Archive for the ‘Sea Creatures and Other Animals’ Category

Mod Bird

Thursday, December 3rd, 2015

Mod Bird by Amy Crook

Mod Bird by Amy Crook

This adorably stylized bird was an experiment in water solubility — although the ink is in no way waterproof, I loved the result anyway!

I’m reminded of childhood, the Partridge Family logo and the patterns one might find on things in the ’70s, or lingering from the ’60s. The teal and apple green inks are softened to watercolor-like texture, except in the eye, where there’s a tiny bit of gold lurking in the depths.

Mod Bird, 7″x5″ pen & ink and ink wash on paper.

Mod Bird, detail, by Amy Crook

Mod Bird, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the tiny spirals in his lovely blue breast, gently blurred by the water blush into a pattern that looks pettably soft. Below, the bird is caged in its frame, waiting to decorate your hep pad.

Mod Bird, framed art by Amy Crook

Mod Bird, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Whimsical and Strange
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Twilight Bat

Friday, November 6th, 2015

Twilight Bat by Amy Crook

Twilight Bat by Amy Crook

This bat is so cute and fluffy, you just want to hug her to bits! Her lovely wings contain a mix of two fancy inks with a bit of gold sparkle in their depths, adding a beautiful sheen to the adorableness. It’s as if she went flying through some pollen, and it only stuck to her wings and ears.

The background is still faintly scented of violets from the ink used to create the twilight she’s flying through, but it’s fading pretty fast. The apartment smelled like a packet of Choward’s violet pastilles for awhile there, though.

Where do you need to be a bit batty in your life?

Twilight Bat, 6″x4″ pen & ink and ink wash on Fluid watercolor paper.

Twilight Bat, detail by Amy Crook

Twilight Bat, detail by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the shimmer of gold dust from the special edition ink in the bat’s wings. Below, you can see him in a frame, just waiting to fly to a new roost.

Twilight Bat, framed art by Amy Crook

Twilight Bat, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
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Midnight Raven

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

Midnight Raven by Amy Crook

Midnight Raven by Amy Crook

A mysterious raven sits atop a black branch, its feathers containing colors within their inky darkness. A moon silhouettes the scene, full and round and bright behind the bird. The sky is a deep midnight, dotted with silver stars.

Inktober started as a fun way to get myself playing with some new media, but it turned into a month of beautiful new art.

A group of ravens is an unkindness, but what do you call just one?

Midnight Raven, 6″x6″ pen & ink, ink wash, and metallic watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Midnight Raven, detail, by Amy Crook

Midnight Raven, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the shine of gold in the ink of the raven’s feathers, and the gleam of silver in the stars. Below, the raven has taken a temporary perch in a frame.

Midnight Raven, framed art by Amy Crook

Midnight Raven, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
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Bees

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

Bees by Amy Crook

Bees by Amy Crook

Hexagons the beautiful amber of good honey and brush-painted bees make a gorgeous composition in this ink art.

Bees are awesome, and these beauties are a delightfully illustrative example of their type. This richly colored art would add a wonderful warmth to any room.

Bees, 6″x6″ pen & ink and ink wash on Fluid watercolor paper.

Bees, detail, by Amy Crook

Bees, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close-up of the lower right bee, just buzzing their way through life. Below, the bees are in a temporary frame, just waiting to move into their permanent hive.

Bees, framed art by Amy Crook

Bees, framed art by Amy Crook

BEEEEEEEEEEEES

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Whimsical and Strange
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Octopus Ink

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

Octopus Ink by Amy Crook

Octopus Ink by Amy Crook

Emerald of Chivor. Poussiere de Lune. Gris Nuage. These beautiful inks have intriguing names that just ask to be brought out of their bottles and onto the page.

This octopus looks like he’s reciting something equally eloquent, perhaps a Shakespearean soliloquy or Poe poem. He’s drifting through the brilliant blue waters, thinking deep thoughts.

Or craving fish.

One of those.

Octopus Ink, 8″x8″ ink wash on Fluid watercolor paper.

Octopus Ink, detail, by Amy Crook

Octopus Ink, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the rich interplay of colors, and the pop of gold in the octopus’ eye. Below, he’s hanging out in a frame, waiting to swim to his new home.

Octopus Ink, framed art by Amy Crook

Octopus Ink, framed art by Amy Crook

Alas, poor Nemo! I knew him, Doratio.

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles
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Goldfish 2

Monday, October 12th, 2015

Goldfish 2 by Amy Crook

Goldfish 2 by Amy Crook

I posted this goldfish as a work in progress on Instagram, and through the magic of the internets I turned him into plot bunnies! He’s heading out tomorrow to his new home, and in return I have a whole rainbow of rabbits to keep me company during NaNoWriMo.

Goldfish 2, 7″x5″ watercolor and duochrome watercolor on paper.

Plot bunnies by Ann Tudor LLC

Plot bunnies by Ann Tudor LLC

Categories: Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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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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