Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Midnight

Posted on September 6th, 2014

Midnight, abstract watercolor by Amy Crook

Midnight by Amy Crook

This piece is a sequel of sorts to Winter, but it’s black instead of white, iridescent and shiny instead of softly matte, complexly layered instead of simple. This painting holds the layered mystery of the midnight hour, velvety darkness cradling the shining blues, reminding us that there’s always another layer, another path, another point of view.

Midnight, 5″x7″ iridescent, interference, and traditional watercolor on Arches cover black paper.

Midnight, detail, by Amy Crook

Midnight, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the shine of blue partially obscured by the black that runs over and through it, but can’t completely obscure the bright metallics. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, sun lighting up the highlights and shadows drawing you into the depths.

Midnight, framed art by Amy Crook

Midnight, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery
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Flying V

Posted on September 5th, 2014

Flying V by Amy Crook

Flying V by Amy Crook

You can tell I really miss fall, because this is the second painting this month with the lovely dead trees. This time it’s a V of geese flying in the distance, taking the last breath of summer south with them so winter can finally come.

Last month, two patrons were interested in Sleep Until the Sun Goes Down, and the one who didn’t buy it told me she’d have preferred geese. Fortunately, I have that power, and now she’s happily bought her own spooky trees.

Flying V, 8″x4″ pen & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Flying V, detail, by Amy Crook

Flying V, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the geese making their way across the sky in their even formation. Below, you can see them in a frame, hanging out with my iPhone so you can see how tiny they really are.

Flying V, framed art by Amy Crook

Flying V, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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Drowned and Dreamt

Posted on September 4th, 2014

Drowned and Dreamt, abstract art by Amy Crook

Drowned and Dreamt by Amy Crook

This gorgeously morbid piece of abstract art was inspired by the opening credits to Skyfall, and the colors and textures of the blood in the water. I used several washes to give the background its grainy fade of blue-green, and then two colors of opaque Japanese watercolors for the reds, and I’m quite pleased with the final effect.

Drowned and Dreamt, 4″x8″ watercolor and Japanese watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Drowned and Dreamt, detail, by Amy Crook

Drowned and Dreamt, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the brightest reds and the way they interact with the green background where they’re thinner and more translucent. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, an eerie tribute to a visually stunning film.

Drowned and Dreamt, framed art by Amy Crook

Drowned and Dreamt, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Glacial Melt

Posted on September 3rd, 2014

Glacial Melt, abstract art by Amy Crook

Glacial Melt by Amy Crook

The snowy white paper melts into a beautifully subtle array of blues, like a glacier giving way to summer, sending water and debris out to join the ocean. I really love the way the two different paints reacted to one another, giving a broad range of color and texture in the simple shapes.

Glacial Melt, 5″x5″ watercolor on watercolor paper.

Glacial Melt, detail, by Amy Crook

Glacial Melt, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the texture of the paper like snowdrifts with the barest blue shadows in the hollows like sunlight on snow. Below, you can see the painting in a frame, bringing a breath of coolness to the end-of-summer heat.

Glacial Melt, framed art by Amy Crook

Glacial Melt, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery
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Stormriders

Posted on September 2nd, 2014

Stormriders by Amy Crook

Stormriders by Amy Crook

Three small crows brave the stormy skies, suspended between the upward-reaching branches of the tree and the downward-reaching fork of lightning. The clouds are limned in violet light all around the silver bolt, adding an extra touch of mystery.

Stormriders, 6″x4″ pen & ink, watercolor, and metallic and interference watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Stormriders, detail, by Amy Crook

Stormriders, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the way the light shines off the silver and interference violet paints in the lightning and clouds. Below, you can see the piece in a frame. It’s small, but it’s fierce!

Stormriders, framed art by Amy Crook

Stormriders, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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Julian’s sequel is finally out!

Posted on August 29th, 2014

Finally!

After wrestling in June & July with copy edits, and in August with weird tech problems (Createspace was finding their own cover template a tad confusing), I’ve finally published my second book! The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans is a sequel to my first book, where we follow Julian this time as he settles into his new life in the city with Alex.

Also, there’s a Kindle Matchbook thing.

If for some reason you want both versions of the book, you have to buy the physical book first. Then after you’ve paid for that order, you can go back to the ebook page and Amazon will offer you a discount. It’s cool, but tedious.

Either way, it’s done it’s done it’s done omg!

Two books, yay!

PS – If you haven’t read the first one yet, it’ll be free for a few days on Kindle. It’s the perfect chance!

Categories: Words Words Words
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Who’s the Boss?

Posted on August 27th, 2014

On a case…

Who's the Boss? a Sherlock comic, panel 1 by Amy Crook

Who's the Boss? a Sherlock comic, panel 2 by Amy Crook

Who's the Boss? a Sherlock comic, panel 3 by Amy Crook

…or at home?

Who's the Boss? a Sherlock comic, panel 4 by Amy Crook

Who's the Boss? a Sherlock comic, panel 5 by Amy Crook

Who's the Boss? a Sherlock comic, panel 6 by Amy Crook

This gloriously silly comic was a commission, but you can buy it as a print in my Etsy shop.

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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