Pearl and Me

5.5x8.5 watercolor using White Nights paints on Canson 117 lb cold press paper, done week before last while on a trip. I had recently snapped a photo of Pearl resting on my right arm. If she can catch me sitting down and still she will hop on for a little cuddle time. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2026

Pearl with Crossed Legs

8x6 watercolor on handmade rough 140 lb cold press paper done last month, using studio cat Pearl as my model. Here she was with her front legs crossed looking like a lady. She is a dilute calico. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

People Kitty

4x6 watercolor, gouache, and ink line (Uniball pen) on magazine card insert from People publication.  This is Jezebel, studio cat, again, whom I quickly sketched yesterday and painted.  She does not wear a collar anymore as she rarely ventures outside but I added one here for color and balance.  Jezzie really is a people purrson and has met hundreds over the years.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Studio Cat Studies

8.5x5.5 mixed media collage on paper completed yesterday of Jezebel, my studio cat.  The upper left area is a small square of her bathing, a quick outline using new Lamy Safari ink pen, just a gesture sketch really. The paper was used underneath different sketchbooks to prevent paint overruns.  It was too cute to throw away so collage was done, then an ink outline using Micron 01 pen of Jez sitting on kitchen table. You can see my drafting table to the left of her head and the green chair back under her chin.  Studio walls are a dull green. She was born in 2000 so will be 15 this year, still alert and active but very thin and sleeps more. Media used were watercolor, inks, and collage on Masters Sketchbook.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Jezebel Cat Dozing

6x6 watercolor and ink line wash on Masters paper of my studio Siamese Jezebel dozing in a southern window.  The warm sun helps her 14 year old joints and bones feel better I'm sure! She is such a sweetheart and has many friends who stop by just to pet her.  One of my customers even brings her cooked fresh salmon!
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Hallie Cat in the Studio

6x6 Pigma Micron 01 pen sketch with watercolor washes of my rescue kitty Hallie (Halloween).  She sat on my movie star table surrounded by fake calla lilies, a zebra chair, and other plants.  As a black and orange tortoiseshell I thought her mixed patterns would fit right in that artistic environment.  This was my daily painting yesterday.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Evildoer Siamese Cat repost

15x11 watercolor wet in wet painted yesterday and reposted here after some touchups done.  I really looked at Jezebel today and thought her little face was too dark in the painting, not allowing for her creamy fur to show above the eye and on top of her head. So I lifted and smoothed out with a Fritch scrubber brush from Cheap Joe's.  Also her left front leg was too wide so corrected that and finally took out the very top of her arched back to have a lost edge.  That was my intention yesterday but got too involved and didn't.So now my studio kitty should read as a better pet portrait.

Object of My Affection: Siamese Cat Jezebel

22x15 watercolor of studio cat Jezebel taking her morning sunshine bath in a south window there.  I found her as a stray kitten in 2000 so she is now 12 and still as feisty as ever.  My favorite memory is that she stared down and rushed at a runaway boxer dog several years ago and didn't even have to hiss or spit as he turned and ran.  Here's to your 12th birthday, sweet Jezzie!

Tax Day!!! Jezebel the Cat is Broke!!!

Look at Jezzie sitting in the studio front room, waiting on the Tax Man to cometh. She will have to say that she has NO money. Better get to paintin', kitty, 'cause you owe a lot!