Blog « Antemortem Arts | Fine Art & Custom Paintings

99 Tech Toys

Posted on September 19th, 2019

99 Tech Toys by Amy Crook, 5″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper

When my friend Amber asked me to help her think of a birthday card design to tease her husband about the Switch he didn’t have*, we tossed around a few ideas, but this was the winner. “I got 99 tech toys but a Switch ain’t one” was just too funny not to use, plus it let me design Rap Badass Rey, which will have many uses in the future.

Some of the text was edited in post, mainly the Switch logo effect, because sometimes computers really do just do it better.

*obviously, he got one along with the card

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Pretty Words, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: be a cartoon, commission, nfs, pen and ink, rey, sold, watercolor

Concentric 7

Posted on September 17th, 2019

Concentric 7, 12″x9″ watercolor on paper

It was an especially difficult month for photography, with black paper, strange colors, and all kinds of shinies.

This addition to my Concentric series is a beautiful mix of greens and golds, with the dots themselves a special effects paint that switches from pale green to bright gold depending on the angle of the light and the exact mix of ingredients.

The slightly-raised dots feel like fireflies, galaxies, eyes, or petals floating on a green pond. It would make a peaceful addition to any room, adding a touch of sparkle.

Concentric 7, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see those golden dots catching the light, turning different colors depending on the mix of the unusual interference paint. Below, this large piece is in a temporary frame, soon to fly to its new home.

Concentric 7, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: concentric, interference, nfs, sold, watercolor

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2

Posted on September 12th, 2019

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The first version of this painting was lost in a tragic house fire. All the humans made it out safe, but the house was a total loss.

And thus we have a second take! Like a dance remix, but with more murder. Some things can never be replaced, and this piece isn’t exactly like its predecessor, but then again, Bucky goes through a lot of changes, too.

I’ve got the Original Six Avengers all done now, plus Bucky. We’ll see who inspires me next!

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the star up close, the darker bullet hole in the middle surrounded by thickly painted red. Below, it’s in a frame, waiting for the recipient to find a new home for it to live in.

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Completed Commissions, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: commission, mcu, mcu abstracts, metallic, nfs, sold, watercolor, winter soldier

The Most Venomous Feminist

Posted on September 10th, 2019

The Most Venomous Feminist, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The title for Black Widow’s abstract comes from an Ice T song, “Big Gun,” which in turn is from Tank Girl. Badass superheroes all around!

The background on this one has some very subtle texture and sparkle to it, much like the weave of Natasha’s uniform. The iconic logo has been splattered in with a rather bloody red, a little messy but still the unmistakeable warning of the red hourglass.

This piece would make an excellent statement that your favorite Avenger takes no crap from anyone, and neither do you.

The Most Venomous Feminist, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the slightly glossy blood red in all is layered, drippy glory. Below, the painting is in a frame, ready to creep into its new home.

The Most Venomous Feminist, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
Tags: black widow, japanese watercolor, mcu, mcu abstracts, nfs, sold, watercolor

September’s Floating Gallery is CLOSED!

Posted on September 9th, 2019

See you again next month!

The Floating Gallery has pulled up stakes and drifted off into the sunset!

I hope you enjoyed September’s temporary exhibits, and will be back in November for more. This month’s pieces have been sold or retired to make room for all new art. Join the email list to get an early pass into all the future Floating Galleries.

In the meantime, my Etsy shop is still open, and there will be comics and other, stranger posts here on the blog. You can also support me on Patreon if you want to make sketch requests, get downloads, see pieces as they’re finished, or just feel good about yourself as a patron of the arts!

Categories: Floating Gallery

Hammer of the Gods

Posted on September 8th, 2019

Hammer of the Gods, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper

Thor’s third movie really changed things for him as a character, and this art calls up the cinematic moment when he and his lightning come crashing down on his enemies to the tune of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” — which is also the source of the title.

The spreading tendrils of lightning at the bottom all but vanish until you tilt the page to the sun, and then it all lights up just like crashing down from the heavens.

Thunder not included.

Hammer of the Gods, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the bright shine of abstract lightning against the low-hanging clouds, forking out before it strikes the ground. Below, the power is contained in a frame, but for how long?

Hammer of the Gods, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: for sale, interference, iridescent, lightning, mcu, mcu abstracts, thor, watercolor

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Posted on September 7th, 2019

It’s Not Easy Being Green, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper

And now the strongest of the original Avengers — the Hulk!

I still remember watching the Lou Ferrigno show, and seeing him in Saturday morning cartoons as well. The colors here are, again, the comics palette, because there’s a part of me that will always think of those ridiculous purple pants against painted-green skin.

This painting is, of course, titled after a Muppet’s signature song, but I think it embodies the Bruce Banner experience pretty well — it’s not easy having this issue, green bleeding into and taking over the calmer colors of everyday life.

It’s Not Easy Being Green, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close-up of the Hulk green bleeding out and subsuming the purple of Bruce Banner’s favorite pants. Below, the painting is in a frame, calm as it can be and definitely not going to break out.