Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Allons-y

Posted on March 11th, 2015

Allons-y, a Doctor Who comic by Amy Crook

Allons-y, a Doctor Who comic by Amy Crook

A delightfully detailed Doctor is demonstrating his determination! He’s grateful, sure, but there’s still things to do, so he says, “Yes, yes, Thank you. Now, Allons-y!” From the pinstripes on his suit to the whoosh of his coat, the tenth Doctor is all drawn up, just waiting to hurry you along, or express your gratitude to someone who deserves it.

Allons-y, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Doctor Who thank you card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Doctor Who thank you card 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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Glass Fish

Posted on March 5th, 2015

Glass Fish by Amy Crook

Glass Fish by Amy Crook

This translucent fishy is swimming in a lovely blue-green bowl, fins fanned out like tattered silk. There’s just a hint of scales along his body, and his big black eyes and grumpy mouth make him adorable as well as elegant.

His body is a rich, bright orange with hints of red and gold, but you can see the water through the transparent paint.

He’s a bit like a painting of a glass sculpture of a fish. Very meta.

Glass Fish, 7″x5″ watercolor on paper.

Glass Fish, detail, by Amy Crook

Glass Fish, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the elegant sweep of his transparent tail. Below, he’s nestled in a frame, swimming happily in the tiny space. Unlike real fish, paintings don’t need big tanks.

Glass Fish, framed art by Amy Crook

Glass Fish, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
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Smoke 2

Posted on March 4th, 2015

Smoke 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

Smoke 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

An obvious sequel to the painting above, Smoke 2 has more variation in both line and colour. I used a different paint, one that’s a mix of greens, and varied the technique as well.

Where the first painting is full of roiling clouds, this smoke drifts up in lazy lines. It reminds me more of an altar with thin sticks of incense burning at different rates, each one sending up its own cloud of colour and scent.

I don’t smoke myself*, but I always did love incense and candles, and the different strange shapes that occur when two insubstantial elements interact, air and smoke dancing together to create something ephemeral and beautiful.

*no, not that, either

Smoke 2, 4″x6″ watercolor on paper.

Smoke 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Smoke 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the variation in colour from blue-green to forest green to olive, dissolving in wisps that are just barely visible on the thick, creamy paper. Below, the piece is in a frame, small and unassuming, but perfect to bring a little beauty and peace into an otherwise drab space.

Smoke 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Smoke 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Smoke 1

Posted on March 3rd, 2015

Smoke 1, abstract watercolor by Amy Crook

Smoke 1, abstract watercolor by Amy Crook

Thick black smoke dissipates into fanciful curls and clouds, diffused by the draughts of invisible air.

This abstract painting is an exploration of subtle detail, a mix of the deliberate and random. The paint is blue-black, and little hints of blue show up here and there among the shades of grey.

As peaceful as watching incense burn, this frozen moment won’t make anyone sneeze or set off the fire alarm. It would make a wonderful meditation focus, each tiny facet a point of consideration.

Smoke 1, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper.

Smoke 1, detail, by Amy Crook

Smoke 1, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see some of the drifts and swirls up close, showing variations in the grey from blue to violet. Below, you can see the smoke trapped in a frame, forever frozen to the eye.

Smoke 1, framed art by Amy Crook

Smoke 1, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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You’re Not Planning to Wear This, Are You?

Posted on March 2nd, 2015

You're Not Planning to Wear This, Are You? by Amy Crook

You’re Not Planning to Wear This, Are You? by Amy Crook

This dark-eyed beauty is just making sure that you weren’t going to actually try to wear the garment she’s laying on. Or, if you were, that it has the requisite quantity of cat hair on it.

This loose watercolor captures the regal essence of a cat determined to be queen of the world without regard for what the staff thinks. The soft tortoiseshell coloring contrasts beautifully with the turquoise garment, and there’s a touch of pale blue in the background that’s hard to see in reproductions.

You’re Not Planning to Wear This, Are You?, 6″x4″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

You're Not Planning to Wear This, Are You?, detail, by Amy Crook

You’re Not Planning to Wear This, Are You?, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the loose brushstrokes and intense, black-lined green eyes of this gorgeous creature. Below, she’s chilling in a frame, pleased to be displayed as she deserves.

You're Not Planning to Wear This, Are You?, framed art by Amy Crook

You’re Not Planning to Wear This, Are You?, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Core Freedom

Posted on February 23rd, 2015

Core Freedom by Amy Crook for Jo Van Every

Core Freedom by Amy Crook for Jo Van Every

Another commission done, this one a new addition to my Horizons series. This one is entirely watercolour, even the raptor circling above in the clear blue sky. Jo had this to say about her newest acquisition:

Since moving out to a rural area and acquiring dogs, I walk through woods and fields daily. I’ve been paying attention to subtle differences in colour as the seasons change. I can identify several tree species by shape in winter. I am more aware of the subtle differences in bark colour and leaf colour, especially in spring. I also notice the change in the colour of the sky depending on season and humidity. Amy’s paintings of bare trees and crows resonate with this landscape that I observe daily. She painted another painting of autumn trees with a moodier, cloudy sky. While I liked that one, the orange leaves against a blue sky speaks to me much more clearly and Amy was happy to paint one just for me.

Core Freedom, 8″x4″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Categories: Completed Commissions, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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Navy Squid

Posted on February 18th, 2015

Navy Squid, commissioned art by Amy Crook, all rights reserved

Navy Squid, commissioned art by Amy Crook, all rights reserved

This commission was a Christmas gift, it’s just taken me a while to get it into the schedule with all the other madness going on.

The giftee for this was formerly in the Navy, and is a fan of two of Boston’s sports teams, so we incorporated both those ideas into his cheerful blue tentacularness*. He’s either doffing or straightening his cover, which is at a bit of a jaunty angle for a proper naval serviceman. Or servicesquid.

Navy Squid, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

*tentacularness is totally a word

Categories: Completed Commissions, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles
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