Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Yellow Flower

Posted on September 4th, 2016

Yellow Flower, abstract art by Amy Crook

Yellow Flower, 5″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on bristol

Tiny, intricate pen-and-ink details combined with a cheerful, loose-painted yellow halo of petals make this small art the perfect thing to brighten up your space.

The middle is painted in a rusty ochre over the black ink, with the petals bursting forth like light from the solidity of the center section.

One patron described it as a Golden Snitch, with its combination of warm yellows, complex inner motifs, and airy-light outer wings.

Yellow Flower, detail, by Amy Crook

Yellow Flower, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close-up of the middle section, tiny circles nestled together and washed over with rusty ochre. Below, you can see this piece in a frame, a burst of light out of the warm center.

Yellow Flower, framed art by Amy Crook

Yellow Flower, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
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Growth 5

Posted on September 3rd, 2016

Growth 5, abstract art by Amy Crook

Growth 5, 5″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on watercolor paper

It’s a celebration of purple this month! The inner circle moves from deep violet to black etched over with the sheen of purple ink. The outer edges mix the intricate circles grouped together like fish eggs with the splash of brightly-mixed ink, purple bleeding into pink.

Like all of my Growth paintings, there is a suggestion of sending parts of the central self out into the aether, of reaching into the void despite the obstacles and finding something beautiful in it.

Where in life do you need a little bit of growth?

Growth 5, detail, by Amy Crook

Growth 5, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see how the purple ink separated into almost luminous pinks, reds, and violets, but there are some little circles left intact to hint at the structures that once were. Below, the art is in a small frame, waiting to bring unexpected beauty to a neglected corner of your home.

Growth 5, framed art by Amy Crook

Growth 5, framed art by Amy Crook

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

Posted on September 2nd, 2016

Leafy Sea Dragon by Amy Crook

Leafy Sea Dragon, 12″x9″ watercolor on Strathmore watercolor paper

The leafy seadragon is a type of sea horse, which directly inspired this gorgeous creature in all its glory.

The body is textured in watery violet scales, exploring the richness of purple from pinks to blues in the way the paint overlaps and blends. The intricate frills imitate seaweed in a gorgeous blue-green mix, and a rich rusty garnet finishes off the horns.

The best part, though, is the dragon’s attitude, as though they’re telling you like it is and won’t take any of your guff. This is not a dragon whose hoard you want to mess with!

Leafy Sea Dragon, detail, by Amy Crook

Leafy Sea Dragon, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the beautiful, watery details of both the scaled body and translucent frills. Below, this lovely large painting is in a frame, just waiting to add some elemental attitude to your space.

Leafy Sea Dragon, framed art by Amy Crook

Leafy Sea Dragon, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Whimsical and Strange
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September is Coming!

Posted on August 30th, 2016

A sneaky peek at September

Sinuous curves, splashes of color, minute textures, and a lot of purple! The Floating Gallery opens Thursday, and the preview will go out to my email list tomorrow.

Which sneak peek intrigues you the most?

Categories: Floating Gallery
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Concupiscient

Posted on August 25th, 2016

Concupiscient, word art by Amy Crook

Concupiscient: filled with sexual desire; lustful,
5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

Word art abounds! Kim asked for “concupiscient” as her Patreon patron sketch this month, and since I know she loves Lestrade I couldn’t resist giving him this naughty cameo.

Patreon patrons help pay for art supplies, cat food, and caffeine for the artist, and get great perks like sketches and wallpapers for their ongoing support. Become a patron today!

Categories: Completed Commissions, Nudes and Other Sexy Things, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Two Modes of Cat

Posted on August 23rd, 2016

Two Modes of Cat: Rambunctious Fuckery and Rest, cat sketches by Amy Crook

Two Modes of Cat: Rambunctious Fuckery (bottom) and Rest (top),
brush pen sketches on bookmarks with brush and ink embellishment

I actually have four Patreon patron sketches to do this month, but the first two went together so well I did them as a set. I feel like this is part of an endless cycle, play, sleep, play, sleep, with food taking up some space in there as well.

The top one is drawn with my trusty ink-filled water brush, and the bottom uses another brush pen, plus some diluted amber ink for the embellishments, and a few red dots to amuse myself (and the cats).

Categories: Completed Commissions, Pretty Words, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Whimsical and Strange
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Persnickety

Posted on August 16th, 2016

Persnickety, word art by Amy Crook

Persnickety: placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy,
7″x5″ pen & ink, brush & ink, and pencil on paper

Word Art Wednesday is back after its short break! This was a request from one of my patient Patreon patrons, and I couldn’t resist the urge to get fussy with the drop cap.

What are you persnickety about?

Categories: Pretty Words
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