Archive for the ‘Daily Art’ Category

Brass Gates to Midnight

Friday, September 7th, 2012

Brass Gates to Midnight, watercolor by Amy Crook

Brass Gates to Midnight, watercolor by Amy Crook

Swirls of brass run through the range from the brown of oxidization to the bright gold of fresh polish on this half of a pair of gates, the other open and swung out of sight, inviting us through to the sliver of midnight forest we can see behind it. Astute eyes will pick out the shapes of starlit evergreens in the darker black, along with the little secret hanging out amidst the curls of brass. This one is, to me, as much of a fairytale as Monday’s art, an invitation into the lands of imagination that’s always open.

Brass Gates to Midnight, 5″x5″ Japanese watercolor on Arches cover black paper.

Brass Gates to Midnight, detail, by Amy Crook

Brass Gates to Midnight, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, the gold paint shines in the sunlight, and the silver stars glow up above. If you click on the image to see it larger, you can even get a good view of the little green-haired fairy lad chilling amongst the curls of brass. Below, it’s hanging out on a wall with my collection of duckies, and a ruler since my iPhone wasn’t feeling tall enough for the task.

Brass Gates to Midnight, framed art by Amy Crook

Brass Gates to Midnight, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
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H is for Heraldry

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

H is for Heraldry, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

H is for Heraldry, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

I have to admit, when deciding on the colors and symbols for this letter with the help of Google, I also enlisted certain fannish friends. That’s how I ended up with Hedgehog Rampant and Otter Rampant as the creatures, making the H secret fan art on top of everything else.

The symbology of the elements of this particular shield are, at least according to Google and artistic intention (which I’m given to understand the latter is more important, anyway):

  • Gold/Yellow (Or): generosity
  • Blue (Azure): strength, loyalty
  • Black (Sable): constancy, grief
  • Chevron on the shield: protection, faithful service
  • Otter: one who lives life to the fullest
  • Hedgehog: provident provider
  • Arrows: military readiness
  • Holly: truth

H is for Heraldry, 5″x5″ mixed media on paper, nfs (sold). If you’d like an H of your own, you can find out how to commission one here.

H is for Heraldry, detail, by Amy Crook

H is for Heraldry, detail, by Amy Crook

Although the glitter looks a bit anemic in the scan, when it catches the light it’s really a lovely bright gold with a nice layer of golden yellow beneath it to add richness. Below, you can see how it looks framed and hanging out on my bookshelf with a little sneak preview of next week’s letter. (HI!)

H is for Heraldry & I is for Impressionism, framed art by Amy Crook

H is for Heraldry & I is for Impressionism, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Octopus’ Gift

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Octopus' Gift cartoon by Amy Crook

Octopus’ Gift cartoon by Amy Crook

This happy little cephalopod is positively pleased to bring back Tentacle Tuesday for you! He’s got a little gift for you, though you might have to wait to find out what’s inside. Right now his box is actually white — the red was added with Photoshop. I keep thinking I should color him properly, perhaps blue with a nice warm golden ribbon.

He’s going to go on his own little greeting card at Etsy, too, and maybe even some gift tags.

Octopus’ Gift, 5″ x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles
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Fairytale Sky 2

Monday, September 3rd, 2012

Fairytale Sky 2 by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky 2 by Amy Crook

I liked the larger Fairytale Sky from a couple of weeks ago so much that I decided to try a smaller version with a slightly different focus. This one’s got clouds made of mysterious iridescent blue, with stars in silver and purple, and the moon itself done in a mix of silver and white with the dark side painted in in a slightly deeper black than the paper. I really like how the whole thing came out, dreamy and welcoming with just a hint of otherworldly mystery and shine.

Fairytale Sky, 6″x4″ iridescent watercolor on Arches cover black paper, nfs.

Fairytale Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Above you can see the art piece with my phone, even smaller than my usual and fitting neatly into its frame like a tiny window peeking out onto the night sky of some fairytale.

Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
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Flying Eyeball sketch

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Flying Eyeball sketch by Amy Crook

Flying Eyeball sketch by Amy Crook

Another batch of Cthulhu Coloring Books have mysteriously acquired sketches in their front covers, and here’s the first of several. I particularly like the way the goo is sliding down off the surface of the eyeball, as though it’s just risen up out of a vat of its brethren, ready to do its master’s bidding.

…maybe that’s just me.

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art
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Sherlock Discovers Bubble Tea

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

Sherlock Discovers Bubble Tea comic by Amy Crook

Sherlock Discovers Bubble Tea comic by Amy Crook

Poor Mycroft.

Boba really does make the best spitballs ever, though. At least it was just one?

Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Hello City

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Hello City watercolor landscape by Amy Crook

Hello City watercolor by Amy Crook

This one’s a bit of an amalgamation of Insomnia City and Seven for a Secret, with the seven crows spiralling up into the endless sky above the funky city. The seventh crow up at the top is dim and distant, barely seen against the vast blue. The city itself is a purplish grey-black with a soft warm yellow glow. This piece would fit nicely into an 8″x10″ frame on a desk, cubicle wall, or in amongst the other art and photos in your home, don’t you think?

Hello City, 4″x8″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Hello City, detail, by Amy Crook

Hello City, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the crows fading upward into the bright blue sky, growing harder to see as they become more distant. Below, I’ve temporarily tucked this piece into a frame to show you scale.

Hello City, framed art by Amy Crook

Hello City, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
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