Sunray Saguaros

14.25x7.25 watercolor on Grumbacher 140 lb cold press paper done end of May, another imaginary contemporary desert landscape featuring tall saguaro cactus. Sunrays are exaggerated as they radiate outwards towards any living thing. I especially enjoy the pink prickly pears. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Kitschy Kactus

14x11 watercolor and ink line on synthetic Yupo paper done last month, a very contemporary take on the usual cactus pods and blooms seen in desert landscapes. I used White Nights paints and a Sharpie ultra fine point marker. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Blue Bird on Tall Cactus

8.5x2.75 watercolor on Canson cold press paper done in August as part of my vertical series. This one of another cactus and a blue bird could be matted and framed or could be used as an unusual bookmark. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Cactus Floral Shapes

9x6 mixed media using mostly acrylic and colored pencil over an older watermedia made with stencils done in 2021. This redo or rework is fun after drawing cactus shapes in colored pencil over the original. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025 Original Floral Shapes is below for comparison.

Cactus Confetti

8.25x5.25 mixed media in junk journal, a book published in 1950. I first put on collaged elements of tissue paper and a ticket stub, stenciled acrylic colors, added ink marks with technical pen nib, wrote words, then added a saguaro cactus shape. Assorted colors for stripes and dots and flowers on top. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Jade Plant in Clay Pot

11x11 mixed media on Strathmore Toned Tan 184 lb paper completed today. I used leftover acrylics and black India ink applied with a wooden chopstick in this simple succulent still life set up. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith