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| Kay Smith, Artist Laureate of Illinois, Fire Works behind the Statue of Liberty, from The American Legacy Collection. |
"Watercolors have brought Kay Smith from the hills of Mount Rushmore to the stall of the esteemed racehorse Secretariat, as she’s spent her life depicting U.S. history with her paintings." Vanessa Lopez, Chicago Sun Times, February 2023.
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| The White House in Winter |
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| Valley Forge |
What a fascinating American artist. The mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, has declared today Kay Smith Day in honor of her 100th birthday. The Mayor's proclamation recognizes Smith's Illinois roots, her teaching and community contributions, and the various thematic collections that make her art meaningful and popular: The American Legacy Collection, which includes 250 beautiful watercolor renditions of our monuments, battlefields, historic homes, and special places; and the America Horseracing Collection that includes an award-winning portrait of Secretariat.
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| Morning Bliss |
It made me think how fun it would be to teach American History using her collections. I also love her flowers and gardens, all so pretty, positive and bright.
Kay Smith says that her passion for painting is what keeps her going. It certainly has. She is still painting at her home in Lincoln Park, surrounded by the art she's created over the years. There are also paintings in process, just waiting for her to take her brush and do what she loves, what she has always loved.
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| Smith's studio is in her home. |
She started when she was six years old. She startled her mother then by saying, "I'm going to be an artist." And that's what she became. Chicago, America, the world are fortunate she did.
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| Monticello |
2. Artist Laureate of Illinois Kay Smith says her passion for painting keeps her going - Chicago Sun-Times (suntimes.com), by Vanessa Lopez. Pat Nabong photographer
3. Artist Kay Smith Still Lifes, Gardens and Landscapes (kaysmithartist.com) Kay's blog, Kay's story
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