Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2

Posted on September 12th, 2019

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, by Amy Crook, abstract art featuring the Winter Soldier's metal plates and red star

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

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

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
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The Most Venomous Feminist

Posted on September 10th, 2019

The Most Venomous Feminist by Amy Crook, abstract watercolor of a red hourglass on black paper in spattered blood-red paint

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

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

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
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Hammer of the Gods

Posted on September 8th, 2019

Hammer of the Gods by Amy Crook, an abstract watercolor of shiny lightning against blue stormclouds

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

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

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
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It’s Not Easy Being Green

Posted on September 7th, 2019

It’s Not Easy Being Green by Amy Crook, abstract watercolor of green bleeding into purple

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

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.

It’s Not Easy Being Green, framed art by Amy Crook

It’s Not Easy Being Green, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Stirring Up the Sky

Posted on September 6th, 2019

Stirring Up the Sky by Amy Crook, watercolor painting of a black crow against a shiny blue moon in a shiny dark blue sky

Stirring Up the Sky, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper

More skies, more sparkles, more moon, more bird!

This one’s got a lovely shimmery background, both moon and sky, which the wings of our crow pick up beautifully. There is some matte black in its head and body and along the arches of its bones, but mostly this crow is like a dream of motion, stirring up the sky. The crow blots out the shine of the moon like the only solid piece of reality in a shining, swirling night.

Where would this beauty fit into your reality?

Stirring Up the Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Stirring Up the Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the deep black of the crow going blurred and sparkly against the turquoise glitter of the moon. Below, the painting is shining out of a frame, waiting to go home with you. Yes, you.

Stirring Up the Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Stirring Up the Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Armor in His Bones

Posted on September 5th, 2019

Armor in His Bones by Amy Crook, a painting of a silver skeleton in a gold mask flying through space, a shining blue circle in its sternum

Armor in His Bones, 6″x8″ watercolor on black paper

I admit, I just have Marvel on my mind lately. Although he already got his piece in the other series, I had to do a second homage to my problematic fave.

In the comics, when Tony Stark makes himself nanite armor, it lives in the hollows of his bones rather than separate from himself. When this morbid image came to mind, the name slipped in right along with it.

The blue arc-reactor glow at the center of the skeleton’s chest matches its nebula-like halo, while the face and repulsor-swoosh bring the full Iron Man armor to mind.

Armor in His Bones, detail, by Amy Crook

Armor in His Bones, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the arc-reactor’s blue glow and the gold-titanium mask above it. Below, the painting is in a temporary frame, waiting to fly to its new home.

Armor in His Bones, framed art by Amy Crook

Armor in His Bones, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Halloween Trees 3

Posted on September 4th, 2019

Halloween Trees 3 by Amy Crook, a watercolor of bare trees and flying crows against an orange sunset

Halloween Trees 3, 6″x4″ watercolor on paper

Halloween is starting to be everywhere, and I added some clinging leaves to this month’s ode to autumn. A soft wash of gold and orange gives a rich background to the skeletal trees and swooping flock of birds.

This warm palette brings to mind pumpkin spice and apple cider, crisp leaves and cawing crows, whispered winds and cheap candy, at least for me. Not to mention all the amazing goth housewares that I can find in stores this time of year and use year round!

What’s your favorite part of Halloween season?

Halloween Trees 3, detail, by Amy Crook

Halloween Trees 3, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the twisty branches bleeding into the fiery sky, a few leaves just hanging on and a single crow flying in the background. Below, the painting is resting in a small frame, waiting for its time.

Halloween Trees 3, framed art by Amy Crook

Halloween Trees 3, framed art by Amy Crook

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