Japanese Street

8.5x11.5 mixed media on matboard finished yesterday, a street scene in Japan.  Magic colored pencils used to sketch followed by Caran D' Ache watersoluble wax crayons and acrylics as top layer.  Since I lived in Japan several months this subject matter was just perfect.  The women talking under their parasols gives this a cozy and friendly touch.
COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2019.

Mums in Oriental Vase

15x22 watercolor of golden chrysanthemums spilling out of this exquisite vase.  Red patterned cloth is draped behind with black symbols.

China Cabinet - a reworked watercolor still life

20x12.5 watercolor and gouache over a failed still life that was a floral in a red vase, a white pitcher, and onions on a white cloth and a blue and red table drape.  I did not like the floral so turned it vertically and drew cups and saucers.  Later I went back and added line to include Oriental fans, a pagoda, pink roses, etc.  Today I reworked the bottom area by adding white gouache on cup and saucer, strengthening the reds and blues, then correcting compositional areas.  My original still life that was drawn and painted from life has now been redone 3 times.  I can post the 2001 original BEFORE version if anyone wants to see it for comparison.  Other artists may disagree or dislike reworking/recycling their old dogs but I love it, plus I have now had 2 of them accepted into the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies exhibitions.  These annual shows have about 4500 artists competing for selection.