Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Cthulhu Snooze

Posted on August 21st, 2012

Cthulhu Snooze comic by Amy Crook

Cthulhu Snooze comic by Amy Crook

Before we talk about the tentacles, I bring you news of a highly amusing Kickstarter! They’re doing a giveaway to promote their new indy horror flick, and the minute I saw the title I knew I’d donate a Cthulhu print to the cause. It’s called Call Girl of Cthulhu, and it’s about a hooker-cum-Cthulhu-priestess and the virgin nerd who loves her. I kinda can’t wait to see it in all its awful, cheesetastic glory.

Now, back to today’s art!

The wonderful folks at Chaosium asked me if I had a Cthulhu comic to go in their Gencon newsletter, and while I didn’t, I did have time to draw something up for them. Gencon has come and gone, sadly without my attendance, but a little bit of me was there! My favorite part is the squid looking very scared of Cthulhu’s wiggling foot.

Cthulhu Snooze, 8.5″x5.5″ pen and ink on paper.

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Tentacles, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Fairytale Sky

Posted on August 20th, 2012

Fairytale Sky watercolor by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky watercolor by Amy Crook

This piece exists in the intersection of realism and whimsy. It started with a white crescent moon that fades mysteriously to its dark side with a pitted, rocky texture. Then the cheerful periwinkle clouds spiral through the field of silver stars that shine out in the dark black of the paper. It’s an image that brings to mind the magic of bedtime stories and fairy tales, even the ones with happy endings.

Fairytale Sky, 10″x8″ Japanese watercolor on Arches cover black paper, nfs (sold).

Fairytale Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the silver stars catching the light against the paper – Arches makes this soft black paper for printmaking, but I like it because the black is chemical rather than dyed, so it never fades from its original velvety charcoal color. Below, you can see how this painting might look on your desk, well, if you’ve got the kind of desk I do, anyway. It’s bigger than a lot of my skies, so it would also work well on a bedroom wall or above someone’s bed to help assure sweet dreams.

Fairytale Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
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Glitter Sketch Bookmark

Posted on August 19th, 2012

Glitter Sketch Bookmark by Amy Crook

Glitter Sketch
Bookmark
by Amy Crook

The final bookmark for this week is a silly little doodle made while I was testing out my various colors of glitter gel pen. On the blue-to-white faded background, we’ve got gold filigree, red flame spirals, a purple half of a spiraled crescent moon, more sketchy blue filigree, and swooping green arabesques, plus of course my silver signature. The paper has one natural edge where it came out of the paper mold, called a deckle, and three cut edges to set it off.

Glitter Sketch Bookmark, 1″x6″ glitter gel pen and watercolor on paper, nfs (sold).

Glitter Sketch Bookmark, detail, by Amy Crook

Glitter Sketch Bookmark, detail, by Amy Crook

Above you can see the light shining off the various colors of glitter – the green got a bit too much sunlight there. Below, the bright white of the paper takes the stage when it’s on the dark blue of this week’s book.

Glitter Sketch Bookmark, with book, by Amy Crook

Glitter Sketch Bookmark, with book, by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
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Doctor Who Bookmark 2

Posted on August 18th, 2012

Doctor Who Bookmark 2 by Amy Crook

Doctor Who
Bookmark 2
by Amy Crook

The Tenth Doctor peeks out of the TARDIS, looking quite impish if you ask me. Perhaps he can be your companion on your reading adventures. Or maybe you’ll want him to watch himself with you when the next season starts, though of course he’ll be a whole different Doctor at that point!

Doctor Who Bookmark 2, 1″x6″ pen and ink on paper, nfs (sold).

Doctor Who Bookmark 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Doctor Who Bookmark 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can get a better look at the Doctor’s mischievous expression. Below, he’s hanging out with a book that’s a bit darker than TARDIS blue, but perhaps there’s a better-matching one in your home.

Doctor Who Bookmark 2, with book, by Amy Crook

Doctor Who Bookmark 2, with book, by Amy Crook
(book and iPhone not included)

Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Spiral Bookmark 3

Posted on August 17th, 2012

Spiral Bookmark 3 by Amy Crook

Spiral Bookmark 3
by Amy Crook

This little bookmark uses dark, warm earth tones to in its climbing pattern of lightening spirals. The golden glow at the center of each one has a secret little scattering of subtle salt crystals that give the bookmark an interesting touch of texture. The paper itself is quite soft and thick, almost felt-like, and slightly cream-colored, and invites the fingers to touch.

Spiral Bookmark 3, 1″x5″ watercolor and salt on paper.

Spiral Bookmark 3, detail, by Amy Crook

Spiral Bookmark 3, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the textures of paper, paint and salt interacting on this dark, subtle bookmark. Below, it’s hanging out with a book, just waiting to go to its new home.

Spiral Bookmark 3, with book, by Amy Crook

Spiral Bookmark 3, with book, by Amy Crook, $13.13
(book and iPhone not included)

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Daily Art
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Spiral Bookmark 2

Posted on August 16th, 2012

Spiral Bookmark 2 by Amy Crook

Spiral Bookmark 2
by Amy Crook

This series of overlapping spirals uses three shades of purple Copic marker, none of which show up as warm as the real thing. I enjoyed doodling the idle spirals, overlapping the layers to make a dizzying feast for the eyes.

Spiral Bookmark 2, 1.5″x5″ Copic marker on paper, nfs (sold).

Spiral Bookmark 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Spiral Bookmark 2, detail, by Amy Crook

A close-up tinged with cool blue from the bright afternoon sunlight is above, and below you can see it looking even bluer with the book and my phone. Silly computer.

Spiral Bookmark 2, with book, by Amy Crook

Spiral Bookmark 2, with book, by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Daily Art
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Salt Bookmark 5

Posted on August 15th, 2012

Salt Bookmark 5 by Amy Crook

Salt Bookmark 5
by Amy Crook

I almost tossed this oddly-shaped little wedge of paper, but instead I blunted its tip and messed about with pens to make this bookmark. It’s a bit like an optical illusion with the wobbly lines and erratic bands of green, not to mention the little floating salt bubbles flowing along some of the spokes. It’s signed on the back to keep from interrupting the pattern, which is too mesmerizing to spoil.

Salt Bookmark 5, 1.5″x5″ pen & ink and salt on paper.

Salt Bookmark 5, detail, by Amy Crook

Salt Bookmark 5, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see some of the teeny little salt pools straddling the wobbly radial lines. Below, the book of the week shows off the lovely, thick white watercolor paper nicely.

Salt Bookmark 5, with book, by Amy Crook

Salt Bookmark 5, with book, by Amy Crook
(book and iPhone not included)

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Daily Art, Series and Books
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