CV/Bio
Kay Smith has attained national attention for her transparent watercolors and holds signature status with Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Southwestern, & Wyoming Watercolor Societies, Society of Watercolor Artists, Watercolor Art Society - Houston (elite status with WAS-H), Texas & Neighbors (Irving Art Association) and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. Combinations of exciting design, vibrant color, and dynamic techniques create award winning works of art that radiate with their own magical personality.
Kay is a co-founder of Caboose Watercolor Society, a local group devoted to the promotion of water media. While teaching at her own studio, Brushworks, she is in demand as an instructor, lecturer, and juror. She participates in the annual Alto Artists Tour each August in Alto, New Mexico.
In 1993 Kay took her first watercolor workshop with Ken Hosmer and she is still just as passionate about the medium today. Although that medium remains her favorite, she works in oils, pastels, collage, and mixed media. She has studied with Frank Webb, Tony Couch, Judi Betts, Diane Maxey, Betty Lynch, Ann Templeton, Doug Walton, George James, Warren Taylor, Skip Lawrence, Christopher Schink, Fran Larsen, Alex Powers, Katherine Liu, Linda Kemp, Carla O'Connor, Karlyn Holman, Betsy Dillard Stroud, Frank Francese, Liz Hill, David Savellano, Yvette St. Amant, and Bob Burridge.
She enjoys dual careers in both the healing and fine arts. A registered nurse since 1978, she has painted or drawn on a daily basis. Opening Brushworks on Thanksgiving in 1995, she has sold more than 1200 works in private or corporate collections. Murals, trompe loeil, and faux finishes are done as well. Licensing agreements for custom designs in home decor are enjoyed along with many images on personal checks, address labels, etc. with Check Advantage.
Kay's works have been published in Tom Lynch's Watercolor Rescue Secrets (2008); Splash 7, 14, 20 ; Color Mixing: The 12-Hue Method; The Palette Magazine; Watercolor Magic; International Artist 100 Ways Series: Still Life & Florals Vol.2 and People & Figures Vol.2; Southwest Art Magazine (9/2006);Art Business News (4/2005); Better Homes & Gardens' Creative Home Magazine (Summer & Winter 2007); Painter's Quick Reference Birds & Butterflies (2008); Chris Unwin's The Artistic Touch 4, The Artistic Touch 5 and The Artistic Touch 6.