Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Four for a Boy

Posted on February 6th, 2017

Four for a Boy, atmospheric art by Amy Crook

Four for a Boy, 6″x6″ Primatek watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

Mist obscures everything in this painting but the outline of a gnarled, drooping tree, branches bare in winter with just the tiniest hint of buds at their ends. Four black birds approach through the fog, and a figure all but dissolves into mist himself.

Is it foggier than it looks, or is the figure merely a trick of the eye?

This fourth installment of Counting Crows would make a lovely, creepy addition to your home, something to contemplate when the sun has burned away the mists of the day.

Four for a Boy, detail, by Amy Crook

Four for a Boy, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the eerie figure staring out from the mists, surrounded by the tree’s bare branches. Below, the piece is safely in a frame, just waiting to find the right house to haunt.

Four for a Boy, detail, by Amy Crook

Four for a Boy, detail, by Amy Crook

Categories: 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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Make Do

Posted on February 4th, 2017

Make Do, word art by Amy Crook

Make Do, 8″x8″ ink on Fluid watercolor paper

Make what you have
Do what you need

This gorgeous word art mixes rich rose, vivid violet, and luscious lavender inks. The brilliant colors and motivational message would bring brightness to any studio, office, or home.

Whenever you’re frustrated by not having the just-right tools or supplies, you can look at this lovely ink art and remind yourself to make do.

Make Do, detail, by Amy Crook

Make Do, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the edges of vivid purple and dusky blue on the big splashing word art framing the loose calligraphy of the main aphorism. Below, this bright word art is in a big frame, ready to cheer up any space with its inspiring message.

Make Do, framed art by Amy Crook

Make Do, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Pretty Words
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Wrack and Ruin

Posted on February 3rd, 2017

Wrack and Ruin, abstract art by Amy Crook

Wrack and Ruin, 6″x6″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

Ending the week on a sombre note, this abstract art shows dark clouds on every side, closing in on the spot of brightness in the center.

There’s rich rust and stormy blue, the purple of a bruise and the blunted red of bloodstone. A storm of woes surrounds the last little glimpses of white.

But a stronger brightness surrounds the whole piece in a border of untouched paper — a reminder that even though one light might be snuffed out, there is always more come the dawn.

Wrack and Ruin, detail, by Amy Crook

Wrack and Ruin, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see that tiny bright spot and some of the cloudy ruin coming for it, including one of my favorite little details in rusty orange. Below, you can see this small painting in a frame, waiting to find a new home.

Wrack and Ruin, framed art by Amy Crook

Wrack and Ruin, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery
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Le Chat Gris

Posted on February 2nd, 2017

Le Chat Gris, animal art by Amy Crook

Le Chat Gris, 8″x8″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper

A third Animal Spirit joins the fox and bunny with this lovely cat.

There’s a saying that all cats are grey in the dark, and this beautiful moggy glows pearly white and grey in the light of a golden harvest moon. The gold is reflected in the cat’s eyes, which hold a little of their own shine.

Bring beauty and whimsy into your home and adopt this grey kitty — you’ll never have to feed it!

Le Chat Gris, detail, by Amy Crook

Le Chat Gris, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can really see the sunlight hitting the pearlescent white of the cat’s intricate patterning. Below, they’re elegantly framed and just waiting for the right wall, shelf, or nook.

Le Chat Gris, framed art by Amy Crook

Le Chat Gris, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Tea for Q

Posted on January 20th, 2017

Tea for Q, parody James Bond art by Amy Crook

Tea for Q, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

Q is working on his much-stickered, tape-repaired laptop and giving a little smile to Bond, who is bringing him tea in his favorite Scrabble mug. It comes with a bit of extra sweetness in the form of a kiss on Q’s mussed hair.

A perfect Valentine for the nerdy tea-lover in your life, or just to add a bit of love to your life.

00Q Valentine by Amy Crook on Etsy

00Q Valentine by Amy Crook on Etsy

Categories: Card Design, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Everything is Arthur and Eames

Posted on January 17th, 2017

Everything is Arthur and Eames, Inception parody art by Amy Crook

Everything is Arthur and Eames, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

I admit it, I have been converted. Inception fandom is the best fandom. Everyone in it so far has been kind and supportive! And I can’t seem to keep from drawing Arthur and Eames being totally adorable.

Originally drawn for a fandom thing, this sweetness is also available as a Valentine, because it really had to be.

Inception Valentine by Amy Crook on Etsy

Inception Valentine by Amy Crook on Etsy

Categories: Card Design, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Advent Art Sale!

Posted on January 12th, 2017

it's a sale!

Did you enjoy last month’s daily art? Want to take your favorite home with you?

  • Peruse the whole month’s worth of art here.
  • Prices are on the posts. All art is 5.5″x8.5″, or half of a US Letter size page, on archival white cardstock with embossed detailing.
  • Email me and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice if the art’s still available. First come, first dibs!
  • Yay art! First class letter post is free, but upgrades are available for a fee.

Thank you for all your support! Let’s hope 2017 is a much better year for everyone — start by making it beautiful.

And helping to pay for my cats’ vet bills. Expensive little jerks.

Categories: Sale Post
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