Archive for the ‘Floating Gallery’ Category

Morpheus

Thursday, October 8th, 2015

Morpheus by Amy Crook

Morpheus by Amy Crook

This is the Morpheus that knew Nada in the time before, that loved and wronged her and sent her to Hell for refusing him. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you clearly need to get to a comic shop or library and start reading The Sandman.

This didn’t start out as a Sandman piece, but the face was hiding among the abstract shapes like a dream that only needs a little prodding to take proper shape in your mind. Minimal alteration brought out the eye and added in the glimmer, highlighted the nose and crying mouth, the sharp jaw, and the delicate curl of an ear. The mad curls and shocked expression were there already, just waiting to be found.

Morpheus, 10″x8″ watercolor and duochrome watercolor on Arches cover white paper, $349.

Morpheus, detail, by Amy Crook

Morpheus, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the beautiful, organic shapes hiding in the larger face of the painting. Below, Morpheus is trapped in his frame, waiting to be freed.

Morpheus, framed art by Amy Crook

Morpheus, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, People, Figures and Faces, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Peninsula

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

Peninsula by Amy Crook

Peninsula by Amy Crook

The penultimate piece in this month’s Gallery is another in my Map series. The delicate changes from paper to watercolor become stark with black ink outlining each little eddy and fjord.

Although the paint is entirely non-shiny in this one, the nature of the sharp lines makes the land mass appear limned in a pale blue light. The granulating paint has settled into mountain ridges and smaller hills, forests and plains, creating a topography that exists only between the imagination and the page.

Where will this map take you?

Peninsula, 5″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on watercolor paper.

Peninsula, detail, by Amy Crook

Peninsula, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see some of the exquisite detail created by the texture of paper and paint, and the fine lines of pen and ink creating borders around each little shape. Below, the map sits in a frame, awaiting a new adventurer.

Peninsula, framed art by Amy Crook

Peninsula, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Cuppa Calm

Monday, October 5th, 2015

Cuppa Calm by Amy Crook

Cuppa Calm by Amy Crook

This is my favourite cuppa yet! The colours are mostly mineral pigments, softly desaturated and granulating in beautiful ways. There’s a wabi-sabi quality to the cup, with its uneven glaze, that perfectly cradles the beautiful green tea.

You can imagine breathing in the steam, cradling the warmth of the cup, the texture of it against your hands. Taking another deep breath of the subtle aroma before tasting the hot tea, its flavour grassy or nutty or floral. Whatever calms you, that’s what’s waiting in this lovely, earthy cuppa.

Cuppa Calm, 7″x5″ Primatek watercolor on paper.

Cuppa Calm, detail, by Amy Crook

Cuppa Calm, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the echo of the cup’s colors in the mountain scene on the tag. Below, it waits calmly to find its perfect place in life.

Cuppa Calm, framed art by Amy Crook

Cuppa Calm, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Hummingbird at Night

Sunday, October 4th, 2015

Hummingbird at Night by Amy Crook

Hummingbird at Night by Amy Crook

This time of year there’s hummingbirds all over my neighborhood, and even showing up on my social media feeds. These inspirational little tiny jewels just beg to be captured, not in a cage, but on the page.

This painting features iridescent and duochrome paints on the black paper so everything shimmers and shines the way a real hummingbird does. The duochrome paints are really something, they change color depending on the angle of the light. Despite being a night scene, this piece sparkles charmingly in sunlight.

Hummingbird at Night, 6″x4″ duochrome and iridescent watercolor on Arches cover black paper.

Hummingbird at Night, detail, by Amy Crook

Hummingbird at Night, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sparkle in the Hummingbird’s breast and the loose brushstrokes that shape the leaves. Below, this tiny gem is nestled into a frame, waiting to brighten up your life.

Hummingbird at Night, framed art by Amy Crook

Hummingbird at Night, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
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Zombie Heart

Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

Zombie Heart, abstract art by Amy Crook

Zombie Heart, abstract art by Amy Crook

Although Zombie Heart is in keeping with the Halloween theme, there’s a gorgeous complexity to it that could live in the right home year round. The greens range from the darkest shadow around the main shape to the iridescence that floats above, shining like radioactivity.

The way the metallic greens bloom on the dark green core shape is like mold blossoming against decaying zombie flesh. The organic layers of shape and shade show an eerily beautiful side to this particular undead myth.

Are your favorite zombies created by magic, radioactivity, a virus, or some mad scientist?

Zombie Heart, 8″x10″ watercolor and duochrome watercolor on Arches cover black paper.

Zombie Heart, detail, by Amy Crook

Zombie Heart, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the mysterious swirls and shimmers giving depth and texture to the painting. Below, it’s lurking in a frame, waiting to find a permanent home, lab, or specimen shelf.

Zombie Heart, framed art by Amy Crook

Zombie Heart, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Halloween Trees 2

Friday, October 2nd, 2015

Halloween Trees 2 by Amy Crook

Halloween Trees 2 by Amy Crook

The original Halloween Trees is only a year old, but it feels very different from this sequel. The sky is softer and has more cloud shapes, and the trees are a less imposing brown rather than the starkly silhouetted black. Even the crows are different, coming in for a landing instead of taking off into the sunset.

The brilliant swath of pink behind the lightning-struck tree lets that whole bank of clouds really glow. The three trees each have their own character, slightly different patterns in their branches that make it clear even without leaves that they’re not the same species. If the crows are roosting in the middle one, one might wonder what lives in the lightning-struck tree on the left?

Halloween Trees 2, pen & ink, brush & ink, and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Halloween Trees 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Halloween Trees 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the tiny birds up close, coming in to land in the lacework of branches. Below, the piece is in a temporary frame, just waiting for its new home.

Halloween Trees 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Halloween Trees 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Murder for Christmas

Monday, September 14th, 2015

Murder for Christmas, a Sherlock parody comic by Amy Crook

Murder for Christmas, a Sherlock parody comic by Amy Crook

I’d worry for the day someone actually tries to give Sherlock a murder for Christmas (as does John), but Lestrade can only be happy that he’s jumping for joy instead of refusing to help.

If you’ve got a friend who’d appreciate a little murder for their holidays, send them a card from my Etsy shop.

Murder for Christmas, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker.

Murder for Christmas card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Murder for Christmas card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Categories: Card Design, Floating Gallery, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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