Mission Tower

12.5x10.5 watercolor and black India ink on 300 lb cold press Saunders paper; an imaginary southwestern architecture scene. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Stone Mission Bell Tower

6x8 watercolor on Fluid 100 hot press 140 lb paper done last week, another in my mission bell tower paintings. COPYRIGHT 2024 Kay Smith

Mission Stormy Sky

7x5 watercolor on Fabriano 140 lb cold press paper done week before last, a miniature version of an imaginary mission, bell tower, and stormy sky. I've painted this scene two other times at half sheet size 22x15 and sold both of those. This one is a warm up to do it larger size. COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

Mission Soleil

22x15 gouache over ink sketched outline of an imaginary mission on 140 lb hot press paper. This was done over an horizontal abstraction painting that just was not working and is the second time to paint this mission bell tower. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith

Bells of San Xavier

15x11 watercolor on 140 lb Canson cold press paper done day before yesterday from one of my San Xavier del Bac mission photos located in Tucson, AZ.  Years ago these three bells were painted but in a horizontal format.  Only three colors used for a limited palette of quinacridone gold, ultramarine blue, and alizarin crimson.
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kay Smith

Tucson Adobe

15x15 watercolor of an old adobe church house finished yesterday, shot on one of many trips to Tucson, Arizona.  From the grey brown hills behind the it, to the cactus, red yucca, and other vegetation this southwest desert scene is sure to enchant you.  Its wooden cross with a bell beside it to keep it company rounds out the composition while dark clouds move across the sky.  I particularly enjoy its decorated doorway and vigas.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

San Xavier mission

22x15 watercolor done some years ago of San Xavier del Bac, a mission located south of Tucson.  We visited this historic Catholic compound on one of our trips to Arizona.  The rose garden was not in my photo but added it for some color interest.  My favorite part is the scrolled wrought iron gate and the sunlight hitting its bell tower.  This work is SOLD.
Image is COPYRIGHT Kay Smith.

Desert Icons: Mission and Cactus

30x22 watercolor on 140 lb rough cold press paper, an imaginary desert scene of a mission front and saguaro beside it.  Years ago I first painted this with some variation and this time used rough paper for texture on the old stucco facade.  It is not photorealism but one I enjoyed painting again in a southwest style.