Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Snow Angel Eames & Murder Mal

Posted on April 6th, 2017

Snow Angel Eames and Murder Mal, Inception chibi fan art by Amy Crook

Snow Angel Eames and Murder Mal, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

Have you been Incepted yet?

Eames has paused his mad rush to the center of the maze on the 3rd level of the dream to make a snow angel, because he can. And there’s murderous, lovely Mal, in her pretty dress from the first dream, hiding something a bit pointy behind her back. Watch out for that one!

Categories: People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Skeptical Saito & Hallway Arthur

Posted on April 4th, 2017

Skeptical Saito and Hallway Arthur, chibi Inception parody art by Amy Crook

Skeptical Saito and Hallway Arthur, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

I have fallen into Limbo, aka Inception fandom, and I have no regrets. Here we have Saito in his delicious tux from the first dream, and Arthur in his beautiful blue suit from the famous 0G hallway fight (pose inspired by Powerpuff Girls, of course). These were a birthday commission for a friend of a friend, and I’m very happy to have been able to not only give a gift to her, but to the fandom, for secret reasons.

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Mirage

Posted on March 8th, 2017

Mirage, abstract art in the Pathways series by Amy Crook

Mirage, 8″x10″ watercolor on Arches cover buff paper

Endless-seeming dunes give way near the top to the illusion of water. The warm buff paper breaks through the dull sparkle of yellow rust and copper. The caress of wind over sand exposes variations in shape, color and texture as a muted shine is revealed behind the amber waves.

The Pathways series is turned its side here, trading trees for earth and skies for an endless search for the horizon. The mirage adds a bright pop against the rich layers of sand and ochre and copper.

If you dream of sun and sand and sparkling water, this painting will bring a little piece of that into your everyday life.

Mirage, detail, by Amy Crook

Mirage, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sunlight catching the copper, which only appears at certain angles in amongst the sandy ochres and golds. Below, I’ve trapped the mirage behind glass, so you can safely contemplate eternity without losing yourself in the dunes.

Mirage, framed art by Amy Crook

Mirage, framed art by Amy Crook

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

Posted on March 7th, 2017

Fairytale Cottage by Amy Crook

Fairytale Cottage, 6″x6″ watercolor and gel pen on Fluid watercolor paper

Calling to mind the darker side of fairytales, this shadowy cottage lurks against a rainy sky. The brightness of white clouds and gingerbread detailing is almost unsettling in it sweetness, with everything around it muted and grey.

In a strange reversal, only the frothy white curlicues look solid, while the house and sky seem like mere shadows behind the spirals.

What’s your favorite fairytale, and which ending do you prefer?

Fairytale Cottage, detail, by Amy Crook

Fairytale Cottage, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see up close the slightly raised spirals on the buildings and the softly receding spirals of the clouds, decorating the shadowy secrets held by this confectionary cottage. Below, the frame becomes a window into a dark fairy tale world.

Fairytale Cottage, framed art by Amy Crook

Fairytale Cottage, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
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I Am Not Here to Please You

Posted on March 6th, 2017

I Am Not Here to Please You by Amy Crook for The Doubleclicks video

I Am Not Here to Please You, 12″x9″ pen & ink, Copic marker, and watercolor on Strathmore bristol for The Doubleclicks video “Women Know Math”

The Doubleclicks got 50 women and non-binary artists to illustrate their amazing video for Women Know Math, and I got to be part of it! I am absolutely in love with this song, the video, and everything it has to say.

Although they licensed the art for this specific use, the original is up for grabs in all its cat-filled glory. A rare self-portrait by the artist, with special guest appearances by Podsworth and Belladonna, this drawing bursts out of its boundaries with glorious movement and joy.

I Am Not Here to Please You, detail, by Amy Crook

I Am Not Here to Please You, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, there is possibly the most accurate drawing I’ve ever made of Belladonna, and some pj pants I only wish I owned. Below, you can see this drawing framed, including the very faint pencil reminder up in the top portion with the text I was meant to using.

I Am Not Here to Please You, framed art by Amy Crook

I Am Not Here to Please You, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Completed Commissions, Floating Gallery, People, Figures and Faces, Pretty Words, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Gilded Sunset

Posted on March 3rd, 2017

Gilded Sunset, city skyline watercolor by Amy Crook

Gilded Sunset, 8″x8″ watercolor on Arches watercolor paper

This stunning painting would add a bright pop of warmth to any space. Rosy metallic gold sparkles off the shadowy buildings, backed by a brilliant sunset in reds, oranges, and pinks. You have to see this one in person to really appreciate its beauty.

Limned in light, this city skyline frames the red sun perfectly, hazy clouds making the sky above seem endless as it fades from gold to red. The sun itself is a glowing red sinking toward the horizon, just about the vanish for the night. A flock of birds floats above it all, circling in the sultry sunset.

Gilded Sunset, detail, by Amy Crook

Gilded Sunset, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the beautiful metallic watercolor shining up close, the warm rose gold a perfect complement to the brilliant sunset. Below, the painting is framed and waiting for just the right wall – is it yours?

Gilded Sunset, framed art by Amy Crook

Gilded Sunset, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Growth 8

Posted on March 2nd, 2017

Growth 8, abstract art by Amy Crook

Growth 8, 5″x5″ watercolor on Arches cover buff paper

Photos don’t really do this understated painting justice. Its meditative qualities combine with a decorative feel from the bright gold border, and the depth and texture of the bronzite in the central circle.

Liminality and exploration work together in the Growth series, the core of the piece always showing some fundamental change as it sends itself outward into the surrounding space.

Growth and change are a part of every life, and art can be a beautiful, subtle reminder to welcome it.

Growth 8, detail, by Amy Crook

Growth 8, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the glimmer of real bronzite mineral next to the bright shine of golden watercolor. Below, a black frame brings out the warmth of this beautiful abstract painting.

Growth 8, framed art by Amy Crook

Growth 8, framed art by Amy Crook

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