Southwestern Afternoon

22x15 watercolor on Langton Prestige 140 lb cold press paper by Daler Rowney done mid-January, a still life I set up years ago. That first version was on a full sheet 30x22 and sold at its first show in west Texas. It has always been a favorite. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Joyful Peppers

9x12 watercolor and black ink on Canson 140 lb cold press paper I painted on Wednesday at our paint in, just from a simple sketch done years ago. White Nights paints were used. COPYRIGHT 2022 Kay Smith

Some Like it Hot! still life

15x11 watercolor still life of table top vegetables work in progress is now completed.  Today shadows were added using cobalt violet, cerulean blue, quinacridone magenta, permanent rose, yellow ochre, olive green, sap green, quinacridone red in an attempt to tie all elements together.  I darkened most of the colander holes and added stems that were waiting until the end.  This was a fun and colorful one to do, now on to the next endeavor.  I hope you like it!

WIP - step 3 Some Like it Hot still life

More work was done later in the details such as tiny colander holes that have 3 different colors, some shading, glazing inside the container and emphasizing highlights.  Most pepper stems are done, but I did omit those that will have shadow under or across for ease of painting.

WIP - Some Like it Hot (still life)

15x11 watercolor on Arches 140 lb cold press paper work in progress begun yesterday with detailed drawing using fresh jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions of all varieties.  It was painted wet in wet today, and this is about 1.5 hours worth of work in a direct painting style using 1" flat sable brush.  I've been buying old kitchen colanders on eBay and photographing any interesting ones in antique or secondhand stores; love the rusted and shiny metal juxtaposed with smooth colorful vegetables' skins.  I may put these salsa ingredients on a white tablecloth and will finish this still life tomorrow.

Windowsill Veggie Still Life

15x22 watercolor of a collection of vegetables and a pot of herbs still life in a sunny windowsill.Painted wet in wet quickly for that juicy loose look.

More Pears on Pepper Plate collage

11x15 watercolor over collage book pages and slick toilet seat covers on acid free matboard; used matte medium to adhere papers to pencil drawing.  Paint was applied last.  These were fresh pears I put on a large ceramic southwestern pepper motif chip bowl.

Red Hot Chile Ristras

Been looking at all sorts of peppers here in New Mexico as I've been madly painting for a week now in the cool mountains of Ruidoso. Known as the Playground of the Southwest to me it is a chance to connect to nature and enjoy pines, extraordinary light, and delicious cuisine. Art and antiques abound here in this fun place. Since Monday I've completed 3 paintings so will show them to you soon. Stay tuned.

Balancing Act - a vegetable still life

18x12 inches watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press block. Drawn from my fresh vegetables I placed on the side of an overturned mosaic sunflower vase, I placed in a sunny south window and painted wet on dry. Patterns you see beneath are those of glass shards and a metal cross embedded in another mosaic (it is the top of an antique gurney). Top left is the side of a Talavera pottery garden pot.