Tag Archives: Stillman & Birn

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 4 Studio is Best

Posted on November 5, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

The best coffee is made in our presspot, by Mitchell. Organic French or Italian roast, he grinds it Turkish, so fine it is like espresso. Thin sliced organic ginger (way more than you’d think) and dark brown organic sugar added … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, creativity, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 3 Industrial

Posted on November 2, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Writing, writing, writing. . .  Make the book exciting, Raw-hide! Mitchell likes to make up new words to old songs! Our quest to try new places took us to the Industrial Cafe for breakfast. It was good, but not great.  … 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

USk: Frank Ching, Gail Wong Workshop

Posted on October 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I had the opportunity to meet the man who taught me more than most professors in college, and influenced my drawing style as a free-hand sketcher of the built environment: Frank Ching.  Architecture: Form Space and Order made sense out … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art journal, class, drawing, journal, memory, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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

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 →

Posted in art, art journal, Buddha, color, creativity, gods and goddesses, graphite, journal, painting, pen & ink, pencil, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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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Art Journal: Black and White

Posted on January 17, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Middle of the night, can’t sleep, found shells on the dresser. Drawn in an Stillman & Birn Alpha journal with Noodler’s Heart of Darkness ink.          I agree to Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which you can learn more … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in art, art journal, challenge, drawing, journal, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

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 “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

Holiday Images

Posted on December 25, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

A challenge, accepted.  I had fun doing several trees and ornaments! Messy Messy Merry Merry! And a day of painting in our pajamas, eating sinful treats, and curling up for naps. My kinda holiday! May yours be peaceful and bright! … Continue reading →

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Chinese Silk Bag and HOBO Bag

Posted on December 20, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

This is an exercise in gesture versus guidelines, and in permanence (in the form of lasting details and materials) versus impermanence (fast, light materials.) I have two bags I reach for besides my painting bag.  One is this lovely silk … Continue reading →

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My Business Sketchbook: Our Holiday Card

Posted on December 18, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

It was fun to create a holiday card this year, the end of my first year of watercolors! I had good models in a late 19th century chair from a set that will be conserved next year, and our cats, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, cards, drawing, furniture, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

My “Business” Sketchbook: Washington State Justice Building

Posted on December 15, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

My last sketch onsite from earlier in the year, with watercolors added Sunday. It was pouring, our work at the Capitol completed, and we were on our way home. Mitchell wanted to explore the Justice Building. The Library was lovely … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, drawing, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monastery of the Precious Blood Portland Oregon

Posted on December 14, 2014 by D. Katie Powell

Drawn on site in Mount Tabor, this is such a pretty building. Reminds me of Southern California, home home home . . . Had almost no time! Drawn in an Stillman & Birn Alpha journal on site with Caran D’ache … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, drawing, painting, pen & ink, pencil, sketchbook, timed painting, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments