Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Formations

Posted on June 8th, 2017

Formations, abstract art by Amy Crook

Formations, 7″x5″ Primatek and metallic watercolor on Arches Cover buff paper

This newest installation of the Map series is inspired by the amazing images we’ve been seeing in the past few years of Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter.

A wobbly blue planet has its mysterious formations outlined in a warm silver that complements the creamy buff paper that makes the space around it. Everything about this painting is muted and soft, inviting the viewer to appreciate the fine details.

What would you name these mysterious geological formations?

Formations, detail, by Amy Crook

Formations, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sun glinting off the metallic formations, the silver tone as warm as the paper. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, posing for your perusal before it heads off to its new home.

Formations, framed art by Amy Crook

Formations, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Five for Silver 2

Posted on June 7th, 2017

Five for Silver 2, a Counting Crows painting by Amy Crook

Five for Silver 2, 6″x6″ Primatek watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

Part five of the eerily monochrome Counting Crows series, we’ve moved along in the rhyme to a whole roost of crows and a bit of silver.

Our ghostly figure this time has a distinctly skeletal appearance, and the crows are all arrayed above her in a perfect murder. The lightning-split tree reaches up through the mist toward what little light has filtered down on this foggy day.

It’s fascinating how fog can reduce the entire world to just you and things you can barely see, isn’t it?

Five for Silver 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Five for Silver 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the titular crows arrayed above the faded figure in all her eerie glory. Below, this painting roosts in a frame, waiting to fly to its new home.

Five for Silver 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Five for Silver 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Winter Rain

Posted on June 6th, 2017

Winter Rain by Amy Crook

Winter Rain, 8″x4″ Primatek and metallic watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

Shimmering iridescent rain falls in a curtain behind these stalwart winter trees, branches reaching up to drink in the moisture. Seven crows are winging in, a full murder alighting on the branches to discuss whatever business it is that corvids have on days like this.

You can imagine yourself transported to this quiet day, breathing in the ozone scent of petrichor, listening to the gentle patter of rainfall and the soft cawing of crows. A different kind of beautiful day, but perfect for a certain sort of soul.

Winter Rain, detail, by Amy Crook

Winter Rain, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sunlight glinting off the rain, the twisty trees, and the crows coming in for a landing. Below, you can see this art framed, a beautiful slice of winter in a small package.

Winter Rain, framed art by Amy Crook

Winter Rain, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Mountain Heart

Posted on June 5th, 2017

Mountain Heart by Amy Crook

Mountain Heart, 6″x4″ Primatek and metallic watercolor on watercolor postcard

Framed by a rich midnight blue sky and sparkling silver stars, regal purple mountains stand fast. You can imagine standing up at the top, bathed in the golden sunrise peeking from behind them, feeling the universe sending you love.

Organic shapes are contained within the heart, a nod to the diversity of nature. Metallic stars shine in complementing spirals all around.

This beautiful painting will add a big measure of ‘whoa’ in a small package wherever you choose to hang it.

Mountain Heart, detail, by Amy Crook

Mountain Heart, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the stars catching the light, and a swatch of the lovely rugged purple mountains framed by midnight. Below, this tiny painting is in a frame, small enough to tuck anywhere you need a stalwart heart.

Mountain Heart, framed art by Amy Crook

Mountain Heart, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
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Pattern Cat

Posted on June 3rd, 2017

Pattern Cat by Amy Crook

Pattern Cat, 7″x5″ ink and watercolor on Arches cover white paper

This basking cat is covered in a pattern of repeating arcs which create a larger sense of pattern when viewed from a distance. It’s got its face up into the golden sunlight, with shimmering amethyst darkness all around.

There’s a little hint that perhaps the cat is scenting something good — your dinner, probably — but for now it’s just enjoying the moment.

Cats are, after all, solar powered.

Pattern Cat, detail, by Amy Crook

Pattern Cat, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a very close detail of the cat’s patterned ears perked up in the sunbeam. Below, this unique kitty is lounging in its frame, just waiting for its forever home.

Pattern Cat, framed art by Amy Crook

Pattern Cat, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
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Emerald City

Posted on June 2nd, 2017

Emerald City by Amy Crook

Emerald City, 12.2″x9.1″ watercolor on L’Aquarelle Canson Héritage paper

This city comes with a story — someone asked whether my Rainy City parasol was from the Wizard of Oz, and while that wasn’t, this one is.

Brighter greens and a beautiful orange sunset make this a much brighter city, too. The clouds were dyed a bit green from the glow of the city below, which stays away from mundane building shapes and strays into the fantastic, the strange, and the glorious.

What fantastical land have you always wanted to visit?*

*My answer? All of them

Emerald City, detail, by Amy Crook

Emerald City, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close-up of one of my favorite buildings in this fantastical cityscape, and a flying monkey circling overhead. Below, this city glows in its frame, the colors a brilliance that will brighten up your space.

Emerald City, framed art by Amy Crook

Emerald City, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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May Patreon Sketches

Posted on May 30th, 2017

May 2017 Patreon patron sketches by Amy Crook

May 2017 Patreon patron sketches by Amy Crook

June is just around the corner and now’s a great time to become my patron on Patreon! Here’s last month’s sketches, all of which turned out to be bookmarks for various reasons.

Roxanne asked for “Winter Soldier” and I gave her a chibi cutie. Kim wanted “mist” so I experimented with my watercolors for this beautiful, mysterious tower. Eric asked for my cat Pod as Morgana from Persona, with a special nod to his bagel-thieving ways. And finally, Jeff asked for “giving in to temptation” and has been enjoying the new Twin Peaks, so he got the inevitable donut cartoon.

What would you like to see me draw?

Categories: Completed Commissions, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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