Saguaro Spirit

22x15 watercolor on Saunders Waterford 140 lb cold press paper and Daniel Smith paints done end of April. Notified yesterday from Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS) in Dallas that my redo of Shasta Daisies has won an award! I drew various cactus shapes over the original daisies then developed the composition. Juror at the SWS 63rd exhibition currently showing is Stephen Zhang. Thank you, Stephen, and SWS! COPYRIGHT Kay Smith

Hot August Sunflower

10x8 watercolor and inks on Fabriano Bristol 100 lb paper done last week. Using one of my older sunflower photos that's been painted many times, this was an exercise in line with emphasis on that rather than color as much. Focus is on its leaves, stems, and branching out parts in an abstract way. Inks used were black Tombow brush pen, Micron 05, and black Winsor Newton 0.3 fine liner pen. COPYRIHT Kay Smith 2026

Sandstorm Sky

6x4 watercolor and Brusho crystals in Joggles sketchbook, 80 lb paper, done last week using leftover Brusho to make a dramatic imaginary sky with sandstorm approaching. This is an all too familiar sight here in west Texas. I've used Daniel Smith paints. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

A Burrowing Owl

10x8 watercolor on Aquabee 140 lb cold press paper done last week from online WetCanvas weekend drawing event. In this owl with landscape, I've shown the very small owl in his own backyard. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

The Cat Knows

9x7 watercolor in sketchbook (Master's Touch) done last week of a close up tuxedo cat face. After distorting my photo the focus became on his eye, nose, and side of his face. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Open Hollyhock

12x9 watercolor using Daniel Smith paints on Aquabee 140 lb cold press paper done week before last as a follow piece to the ink hollyhock/Tombow brush pen one. Using my dark pink hollyhock photo this floral bloom is much more loose than a previous version, focusing only on three values. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Open Hollyhock in Ink

12x9 ink using black Tombow brushn pen on Fabriano Bristol 100 lb paper done week before last as a quick floral exercise to show darkest darks, then midtones, then white of the paper. This is in preparation to painting the hollyhock in color with less detail. After putting in blacks with brush pen tip simply add water using #1 rigger brush to pull from blacks to make greys. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Kute Kitschy Kactus

14x11 watercolor using Micron 05 pen on Yupo (synthetic paper) recently done as a commission. This somewhat abstracted cactus plant goes in all directions. This work has been SOLD. Similar to another kitschy one, I've tried to show a fun side of this spiky plant. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Blue Cactus Pot

9x6 watercolor and ink on Canson 117 lb cold press done first week of this month. I've used White Nights paints and Winsor Newton grey 0.3 fine liner pen to sketch. These old cracked pots make excellent plant holders and give artists a chance to explore all their nooks and crannies. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Old Prairie Church

8x6 watercolor on handmade rough 140 lb cold press paper done first week of this month. I've used a 0.3 sepia fine liner pen by Winsor Newton to sketch or draw this abandoned church building then White Nights paints. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

High Clouds over Prairie

12x6 watercolor done in June on Strathmore 140 lb cold press paper using Daniel Smith paints. In this imaginary prairie landscape the clouds are darkening and moving in with some thunder involved. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Lovely Llama

8.5x5.5 watercolor using White Nights paints done first week of this month; ref courtesy of WetCanvas Animal/Wildlife challenge. The llama is painted on Master's Touch sketchbook page 80 lb. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Morning Coffee Break

9x6.5 watercolor using White Nights paints done first week of August while on a trip. This is painted on Canson 117 lb cold press paper and ref is from WetCanvas challenge. Morning coffee breaks were and are the best of times. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Frangipanis Donkey

15x11 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper done in May, another one of my works sketched on top of an existing painting. This donkey was easy to imagine with these plumeria blooms behind and within him. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Nature's Sunflower

