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

Twisted Cactus

16x20 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper done in early May. This one was a newly sketched cactus scene over an older magnolia painting. With this redo, I was focusing on various grasses and weeds surrounding the cactus base. I've used graphite watercolors along with Daniel Smith paints. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Curly Calf

7x9 watercolor and ink using White Nights paints along with Winsor Newton grey 0.3 fine liner pen on Canson 117 lb cp paper, completed first week of July. This cute curly haired calf was featured on another WetCanvas challenge and it was a challenge! COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Terrific Tufted Titmouse

8x8 watercolor using White Nights paints on Grumbacher 140 lb cold press paper done first week of July. The titmouse bird is one of my favorites to paint. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Lincoln County Donkey

12x9 watercolor using White Nights paints on Canson 140 lb cold press paper done July 3-5, a demo for the public who visited during the annual Lincoln County Art Loop. This is based on an earlier similar southwestern donkey scene. Sketch was done with Winsor Newton sepia 0.3 fine liner pen. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Clouds over Sheep Farm

5.5x7.5 watercolor using White Nights paints done last day of June, an imaginary farm landscape. This was painted on Fabriano 140 lb cold press paper in a handmade wc book I bought from Etsy. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

New Mexico House

14x11 acrylics on wrapped canvas done in May, based on a house seen in southeastern New Mexico, on a recent trip. The bright colors were added by me to enhance the old stucco home's charm. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Summer Saguaro

36x24 watercolor and acrylic on watercolor canvas, done last month before all the art shows started. With this simple design the elegant desert saguaro shows off its multicolored self along with its sharp pointed cactus thorns. The cactus itself is watercolor and background is acrylic over watercolor. Using an old credit card, I pulled acrylics down from the top to bottom. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Prickly Perspective

22x18.5 watercolor on 140 lb cold press Langton Prestige paper by Daler Rowney. Painted in November 2025 using Daniel Smith pigments, this unusual saguaro cactus perspective draws in the viewer. I enjoy the orange sky background for a citrus twist. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Sunflowery Seeds

16x20 watercolor and ink on 140 lb cold press paper painted back in November. This work featuring the deep inner properties of the mighty sunflower and its seeds is meant to draw the viewer in. Lots to see and explore with all the detail. Sunflowery Seeds is currently on display in Alto, NM, for the summer shows COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Prickly Parfait Cactus

22x15 acrylics on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press paper done last September, a fantasy cactus scene emphasizing the color pink and other pastel hues. A glorification of the dry arid desert flora. This painting SOLD last week during my Lincoln County Art Loop event in Alto, NM. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Distant Prairie Raincloud

4x6 watercolor on Joggles sketchbook paper done last part of June, another imaginary stormy sky landscape. These vibrant and dramatic small landscapes are fun to dream up and then put brush to paper to make them seem alive. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Singing Sparrow

8x10 watercolor and collage on Canson 117 lb cold press paper done last week of June. Sketching was done with STA Lictin 0.5 black ink pen and White Nights wc were used. Music collage is from an old hymn book and is the song Just As I Am. The sparrow is just as he is, singing despite what is going on in the world, how hot it is, or anything else. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Dark Prairie Storm

4x6 watercolor done in Joggles sketchbook of 80 lb paper, painted last week of June. Thinking of thunderstorms and praying for rain! COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Stair Cat

7x5 watercolor done over the previous weekend of a simple orange tabby cat sitting on a stair step. This is done on Strathmore printmaking paper using opaque colors. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

American Indian

6x9 watercolor on Canson 117 lb cold press paper done a few weeks ago, an imaginary abstract take on the native American and the landscape. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Giant Thunderhead

8x8 watercolor on Master's Touch 140 lb cold press paper, an imaginary landscape with ominous clouds in a square format. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Bougainvillea Donkey

15x11 watercolor and Brusho grey crystals on Grumbacher 140 lb cold press paper done last week. Previously I had posted the same donkey photographed in Central America on this blog entitled Quiet Donkey. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Happy 250th Birthday America!

9x12 watercolor still life I set up then photographed of a ripe red one on white paper plates complete with spoon, salt and pepper although we never use seasoning. All is sitting on lightweight bamboo lap tray. In the photo, I had a newspaper with July 4th ads showing underneath, but when painting decided to eliminate text and just put in dark blue lines. Maybe now it is a tablecloth! I cut this melon up and served with balsamic vinegar/blood orange sprinkled with feta cheese. Note the melon's reflections in the silver spoon. Happy 250th America!!! COPYRIGHT 2026 Kay Smith

Countertop Bell Peppers

8x5.5 watercolor and ink in old junk journal done recently as part of my host for WetCanvas weekend drawing event challenge. The colorful bell peppers were too enticing to pass up. I used Winsor Newton 0.3 sepia fine liner pen. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Horned Toad Hello

10x8 watercolor on Canson 117 lb cold press paper painted last week, a macro view of the scary looking Texas horned toad. They eat red ants, and are classified as reptiles called horned lizards. Not related to true toads. This work is SOLD. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Backyard Shed

8.5x5.5 acrylics over watercolor in mixed media sketchbook done mid month. This is my view outside my studio backyard as seen from the door and window. There's an old palette, brush, and window frame nailed to its very old wall complete with peeling paint. This was a monthly challenge on WetCanvas to paint a view outside.