Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Raptor

Posted on March 23rd, 2015

Raptor, commission by Amy Crook for Jo Van Every

Raptor, commission by Amy Crook for Jo Van Every

Jo’s commissioned a lot of things from me over the past couple of years, and this was one of the simplest, though it took some thought before setting brush to paper. She’d found this lovely image of a raptor diving out of its nest on a cliff that we both loved, and I wanted that feeling of the leap without burdening the image with too much detail.

This is what Jo has to say about it:

I recently restarted a yoga practice. Doing sun arms seems to summon an image of me as a raptor taking off from a cliff edge. Which is a wonderful feeling of freedom. I decided to commission Amy to paint it so I can have a reminder on the wall above my computer even when both hands are busy doing something else.

-Jo Van Every

Raptor, 7″x5″ brush and ink on paper.

Categories: Completed Commissions, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: , , , , , , ,


Red & Blue Bookmarks

Posted on March 18th, 2015

4 Red & Blue Bookmarks by Amy Crook

4 Red & Blue Bookmarks by Amy Crook

4 fandoms, 4 characters, 4 colors! Loosely rendered black drawings with grey shading, colored in scribbled blue with touches of red. Sherlock’s got a blue scarf and red buttonhole, the eleventh Doctor has his blue TARDIS and red bow tie, the debonair 007 has a blue tie and pocket square with a red cherry in his drink, and Spock is in his regulation science blue with a red screen on his original series style tricorder.

The original art from these sketchy designs will be in the next bookmark sale on my list, if you fancy your very own, or you can pick up the set shown above at my Etsy shop.

Categories: Card Design, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Coffee, Tea… or Me?

Posted on March 16th, 2015

Coffee, Tea... or Me? fan art by Amy Crook

Coffee, Tea… or Me? fan art by Amy Crook

One of my lovely patrons is a huge fan of my favorite silver fox, DI Greg Lestrade from BBC’s Sherlock. We haven’t seen nearly enough of him of late, so he’s brought us a little something, and is using the classic line, “Coffee, Tea… or Me?” I’d go for him and the tea, personally, how about you?

Since the original was a commission, he’s off to his new home, but I decided to put this flirty card up on Etsy for those of you who want a little extra charm (and caffeine) in your lives.

Coffee, Tea… or Me? 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Flirty Lestrade greeting card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Flirty Lestrade greeting card by Amy Crook on Etsy

 

Categories: Card Design, Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments »


Allons-y

Posted on March 11th, 2015

Allons-y, a Doctor Who comic by Amy Crook

Allons-y, a Doctor Who comic by Amy Crook

A delightfully detailed Doctor is demonstrating his determination! He’s grateful, sure, but there’s still things to do, so he says, “Yes, yes, Thank you. Now, Allons-y!” From the pinstripes on his suit to the whoosh of his coat, the tenth Doctor is all drawn up, just waiting to hurry you along, or express your gratitude to someone who deserves it.

Allons-y, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Doctor Who thank you card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Doctor Who thank you card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Categories: Card Design, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: , , , , ,


Glass Fish

Posted on March 5th, 2015

Glass Fish by Amy Crook

Glass Fish by Amy Crook

This translucent fishy is swimming in a lovely blue-green bowl, fins fanned out like tattered silk. There’s just a hint of scales along his body, and his big black eyes and grumpy mouth make him adorable as well as elegant.

His body is a rich, bright orange with hints of red and gold, but you can see the water through the transparent paint.

He’s a bit like a painting of a glass sculpture of a fish. Very meta.

Glass Fish, 7″x5″ watercolor on paper.

Glass Fish, detail, by Amy Crook

Glass Fish, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the elegant sweep of his transparent tail. Below, he’s nestled in a frame, swimming happily in the tiny space. Unlike real fish, paintings don’t need big tanks.

Glass Fish, framed art by Amy Crook

Glass Fish, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
Tags: , , , ,


Smoke 2

Posted on March 4th, 2015

Smoke 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

Smoke 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

An obvious sequel to the painting above, Smoke 2 has more variation in both line and colour. I used a different paint, one that’s a mix of greens, and varied the technique as well.

Where the first painting is full of roiling clouds, this smoke drifts up in lazy lines. It reminds me more of an altar with thin sticks of incense burning at different rates, each one sending up its own cloud of colour and scent.

I don’t smoke myself*, but I always did love incense and candles, and the different strange shapes that occur when two insubstantial elements interact, air and smoke dancing together to create something ephemeral and beautiful.

*no, not that, either

Smoke 2, 4″x6″ watercolor on paper.

Smoke 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Smoke 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the variation in colour from blue-green to forest green to olive, dissolving in wisps that are just barely visible on the thick, creamy paper. Below, the piece is in a frame, small and unassuming, but perfect to bring a little beauty and peace into an otherwise drab space.

Smoke 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Smoke 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: , , ,


Smoke 1

Posted on March 3rd, 2015

Smoke 1, abstract watercolor by Amy Crook

Smoke 1, abstract watercolor by Amy Crook

Thick black smoke dissipates into fanciful curls and clouds, diffused by the draughts of invisible air.

This abstract painting is an exploration of subtle detail, a mix of the deliberate and random. The paint is blue-black, and little hints of blue show up here and there among the shades of grey.

As peaceful as watching incense burn, this frozen moment won’t make anyone sneeze or set off the fire alarm. It would make a wonderful meditation focus, each tiny facet a point of consideration.

Smoke 1, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper.

Smoke 1, detail, by Amy Crook

Smoke 1, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see some of the drifts and swirls up close, showing variations in the grey from blue to violet. Below, you can see the smoke trapped in a frame, forever frozen to the eye.

Smoke 1, framed art by Amy Crook

Smoke 1, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: , ,


« Or Head Back That Way Drip divider More Art This Way »