7x5 mixed media on book text page done first of the month while away on art show. I've used an old novel about the secret service and the White House, sketching with Winsor Newton grey 0.3 fine liner pen. It is painted with White Nights watercolors, acrylics, and white gel pen. Look closely at the sunflower center and see it is a tiny White House. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Ramshackle Barn

9x5 watercolor on Canson 117 lb cold press done first week of this month while getting ready for our annual Alto Artist Tour show. With this imaginary barn in the countryside I've tried to show its aging structure with the onset of winter. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Summer Pie

6x6.5 watercolor on Canson 117 lb cold press paper using White Nights paints done first of August while out of town for the next Art Loop in Alto, NM. I ran across a recipe for this yummy summer pie so decided to paint it, too. Looks cool and refreshing. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Purple Poppy Cup

8.5x5.5 watercolor using White Nights paints on sketchbook page done first of this month. I combined several of my poppy photos and placed them as if growing into an imaginary purple pink coffee cup or tea cup. Master's Touch 80 lb paper is the support used in this cheerful floral still life. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Dock Reflections

9x7 watercolor done last of July in Master's Touch sketchbook 80 lb paper. I've used Daniel Smith paints in this quiet dock on the water scene. Looks like summer may be winding down. This ref was one of the landscapes/marine scapes used for the current challenge on WetCanvas. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Fading Desert Day

6x4.75 watercolor and gel pen on Canson 117 lb. cold press paper done last month. In this imaginary desert landscape, I've tried to show the day's sky as it winds down for the night over the barren dry land. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Kitten Cuteness

. 11.25x5 watercolor and ink on Canson 117 lb cold press paper done end of July from one of many cat photos. This one was just too cute to pass up so I have placed the kitten in a vertical format. Ink line was used to sketch then pigment followed. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Iced Coffee

9x7 watercolor in Masters Touch sketchbook done last day of July, a cool drink on a hot day still life subject. With this welcoming drink treat forget about the caffeine and enjoy the flavor and ice cubes. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Surrounding Storm

12x9 watercolor landscape done on Canson 140 lb cold press paper the latter part of July. With this imaginary storm approaching with its angry sky one can hope to make it home on time. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

High Steps Villa

9x7 watercolor of an imaginary villa somewhere in Europe or Mexico. This is in my sketchbook 80 lb paper. These high steps lead to a doorway one can only think of what is going on inside a southwest style abode. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Hoot Owl

20x14 watercolor and Brusho wc crystals on Daler Rowney Prestige 140 lb cold press paper done last of July. With this great horned owl, commonly called a hoot owl, I've shown its magnificence in the wildlife world. It is enjoyable to paint wildlife in monochromatic tones and colors. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Fox Nap

9x12 markers and ink line on Master's Touch marker paper done last part of July with online challenge. With the WetCanvas challenge, participants are encouraged to use the prompts and photos provided, so I chose this sleeping fox. I used a Micron 01 pen to sketch. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Blooming Garden Chair

8x6 watercolor on handmade rough 140 lb cold press paper done mid July, an imaginary rusty garden chair holding blooms in the sunshine. Garden scenes are such fun to paint. Keep your plants watered and healthy in this triple digit heat. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Mexican Violetear Hummer

4x6 watercolor using White Nights paints on Canson 117 lb cold press paper done in mid July. As part of an art challenge on WetCanvas, the host provided this hummingbird image that was just a perfect miniature for hot summer days. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Hollyhock Haven

12x9 watercolor on Aquabee 140 lb cold press paper, done mid July as a guide for wc students to practice. Using my photo from prior studio hollyhocks, this one had a bee in it so was perfect. My version came out more orange red than the photo which showed more pink tones. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Rodeo Queen

20x16 acrylics on paper done mid July, another in my cowgirl series that are always fun to paint. Remembering the times participating in rodeo parades, winning belt buckles, etc. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Crow Confessions

11.5x8.5 mixed media on manila folder paper using acrylic, watercolor, markers, paper collage, India ink, white Posca pen done mid July, another in my ongoing crow series. More bird art collage is always welcome. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026