Archive for the ‘Abstract and Just Plain Weird’ Category

Night Snow

Saturday, November 2nd, 2019

abstract art of white ink on black paper depicting a flurry of fat snowflakes by Amy Crook

Night Snow, 6″x4″ ink on Arches cover black paper

The last time I saw snow was a freak storm when I was visiting family last year, but the flakes were just like this, fat and fluffy and white against the darkening sky. There’s a very specific kind of snow that looks this way when it’s falling, and is perfect for snowball fights, snowmen, and going inside afterward to drink cocoa.

The white here is ink rather than paint, and its random-seeming spatter has just enough of a direction to it that you can imagine the wind softly blowing the flakes off their course.

Perfect for a winter soul all year round, or as an elegant decoration that’s more seasonal than holiday-related.

Night Snow, detail, by Amy Crook

Night Snow, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the soft-edged layers of snowflakes, a few so close and big you could almost catch them on a mitten. Below, I’ve trapped this moment in a frame, just waiting to bring a bit of winter wonderland to you!

Night Snow, framed art by Amy Crook

Night Snow, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Whimsical and Strange
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Inktober 2019, week 1 plus

Friday, October 11th, 2019

Normally I do these on Mondays, but I was out of town and then there was some kind of power shutoff madness (mine was supposed to go but did not? whatever, PG&E, you run your public utility like the Muppet Show.) So, anyway, here you go, week one-and-then-some of Inktober!

an ink drawing of mushrooms in a fairy ring by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 1: Ring, 7″x5″ pen and ink on paper

an ink wash drawing of tentacles in a mirror by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 2: Mindless, 5″x7″ pen & ink and ink wash on paper

an ink wash drawing of a monster under ice using a hockey puck as bait by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 3: Bait, 3.5″x2.5″ pen & ink, glitter gel pen, and ink wash on ACEO bristol, nfs

an ink drawing of Tony Stark with brain freeze by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 4: Freeze, 3″x3″ pen and ink on paper, wip

an ink painting of a building in 4 stages being built by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 5: Build, ink wash on paper bookmark, sold

an ink drawing of Cthulhu by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 6: Husky, 7″x5″ pen and ink on paper, wip

an ink wash of a tree with a distressed face next to a basket by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 7: Enchanted, 5″x7″ ink wash on paper

an ink drawing of a sapling with a single apple and three leaves by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 8: Frail, pen and ink on a bookmark, wip

an ink drawing of a pendant swinging by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 9: Swing, 7″x5″ pen and ink on paper, wip

a series of repeated patterns in ink on an ACEO by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 10: Pattern, 3.5″x2.5″ brush and ink on ACEO card, nfs

an abstract painting in ink on black paper of snow falling by Amy Crook

Inktober 2019 day 11: Snow, 6″x4″ white ink on black paper

Abbreviation decoder ring!

  • wip = work in progress, ie, I’m probably going to color some or all of the drawing before it’s really done
  • nfs = not for sale, ie, it’s a Patreon sketch and already belongs to someone else
  • ACEO = Artist Card, Edition Original, also known as ATC or Artist Trading Card when traded rather than sold, which is a standard size I use for all my Patreon sketches these days

Want to get your own sketches, dibs on art, or just feel the warm glow of being part of my community of supporters? Head over to Patreon and pick a tier to get started! There’s also bonus cat photos sometimes, if that helps.

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Completed Commissions, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Tentacles, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Concentric 7

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019

Concentric 7 by Amy Crook, abstract art of a swirling green background and floating golden dots

Concentric 7, 12″x9″ watercolor on paper

It was an especially difficult month for photography, with black paper, strange colors, and all kinds of shinies.

This addition to my Concentric series is a beautiful mix of greens and golds, with the dots themselves a special effects paint that switches from pale green to bright gold depending on the angle of the light and the exact mix of ingredients.

