Prickly Pear Cactus Surprise

6x6 watercolor, India ink, and gel pen in Masters Touch sketchbook done a few days ago, a quick design to use up colors for a mixed black (Permanent Brown (Daniel Smith), phthalo green (Dick Blick), and Indanthrene blue (Holbein). When dry black ink dropper tip used to make scattered line marks for the prickly pear cactus pods and white gel pen for other marks such as thorns and spots. COPYRIGHT 2023 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

Bucolic Landscape

6.25x14.75 acrylics on matboard done recently as a WetCanvas challenge.  For July, participants had to do the following:

1.  Work only in acrylic
2.  Use non-dominant hand
3.  Must be a bucolic landscape

Since I don't use that media much and detest landscapes, it sounded like a fun project to have ready by the 21st.  I'm ambidextrous so no problem there.  My photos were not too exciting, so this southwest scene is entirely imaginary and I used Derivan Matisse matte paint, Liquitex, and Basics brands of paint along with a 1" bristle flat brush done left-handed.
Image COPYRIGHT 2017 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.