Artist Bio: Kay Smith 

In 1993 oil painter Kay Smith began watercolor with her first Ken Hosmer workshop. With this ever changing medium she found her niche. Largely self taught, she keeps abreast of changing trends in color, design, and subject matter by taking or giving watercolor or mixed media  workshops.  She maintains studios in New Mexico and in Texas.  A registered nurse, Kay graduated from Pensacola, FL and the University of Dundee, Scotland.

 

Her award winning work is included in Color Mixing: The 12 Hue Method, by Christopher Willard, Rockport Publishers; Splash 7, (2002); Splash 14 (2013); Splash 20 (2018) North Light Books.  Her work has been included in two International Artist books, "100 Ways to Paint Still Life & Florals" Vol. 2; "100 Ways to Paint People & Figures" Vol. 2. Her work is in Art Business News, March 2005 and in Tom Lynch's Watercolor Rescue Secrets, 2008.  In  2010 and 2012 her art appeared in the popular worldwide publications: The Artistic Touch 4 and The Artistic Touch 5 by Chris Unwin.  In 2014, the Unwins offered her work again in The Artistic Touch 6.  Bird illustrations are featured in Painter's Quick Reference Birds & Butterflies by North Light Books (2008). A still life painting is in Watercolor Magic magazine 2006. She has attained signature status with these watercolor organizations:  Southwestern Watercolor Society, Texas Watercolor Society, Wyoming Watercolor Society, New Mexico Watercolor Society, Society of Watercolor Artists, Watercolor Art Society - Houston, and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies.  Another signature earned is with Texas & Neighbors (Irving Art Association).

Kay's watercolors hang in the Texas State Capitol building in Austin, TX as well as in England, Germany, France, Netherlands, Thailand, and Australia.  She teaches art in her own gallery, Brushworks Studio in Big Spring, TX.  She is one of three artists who founded Caboose Watercolor Society in 1997 locally in Big Spring. Visit her website and blog links below at https://kaysmith.artspan.com and http://kaysmithbrushworks.blogspot.com

 

 

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

 

"Working from dark to light provides me with immediate gratification seeing value comparisons. Whether I'm painting architectural subjects, animals, floral or still life, I am always looking for the darks first. By establishing these values early, I'm better able to judge the values that follow.

Since creating art is a solitary pursuit, I become absorbed and as one with the painting. Initial excitement usually drives me headlong into a sketching mode with or without value studies.  I work from photographs, plein air, and from life.

I paint because I have to paint; I want to show you what I see. Viewing my works will be a revelation of who I am.

Remember this: Good art won't match your sofa!"