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

Spring Porch

8x5.5 watercolor and ink line on Strathmore Visual Journal for mixed media. I used a Micron 01 pen to draw the scene and it has been awhile since painting any houses or porch chairs. This was from one of my east Texas photos around Jefferson. I love country porch scenes, houses with shutters, and plenty of flowers waiting for a Spring rain. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith

Marigolds and Cannas

5.5x8.5 watercolor in Master's Touch sketchbook done last month, a focus on potted plants painted plein air while on a trip to New Mexico. These were in the town of Lincoln. COPYRIGHT 2024 Kay Smith

An Outdoor Cafe

6x6 watercolor in Masters Touch sketchbook (paper 80 lb.) done last week from one of my outdoor cafe photos. I did crop it to focus more on the people and umbrellas in this cheerful landscape town scene. COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

National Pink Day ~ Blue Shutters and Flowers

6x6 watercolor using White Nights paints on Masters Touch 80 lb paper done a couple weeks ago. Since today is National Pink Day I thought sharing this recent sunny house, pots, and pink flowering tree appropriate. COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

Hollyhock House

Hollyhock House 15x22 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper partially done wet in wet of an imaginary country summer home surrounded by hollyhock garden with more plants. COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

Hanging Baskets

15x22 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper done again a few days ago from photos of greenhouse hanging floral baskets. I photographed these at 4 Seasons in Ruidoso, NM. These geranium varieties and the mixed petunia annuals are so pretty. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Downtown

9x6.25 watercolor pencil sketch with watercolor done over the weekend on Lanaquarelle 140 lb hot press paper.  The photo from downtown somewhere had to be finished in 2 hour time limit so my painting time was one hour, 10 minutes.  I liked the cute couple holding hands wearing their green and red complementary colors while a guy seated on the right past the hotel sign was watching them stroll along.
COPYRIGHT 2019 Kay Smith

Garden Center Rabbit

12x9 watercolor on Langston 140 lb cold press paper, a previous plein air painting during a group paint out in Midland.  I took about 1.5 hours to sketch then paint with travel palette and outdoors gear.  The white rabbit garden statue was quite large sitting amongst the clay pots of petunias and other annuals.
COPYRIGHT Kay Smith

Antique Store Petunias

11x15 watercolor of a downtown Big Spring antique store owned by the Atkins family, complete with potted petunias and a red yucca.  This is from a photograph I took there when my studio was next door. A limited palette of cerulean blue, yellow ochre, and Indian red was used.  I've painted other versions of this old store and all have found new homes.
COPYRIGHT Kay Smith

4 Inch Petunias and Geraniums

18x20.25 watercolor on Arches 140 lb cold press paper painted from one of my greenhouse photos of mostly white geraniums with purple and red petunias scattered about.  A stencil was used for the patterned metal mesh the potted plants are sitting on.
COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2018

Pear Pitcher Blooms

11x15 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper, a floral still life set up with my antique ceramic pitcher, white pot, and a clay pot holding mums, marigolds, and philodendron.  I had grouped these all together on a patio table outdoors.  This work is SOLD.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Studio Pots and Plants ink sketch

8.5x11 ink sketch on Bienfang sketchbook finished today.  This was Friday's homework assignment on Sketchbook Skool in which we were instructed to do an "infographics", similar to illustrated journaling and storyboards.  I walked around my studio and began drawing from life using a black Uniball pen.  From a tiny mint green antique vase to hanging window fern and on around I came up with enough pots and plants to fill the page.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

The Marketplace

6x9 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper painted today.  Using a previous sheet I put underneath other works that's already splattered and marked, I drew figures, tables, plants and umbrellas in this imaginary marketplace scene.
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Table for Two

8.5x11 watercolor and ink on Strathmore sketchbook for mixed media; ink used was Lamy Safari with Noodler's grey ink.  Done a few days ago for a WetCanvas contest, the ref was provided by Bonnie, who shared her France trip.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

New Patio

8.5x5.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 01) on Masters paper, drawn and sketched Saturday evening as an exercise for Sketchbook Skool's Boot Kamp.  This is my patio with new plants added and a whole lot of work over the weekend.
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Corner of the Garden

10.25x9 watercolor and ink of a garden corner I've decorated with metal watercans, pots and potted plants.  Using Pitt pen, I sketched the items first then put in darks followed by midtones and lights last.  My red geraniums this Spring are especially lovely. This one was done last week when I had time on vacation.
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Spring Porch

8x5.5 watercolor and ink line on Strathmore Visual Journal for mixed media done today.  I used a Micron 01 pen to draw the scene and it has been awhile since painting any houses or porch chairs.  This was from one of my east Texas photos.  I love country porch scenes, houses with shutters, and plenty of flowers waiting for a Spring rain.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

The Patio

6x8.5 watercolor and ink line on light blue tinted ColorSketch paper done for illustrated journaling Sketchbook Skool assignment.  Soon these geraniums et al will be moved indoors as cold weather should begin next week.  The blue green bistro set will stay out.  This year my pink hydrangeas did not bloom due to lack of water but here I've included them along with tiger lilies that were not too plentiful either.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.

Bulb Bouquets

15x22 watercolor still life of three potted bulbs I set up and painted several years ago.  On the left we have narcissus (paperwhites), parrot tulips in center, then purple miniature irises far right in a handpainted pot.This work is SOLD.
Image is COPYRIGHT Kay Smith.