Fairytale Cottage
Posted on March 7th, 2017
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
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
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: clouds, for sale, gel pen, spirals, watercolor
I Am Not Here to Please You
Posted on March 6th, 2017
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
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
Categories: Completed Commissions, Floating Gallery, People, Figures and Faces, Pretty Words, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: belladonna, cat, commission, copic marker, for sale, pen and ink, pod, primatek, self portrait, the doubleclicks, watercolor, word art
Gilded Sunset
Posted on March 3rd, 2017
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
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
Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
Tags: city, horizons, metallic, nfs, sold, sunset, watercolor
Growth 8
Posted on March 2nd, 2017
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
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
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: gold, growth, metallic, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor
Your Artist Needs a Nap
Posted on February 21st, 2017
Yeah, kitty, I know how you feel.
I’ve been having some health issues for a while, but in the last 6 months or so it’s really affected my ability to keep myself going. I’m having surgery next month that should help, so please bear with the erratic posting and cat photos until recovery and, hopefully, something resembling wellness happens.
You Can Help!
My Support Your Artist page has ALL the links, but right now Patreon and Etsy are the most helpful. Even Tweeting out a link to your favorite birthday card or public Patreon post could help keep the internets on and the cats fed.
And in the end, isn’t it the ability to upload cat photos that matters most?
Categories: Words Words Words
Tags: info
Resist & Persist
Posted on February 15th, 2017
Resist, 6″x4″ ink wash and metallic watercolor on watercolor postcard;
She Persisted, 7″x5″ watercolor and metallic watercolor on paper
I painted these this past week to try out some of my art supplies and I think they both do a good job of what they were meant to do — defy those who wish to shut us up.
Want one of these gorgeous originals?
Normally they’d go for $199 and $249 respectively, but if you make a donation of at least $50 to NAACP, you can keep whichever one you wish.* Help them keep fighting the fight they’ve been fighting for years, email me the receipt, and I’ll get your defiance out to your doorstep.
Both of these have beautiful metallics and sheen to them that’s even more amazing in person. Take them home, donate to a good cause, and make your own resistance that much more beautiful and truthful.
*First come, first snagged. First class shipping is included via letter post, if you want fancier shipping there will be an additional charge for the exact fee.
Categories: Pretty Words
Tags: calligraphy, charity, for sale, ink wash, j herbin, metallic, watercolor
Blood Moon 8
Posted on February 8th, 2017
Blood Moon 8, 8″x8″ ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper
Continuing my tradition of painting things that don’t scan well, this new addition to the Blood Moon series has a midnight blue sky and a bright blood red moon, with a deep black tree intersecting both shapes.
The dusky night sky swirls around the blood moon, holding hints of the same red in its depths. The horizon is close enough that a tree seems to grow from the edge of the page, rising up in skeletal silhouette to make intricate black lace against the distant sky.
This painting is gorgeous in person, fascinating in its mix of rich texture and limited color palette.
Blood Moon 8, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see a much better view of the dusky blue, brilliant red, and delicately textured black of the sky, moon, and tree contrasting beautifully together. Below, you can see how elegantly this painting occupies its frame, just waiting to add its eerie light to your life.
Blood Moon 8, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
Tags: blood moon, brush and ink, for sale, horizons, moon, primatek, tree, watercolor
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