The slightly-raised dots feel like fireflies, galaxies, eyes, or petals floating on a green pond. It would make a peaceful addition to any room, adding a touch of sparkle.

Concentric 7, detail, by Amy Crook

Concentric 7, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see those golden dots catching the light, turning different colors depending on the mix of the unusual interference paint. Below, this large piece is in a temporary frame, soon to fly to its new home.

Concentric 7, framed art by Amy Crook

Concentric 7, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2

Thursday, September 12th, 2019

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, by Amy Crook, abstract art featuring the Winter Soldier's metal plates and red star

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The first version of this painting was lost in a tragic house fire. All the humans made it out safe, but the house was a total loss.

And thus we have a second take! Like a dance remix, but with more murder. Some things can never be replaced, and this piece isn’t exactly like its predecessor, but then again, Bucky goes through a lot of changes, too.

I’ve got the Original Six Avengers all done now, plus Bucky. We’ll see who inspires me next!

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, detail, by Amy Crook

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the star up close, the darker bullet hole in the middle surrounded by thickly painted red. Below, it’s in a frame, waiting for the recipient to find a new home for it to live in.

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, framed art by Amy Crook

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Completed Commissions, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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The Most Venomous Feminist

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

The Most Venomous Feminist by Amy Crook, abstract watercolor of a red hourglass on black paper in spattered blood-red paint

The Most Venomous Feminist, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The title for Black Widow’s abstract comes from an Ice T song, “Big Gun,” which in turn is from Tank Girl. Badass superheroes all around!

The background on this one has some very subtle texture and sparkle to it, much like the weave of Natasha’s uniform. The iconic logo has been splattered in with a rather bloody red, a little messy but still the unmistakeable warning of the red hourglass.

This piece would make an excellent statement that your favorite Avenger takes no crap from anyone, and neither do you.

The Most Venomous Feminist, detail, by Amy Crook

The Most Venomous Feminist, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the slightly glossy blood red in all is layered, drippy glory. Below, the painting is in a frame, ready to creep into its new home.

The Most Venomous Feminist, framed art by Amy Crook

The Most Venomous Feminist, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Hammer of the Gods

Sunday, September 8th, 2019

Hammer of the Gods by Amy Crook, an abstract watercolor of shiny lightning against blue stormclouds

Hammer of the Gods, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper

Thor’s third movie really changed things for him as a character, and this art calls up the cinematic moment when he and his lightning come crashing down on his enemies to the tune of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” — which is also the source of the title.

The spreading tendrils of lightning at the bottom all but vanish until you tilt the page to the sun, and then it all lights up just like crashing down from the heavens.

Thunder not included.

Hammer of the Gods, detail, by Amy Crook

Hammer of the Gods, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the bright shine of abstract lightning against the low-hanging clouds, forking out before it strikes the ground. Below, the power is contained in a frame, but for how long?

Hammer of the Gods, framed art by Amy Crook

Hammer of the Gods, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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It’s Not Easy Being Green

Saturday, September 7th, 2019

It’s Not Easy Being Green by Amy Crook, abstract watercolor of green bleeding into purple

It’s Not Easy Being Green, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper

And now the strongest of the original Avengers — the Hulk!

I still remember watching the Lou Ferrigno show, and seeing him in Saturday morning cartoons as well. The colors here are, again, the comics palette, because there’s a part of me that will always think of those ridiculous purple pants against painted-green skin.

This painting is, of course, titled after a Muppet’s signature song, but I think it embodies the Bruce Banner experience pretty well — it’s not easy having this issue, green bleeding into and taking over the calmer colors of everyday life.

It’s Not Easy Being Green, detail, by Amy Crook

It’s Not Easy Being Green, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close-up of the Hulk green bleeding out and subsuming the purple of Bruce Banner’s favorite pants. Below, the painting is in a frame, calm as it can be and definitely not going to break out.

It’s Not Easy Being Green, framed art by Amy Crook

It’s Not Easy Being Green, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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