Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

World on Fire

Posted on August 7th, 2017

World on Fire by Amy Crook

World on Fire, 8″x4″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

The implied full title of this is Sometimes I Just Want to Set the World on Fire, but I decided to go with a slightly less nihilist version for the finished piece.

The sky glows gold, while orange and red rise up from the smoldering ruins, a fog of smoke wreathing broken towers and burnt-out towns. Who knows what apocalypse visited this place, whether it’s a scene from a distant future or a less-distant one, well, some of us will find out eventually.

It’s a little Mad Max, a little Fallout, and a little beautiful even in its desolation.

World on Fire, detail, by Amy Crook

World on Fire, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close-up of the half-destroyed linked towers and the tiny birds of prey flocking around them. Below, the painting is in a temporary frame, waiting for you to give it a permanent home.

World on Fire, framed art by Amy Crook

World on Fire, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Exploring

Posted on August 5th, 2017

Exploring by Amy Crook

Exploring, 6″x6″ pen & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

Through the fantastic foliage, the tiger stalks its prey. Or that’s what this adventurous tabby cat is imagining. Colored-ink lines give a cartoonish appearance that’s meant to evoke a Disneyish feel (though Disney is usually a bit more coy about cat butt).

If you’ve ever met a cat, you know this is a very common view, however, and soon enough it becomes commonplace. The real question isn’t about the end of the cat facing us, but where the other end is headed off to and what it will find it its explorations.

Exploring, detail, by Amy Crook

Exploring, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the lovely details of ink lines and watercolor shading on the foreground foliage. Below, the kitty is in a frame, to be viewed as though through a cat door as it heads out on its adventure.

Exploring, framed art by Amy Crook

Exploring, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Whimsical and Strange
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The Lovely Tree

Posted on August 4th, 2017

The Lovely Tree, watercolor painting by Amy Crook

The Lovely Tree, 4″x8″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

Beautiful baby-blue blossoms adorn this tree, in contrast to the baby-pink glow of the sunset in the background. Hints of falling petals dot the sky, and barely-seen branches peek through the flowers here and there.

Pulling inspiration from the colors of the trans pride flag, this tree stands tall and proud in support of all the trans people in and out of the military, brave enough to live their truth despite the many obstacles.

The Lovely Tree, detail, by Amy Crook

The Lovely Tree, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the loose, natural details of watercolor overlapping like flower petals, and below the piece is in a temporary frame, waiting to be planted in its permanent home.

The Lovely Tree, framed art by Amy Crook

The Lovely Tree, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Formations 2

Posted on August 3rd, 2017

Formations 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

Formations 2, 6″x4″ Primatek and metallic watercolor on Arches cover buff paper

Unlike the peaceful blue and pale gold of the first Formations, this one has a lovely earthy red made from Minnesota pipestone, and a rich red-gold to match. The paper itself is a warm buff color that adds a third dimension to a very simple palette.

The complex shapes are reminiscent of riverbeds, borders, and other such phenomena both natural and manmade. This one makes me think of a map of some science fictional Mars, where life has found a way to exist even there.

Formations 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Formations 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the glint of gold shining against the paper and paint, bright in the afternoon sun. Below, the painting is tilted toward shadow in its frame, mysterious and distant as another planet.

Formations 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Formations 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Vine Ring

Posted on August 2nd, 2017

Vine Ring by Amy Crook

Vine Ring, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

The third book in my Consulting Magic series is imminent! This beautiful vine ring will be part of the cover, the same way that the mechanical bird graced the first one, and magical flowers the second.

Gold and platinum vines twine around each other, thick and thin, in a graceful and organic pattern. Bright emeralds dot the design here and there, cradled in little curls of metal so their placement looks natural.

It could almost be a circlet or crown rather than a ring, whatever your imagination desires.

Vine Ring, detail, by Amy Crook

Vine Ring, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the tiny green emeralds shining out of the curls of metal vinework. Below, the ring sits in a frame, waiting to decorate your home.

Vine Ring, framed art by Amy Crook

Vine Ring, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Counting Crows print set

Posted on July 27th, 2017

Counting Crows 5x7 print set by Amy Crook on Etsy

Counting Crows 5″x7″ print set by Amy Crook on Etsy

Do you love the Counting Crows series but can’t quite afford (or be fast enough) to get an original? I’ve made up a print set of all five on nicely compact 5″x7″ polar white print paper so they can flock together on your wall, or space the murder out around your home and office.

Subtle red glows through the monochrome of each ghostly image, from the skeletal trees to the mist-shrouded figures, the roosting crows and the foggy, indistinct land beyond. Bloodstone mineral paint created the original images, which you can now get in these beautiful miniature prints.

Named after the famous rhyme for counting crows, magpies, and other blackbirds, this would be a wonderful gift for your favorite lover of graveyards, ghost stories, and all things goth.

Categories: Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Dancing Dalek

Posted on July 25th, 2017

Dancing Dalek, Doctor Who parody art by Amy Crook

Dancing Dalek, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

Feeling in a party mood? Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate!

This dancing Dalek is perhaps also a bit drunk, as he meanders through the world ordering others to join in his celebration. Perfect for birthday festivities, or any other excuse you might have to, well, you know.

I have, of course, made it into a card! It’s blank inside, but I admit I was thinking of birthdays when I drew it.

Celebrate! Dalek greeting card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Celebrate! Dalek greeting card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Categories: Card Design, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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