Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Blue Moon 6

Posted on March 4th, 2019

Blue Moon 6 by Amy Crook, three crows flying against a blue near-full moon in a swirling dark sky

Blue Moon 6, 6″x4″ gouache and watercolor on paper

A blue moon hangs gibbous in the dark of night, mysterious colors peeking out through the mist around it. Three birds make their way across, neither entirely silhouetted nor completely illuminated.

This was almost “three for a death” after a different version of the counting crows rhyme, though these feel more like ravens to me. An unkindness of three, though who knows how many more are lurking among the swirling shadows.

Whether waxing or waning, the moon floats serenely in a halo of its own light, secure that the time will bring its cycle back to full soon enough.

Blue Moon 6, detail, by Amy Crook

Blue Moon 6, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the moon glowing, the spirals of darkness reaching, and the ravens soaring. Below, you can see this small art in its frame, perfect for tucking a piece of once upon a time into your own space.

Blue Moon 6, framed art by Amy Crook

Blue Moon 6, framed art by Amy Crook

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

Posted on March 3rd, 2019

Be Kind by Amy Crook, abstract art with word art text

Be Kind, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper

The second new painting in my Aglow series this month, this one’s got a quote from another wonderful human being who inspires us to be better humans — Mr. Rogers.

There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.

The message was shortened for this small painting, but still contains his threefold wisdom: be kind. be kind. be kind.

Be Kind, detail, by Amy Crook

Be Kind, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a detail of the brush calligraphy against the soft bloom of purple against blue watercolor. Below, the painting is in a frame, waiting to add a spot of kindness to your home.

Be Kind, framed art by Amy Crook

Be Kind, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Pretty Words, Series and Books
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Jellyfish Bloom 2

Posted on March 2nd, 2019

Jellyfish Bloom 2 by Amy Crook, a strange watercolor painting of transparent jellyfish against a turquoise ocean

Jellyfish Bloom 2, 6″x4″ white ink and watercolor on paper

The jellyfish are blooming again!

Near-transparent against the turquoise sea, they float below and only catch the light when it suits them. Their bodies are made of a shimmering interference blue that nearly vanishes, while the opaque white ink of the ribs and details keeps them visible even when the sunshine is fleeting.

This painting is beautiful in person, a tiny box of jewels to adorn your life in pale blues and enameled whites.

Jellyfish Bloom 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Jellyfish Bloom 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sun glinting off the near-invisible shine of the jellyfish, turning the matte white ink into shadow. Below, you can see these tiny jellies in their own frame, like a tank of lovely pets that never need to be fed.

Jellyfish Bloom 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Jellyfish Bloom 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Baby Cthulhu

Posted on February 21st, 2019

Cthulhu in a pink bonnet and diaper, with yellow teddy bear slippers, holding a teddy bear's head and sucking on a pacifier, by Amy Crook

Baby Cthulhu, 8″x10″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

My friend Amber had a baby and I’ve been given the duty of being the lad’s fairy gothmother. So far that’s mostly consisted of helping keep mom sane, but she also commissioned me to draw something for the baby’s room.

Cthulhu here is a bit crabby about his getup, from the pink bonnet and binky to the happy yellow slippers. He’s expressing his displeasure with some rather graphic threats enacted on the poor teddy bear. Watch out, this Elder God’s not too into his naptime after all.

Want a Cthulhu shirt of your own? I put this baby on Redbubble so you, too, can sport a cranky Cthulhu.

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Card Design, Completed Commissions, Series and Books, Tentacles, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Bane and Blake

Posted on February 13th, 2019

chibi John Blake and Bane from TDKR by Amy Crook

Bane and Blake, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

A lovely teacup-sized human commissioned some chibi goodness a while back, and here they are! Bane and John Blake from Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, looking just as grumpy as you might expect when faced with each other. They never actually meet in the movie, thankfully, probably because Blake is too busy doing every single police-related job and possibly also walking people’s dogs or something.

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces
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How to Roast Vegetables

Posted on February 6th, 2019

a recipe for How to Roast Vegetables, hand lettered and illustrated by Amy Crook

How to Roast Vegetables, 5″x8.25″ pen & ink and watercolor in a watercolor Moleskine

This odd little cookbook project isn’t entirely abandoned! Your artist is finally, finally starting to catch up with the many things that 2018 interfered with, and one of them is this cookbook project.

This one’s a little primer on how to roast veggies. Roast veggie hash with eggs is the best breakfast to have for dinner. Enjoy!

Categories: Completed Commissions, Pretty Words, Series and Books
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Kum’n’Go Flirting

Posted on January 24th, 2019

AU Arthur and Eames as night-shift working chibis by Amy Crook

Kum’n’Go Flirting, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker

Yet Another Commission* is done! This is Eames as an EMT and Arthur as a night-shift worker at the actual real convenience store chain Kum & Go. They’re flirting over a cup of coffee, with some cute blushes and happy faces, because it doesn’t matter what universe they’re in, they’re adorable together.

*Getting closer to the end of the list!

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces
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