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.

Yellow Cactus Bloom - Day 27 of 30 Day Challenge

5x5 watercolor on 140 lb Canson cold press paper painted today for day #27.  This close up of a prickly pear yellow cactus flower along with more blooms on the pear shaped pods is already SOLD.  Known as nopales, the thin nutritious pads are edible.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.