Archive for the ‘Abstract and Just Plain Weird’ Category
Growth 10
Thursday, March 8th, 2018
Growth 10, 6″x6″ pen & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper
This is the first time in the Growth series that we’ve got actual growing things instead of mere seeds. The central core is a warm, inviting mix of earthy browns, and there are even green sprouts curling outward toward the universe, anchored by the rich red roots.
Have you put down roots, or are you still floating in the void, hoping to find something to nurture your growth?
Growth 10, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the red-brown roots and green sprouts, as well as the earth-brown seeds and the rich mix of watercolor that make up our growing world. Below, the painting is in its frame, and already trying to outgrow it!
Growth 10, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Series and Books
Tags: growth, nfs, pen and ink, primatek, sold, watercolor
Cracks in the System
Monday, March 5th, 2018
Cracks in the System, 5″x7″ pen & and watercolor on paper
Who and what falls through the cracks in the system, especially now that it seems like everything’s falling apart?
This piece is inspired by a friend’s cracked phone screen and the light that shines through anyway, the places where bits had dropped completely away, and the very strange sensation of running your fingers over the broken glass. It’s got seven little pops of bright gold to catch the light, to give a little hope that even when the system is cracked, some things still work.
Cracks in the System, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see two of the shining gold spaces and some of the fine linework up close. Below, the piece is in a frame, fortunately sans cracked glass.
Cracks in the System, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: gold, metallic, nfs, pen and ink, sold, watercolor
This Does Not Define You
Saturday, March 3rd, 2018
This Does Not Define You, 8″x10″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
Sometimes a movie just has a perfect moment that you want to capture — in this case the climactic scene of Moana. The girl and the goddess have a moment of understanding – whatever is done to you, you can still define yourself: you know who you are. It’s a sentiment that should be and sadly isn’t universal in our victim-blaming society, sigh.
Who do you know that needs this reminder?
This Does Not Define You, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the way the interference green shines out against the turquoise and white, with just a touch of purple to define ‘you’ differently. Below, the painting is in a frame, catching the light.
This Does Not Define You, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Pretty Words, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: interference, moana, nfs, sold, watercolor
Rainy Day
Thursday, February 8th, 2018
Rainy Day, 6″x6″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper
Much like the fleeting shine of each individual raindrop, this painting is an optical illusion in your palm. On its face it seems like a softly violet abstract, with a depth and texture like a city street in the rain.
If you turn it into the light, blue ripples appear in the puddles, the last sun of twilight reflecting off the moment the drops hit just right.
Rain is so peaceful and soothing sometimes, and this painting is like a rainy day you can pull out at any time. What are you saving it for, and for it?
Rainy Day, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the illusion appear, shining swirls and ripples of light on the wet street. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, its illusion of rain peeking through in the sun.
Rainy Day, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
Tags: interference, nfs, rain, sold, watercolor
Hoarfrost
Saturday, February 3rd, 2018
Hoarfrost, 7″x5″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper
Frost forms in the dark and cold, climbing up unseen supports to turn the world into an alien landscape. This icy black-and-white beauty has a slight sheen of copper, the hint of sunrise glinting off its shapes and surfaces.
This latest Pathways painting is a small window into a world of chill beauty — perfect for those winter babies among us who love the idea of frost all year round.
These paintings have a kind of contemplative complexity to them, for all their simple palettes and design. A moment of meditation at your fingertips.
Hoarfrost, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shine of copper mixed in with the white, like a sunrise just peeking over the horizon and reflecting off the night’s frost. Below, the painting rests in its small frame, waiting to add a little bite of winter to a bookshelf, niche, or hidden corner.
Hoarfrost, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: black and white, black paper, for sale, interference, watercolor
Negative Space 2
Thursday, December 7th, 2017
Negative Space 2, 8″x8″ watercolor on Arches cover buff paper
This painting is a love letter to imperfection, uniqueness, and letting those differences shine.
Each detail is exquisitely small, the silver paint filling in the spaces where the zen circle had voids, shining out of what had been nothingness and drawing you in.
It’s like two-dimensional kintsugi, taking what was a flaw and making it the most strikingly beautiful part of the final object.
It would be perfect to meditate on, or to serve as a reminder that where some see flaws, others see beauty.
Where would it fit in your life?
Negative Space 2, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the softness of the paper, the subtlety of the mineral color and the bright shine of silver in the places left behind. Below, the art is in a frame, just waiting to add some beauty and zen to your day.
Negative Space 2, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery
Tags: for sale, metallic, primatek, watercolor
Growth 9
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017
Growth 9, 5″x7″ ink on paper
One person who saw this said, “This looks like my soul before coffee.”
Sometimes you’ve got darkness swirling inside with the golden good bits, and you just need to send those little pieces of yourself out into the world to try to find more lightness.
This Growth painting is for everyone who has a hard time with wanting to remain invisible, even when they also want to reach out and connect.
Growth 9, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the subtle gradations of color and shadow, the play of light in the golden-flecked center. Below, this piece is contained in a frame, trying to outgrow the confines of its page.
Growth 9, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: brush and ink, for sale, growth, j herbin, pen and ink
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