Praying Poppy Bloom

12x9 watercolor on Bristol (by Fabriano) paper done last of June. When this was photographed I thought it looked as if it was praying with its head bowed down, hence the title. This poppy bloom was also a demo design for the local watercolor class to try and paint, and they did well. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Beach Drink

9x6.5 watercolor using White Nights paints on Canson 117lb cold press paper done first week of July while on an art show trip. With this imaginary beach still life I'm seeing a cool drink on the hot sands. Also wishing I could visit the coast and enjoy the surf, waves, and relax a bit. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Lily Lantern

6x6 watercolor using White Nights paints on Master's Touch 80 lb sketchbook done first week of July. Ref courtesy of Cindy in the Watercolor Studio forum of WetCanvas! online challenge. I enjoyed the yellow orange tiger lilies and day lilies growing by the garden lantern and had to omit several to focus more on the lantern. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Saguaro Sun Flowers

22x15 watercolor redo of an earlier painting entitled Odessa Sunflowers. With this endeavor, I've placed cactus line drawings on tracing paper over the image then drew those lines painting in and around the new shapes. This one was done on 140 lb Kilimanjaro cold press paper back in May. Original piece was a demo done for the Odessa Art Association in April 2015. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

July Downpour

6x6 watercolor done first week of July while on an art show trip. It is imaginary and is on Master's Touch 80 lb sketchbook paper. This one was a quick demo for students and White Nights paints were used. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

July Coneflower Petals

8x6 watercolor done first of the month over light pencil sketch of earlier florals I have done in different colors. This small floral was a quick demo for new students in Alto, NM. Paper is 140 lb cold press handmade rough and method was direct wet on dry application. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Hot July Horned Toad

8x10 watercolor on Canson 117 lb cold press paper done first week of July while out of town with the New Mexico Art Loop. I used White Nights paints wet on dry with this little spiky fellow. These are flat bodied reptiles, not toads, known for the crown of horns on their heads which are actually modified scales. In Texas it is illegal to capture or possess them. They do live in my studio flowerbeds as there are plenty of red ants for food. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026