Photo shop on 19th is the new-old building, where they’ve taken a dull green-grey corner at 18th … Continue reading →

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USk: Out my New (Studio) Window

Posted on April 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I have more space in my studio, and a new window.  It is pouring. My urban sketch today was out my new window looking east on NW Nicolai! All the spring greens against the evergreens, a riot of green and … Continue reading →

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Thursday Doors: South Doors Washington Legislative Building

Posted on April 21, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Because we are in the middle of expanding our business studio space (and yes, I get a bit bigger art space to boot) I am pulling up old images with a new twist for Thursday Doors, (Check out Norm’s amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, art journal, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

USk: Native American Student Center PSU

Posted on April 16, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Above, a quick sketch (with Diamine Ancient Copper ink in a Lamy Al-star) of the Native American Student Center at the south end of the PSU campus, off the park.  Watercolor wash moved the inks: three colors were used: Yavapei, … Continue reading →

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Doc Youping Qin

Posted on February 29, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Dr. Youping Qin is my acupuncturist.  My images here are part of a larger set, depicting the history of acupuncture and Chinese immigrants to Oregon.  (This post is about the painting, not the story!) Doc Qin has been a Portland … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, calligraphy, creativity, drawing, making a living, painting, pen & ink, pencil, portrait, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

World-wide Sketchcrawl in the Studio

Posted on January 24, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Watched a journal making class, then made journals today unlike what I saw — hearkening back to may leather-bag-making days, needles and knots. Thought, as I do, about the full moon energy, and where I was going. Played with colored … Continue reading →

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Reflecting on an Anniversary: Watercolor Sketching

Posted on December 28, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Two years ago I started moving away from large acrylics on canvas (above left) or small acrylics on my hand-made paper (above right). I wanted to paint again, in a smaller space, and so, thought to try watercolors and shellac … Continue reading →

Posted in art, art journal, Booby Gurl, Buddha, creativity, gods and goddesses, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged | 11 Comments

My Secret Journal: Seven, Graffiti

Posted on October 30, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Note:  I am writing a story/journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full.  These are some of the illustrated pages in the sketchbook for the story. Graffiti which used to be on a building in … Continue reading →

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Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 1

Posted on October 24, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I love sketching in journals because I love making our memories come to life. Mitchell and I are staying in Portland for our vacation; I am told the hip thing to call it is a “staycation.” Mostly we are working … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, cards, creativity, journal, making a living, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Inktober, Week Two

Posted on October 15, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Again, mostly I feel like I am cheating because I use ink for under-drawings all the time. Under-drawing for watercolor, our soapstone Quan Yin. I am going to ink her or watercolor her . . .  stay tuned! We own … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Buddha, challenge, gods and goddesses, graphite, pen & ink, pencil, urban sketchers, virtual sketching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments