Spiky Cactus

4.25x5.5 watercolor and India ink on 140 lb cold press paper done last week, using no ref, just impulsive colors and design. Another in my cactus series, this one is focused on the placement of leaves, thorns, and textures. COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

Red Prickly Pear Cactus

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 01 pen) on Masters paper, sketched for InkTober last month with color added later from one of my many cactus images.
COPYRIGHT 2018 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.

Pastel Hues Prickly Pear Cactus

11x15 watercolor on 140 lb cold press Kilimanjaro paper finished today.  Using one of my cactus prickly pear photos I isolated one area, drew it in pencil, then painted it using pastel pinks, yellows, sherbet oranges.  Blooms were done in green shades, so all is opposite what you see in nature.  Years ago I took the same photo and did a half sheet larger scene using same colors for a pleasing southwest art design.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Cactus Flame

11x15 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper finished today.  Actually I have been laboring over this for 3 days, working on it as I had time.  This vibrant red orange cactus bloom captivated me when I saw it in our park by the big spring for which our town is named.  Parts of pods were dried and withered but the bloom was there in all its flaming glory.  Again I used Mint Julep (American Journey by Cheap Joe's) plus various shades of gold, ochre, sienna, and indigo for the greenish grey pods or leaves.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Purple Prickly Pear Cactus

12x15 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press completed today after about 3 days' work.  These cactus blooms caught my eye as they bloom in May here in west Texas, and the purple coloration set off the orange yellows. A patch of sthe spiky succulent plants was growing near to the big spring for which our town is named.  I used two opaques together, American Journey's  Mint Julep and Blue Bice, for most of the softer green areas, with a lot of water.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.