Archive for the ‘Abstract and Just Plain Weird’ Category
Near and Far
Friday, July 5th, 2019
Near and Far, 7″x5″ watercolor on black paper
It’s been a month for revisiting old ideas in new ways, and this bit of Arches cover black paper just asked to be an abstract sky. The near stars bloom with nebula-like shapes, blue-hot centers limned in shining lilac. Or perhaps it’s snowflakes in someone’s too-bright halogen headlights, fat and fluffy in the near sky and smaller specks of light in the far. Night-blooming flowers might also seem to glow in the right light, petals moving in the wind and centers fragrant with nectar and dew.
Whatever you see in this painting, it’s floating through the darkness of the everyday to light up your imagination.
Near and Far, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the blue-hot center of each near ‘star’ just barely visible with its violet halo. Below, you can see it in its frame, like a window into another galaxy.
Near and Far, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
Tags: black paper, for sale, interference, stars, watercolor
Be Curious
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
Be Curious, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper
I’m always on the lookout for short, interesting quotes to add to an Aglow painting. Sometimes the quote comes first, and sometimes the painting happens and the words wander in later, after some thought and possibly googling.
In this case, the shifting blue glows of pixies or stars or will-o-the-wisps floating up through the painting brought me to a very simple thought: be curious.
The perfect sentiment for a painting that invites exploration, with its odd details, here-and-gone glow, and a shining message in pink-purple-blue at the edge of a whirlwind of blue.
Be Curious, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shine of iridescent paint on top of the soft, complex matte of natural mineral paint. Below, the painting sits in its frame, inviting one closer, inviting curiosity.
Be Curious, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, duochrome, interference, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor
Adventure Awaits
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019
Adventure Awaits, 6″x6″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper
It’s another map to imaginary lands!
This one’s both more complex and less abstract than its predecessors. There are rivers and lakes and a lovely big bay, mountains and forests and some mysterious hills, and a whole winding mess of roads and cities as well.
I’m not sure where this is, but it’s ripe for an adventure.
Where would you start your journey?
Adventure Awaits, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close-up of a little town near a lake, and the roads going from river to lake to bay. Below, the map has been framed, a souvenir for a journey no one’s yet taken.
Adventure Awaits, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: map, nfs, pen and ink, primatek, sold, watercolor
Concentric 4
Tuesday, May 14th, 2019
Concentric 4, 6″x6″ watercolor on paper
Shining pearls of liquid color float atop a violet fog in concentric rings of blues, greens, and purples. This small abstract catches the light beautifully, fireworks blossoming in front of a cloudy twilight sky.
This addition to the Concentric series emphasizes the jewel-like quality of the metallic paints, each dot forming a shining cabochon that floats atop the dusty purple, blue, and teal of the background, which ironically is actually made of real ground minerals.
This beauty was claimed by one of my Patreon patrons the moment they saw it, so exciting!
Concentric 4, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the rich range of shining metallics like fireworks against the soft, foggy natural blues and greens. Below, the painting has taken temporary residence in a frame before it heads off to New York.
Concentric 4, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: concentric, iridescent, metallic, nfs, purple, sold, watercolor
Concentric 5
Tuesday, May 7th, 2019
Concentric 5, 6″x6″ watercolor on paper
Blues are bursting on the scene! From a shimmering emerald to a rich sapphire to a soft barely-there hint of lapis, this painting is filled with bejeweled beauty.
These are very meditative, and there’s a tiny spiral at the heart of each burst this time around to help draw in the eye and start the journey through the mandala-like shapes.
Where do you need a bit of of a calming influence in your space?
Concentric 5, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the way the bursts of color shift and shine in the light. Below, this painting looks lovely in a small black frame, just waiting to bring joy to someone’s home. Maybe yours!
Concentric 5, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: blue, concentric, for sale, iridescent, metallic, watercolor
Looking Down at the Moon
Sunday, May 5th, 2019
Looking Down at the Moon, 9″x12″ watercolor on paper
At first glance it almost seems like a reflection of moonlight on a puddle of water.
But then the moon itself, that mysterious harvest-gold disk, is free of the ripples haloing it. And it seems to float just below them, as though one has managed to stand atop the skip and gaze down upon it from a great height indeed.
Or perhaps the moon is trapped in a well like some fairy tale, waiting for someone to give her a hand in exchange for a wish.
Looking Down at the Moon, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the layered waves and ripples of color — the gold here is probably the most accurate of all the photos, though the blue is more accurate in the framed photo, below. Ah, gamut issues.
Looking Down at the Moon, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery
Tags: for sale, moon, watercolor
Let Me Dance
Saturday, May 4th, 2019
Let Me Dance, 12″x12″ watercolor on paper
Aglow is a series of abstracts with a sense of light to them, each containing a quote of some kind.
Sometimes the quote comes first, but more often the palette arrives on a whim, the painting proceeds into swirling, swooping color, and then words are the last piece of the puzzle.
This one called for a quote from a Robert Plant & Jimmy Page song, “give me peace of mind and let me dance.”
Let Me Dance, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close-up of the hand-painted lettering in all its spiky glory. Below, you can see it waiting in a frame, ready to be sent off to live on someone’s wall.
Let Me Dance, framed art by Amy Crook
PS – May the Fourth be with you!
…and also with you.
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor
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