Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

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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Smug Bond & Exasperated Q

Posted on May 25th, 2017

Smug Bond & Exasperated Q, chibi emoji by Amy Crook

Smug Bond & Exasperated Q, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

Last month, I put out a limited number of spots for chibi emoji commissions on my tumblr, and this is the second pair! James Bond, notorious 007, is very smug about something. Something that’s got Q frowning and scolding him, so basically, business as usual.

These are drawn as close to a square aspect ratio as possible, so that they work as emoji on Slack. Their adorable 2-head-high chibi style conveys a lot of personality in a tiny space.

Smug Bond emoji by Amy Crook Exasperated Q emoji by Amy Crook

Categories: Card Design, Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Arthur Facepalm & Smug Eames

Posted on May 23rd, 2017

Arthur Facepalm & Smug Eames, chibi emoji by Amy Crook

Arthur Facepalm & Smug Eames, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

Last month, I put out a limited number of spots for chibi emoji commissions on my tumblr, and this is the first pair! Arthur from Inception is facepalming over something, about which Eames is inordinately proud.

These are drawn as close to a square aspect ratio as possible, so that they work as emoji on Slack. Their adorable 2-head-high chibi style conveys a lot of personality in a tiny space.

Arthur Facepalm emoji by Amy Crook Smug Eames emoji by Amy Crook

Categories: Card Design, Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Art Prints are Heeeere!

Posted on May 18th, 2017

fine art prints by Amy Crook at Etsy

fine art prints by Amy Crook at Etsy

If you’ve been wanting my art, but haven’t got the budget for an original, I have good news!

After much trial and deliberation (and surgery/recovery), nine art prints are here to launch the new line! Five of them are on spiffing metallic pearl paper, and the other four are on a beautiful bright white archival stock. They’re all 8″x10″ (a standard frame size for easy display), and you can get yours for $49 plus shipping.

If these do well, I’ll bring in more designs and even other sizes! So don’t delay, get your gorgeous new art print today.

Categories: Words Words Words
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Uncertain Boundaries 2

Posted on May 8th, 2017

Uncertain Boundaries 2, abstract map art by Amy Crook

Uncertain Boundaries 2, 10″x8″ pen & ink and watercolor on Arches cover buff paper

Layers of boundaries obscured but not always obliterated by the shapes that form atop them. A world that is always shifting, changing, adapting to the forces that make and move borders. A history hiding in the blend of color, the sparkle of truths that won’t stay buried.

Uncertain Boundaries 2 is another Map piece, mixed media artworks that create imaginary places and invite the viewer to explore them.

What history do you think has happened here?

Uncertain Boundaries 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Uncertain Boundaries 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the half-obliterated history of these strange countries, lines still there in memory but outweighed by the present. Below, this piece is in a frame, waiting to add some mystery to your walls.

Uncertain Boundaries 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Uncertain Boundaries 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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