Archive for the ‘Series and Books’ Category

Jack Frost

Friday, January 8th, 2016

Jack Frost by Amy Crook

Jack Frost, 10″x8″ watercolor and interference watercolor on Arches cover black paper

Most of the paint on this lovely black paper is white, but mixed in there’s just a little bit of interference blue. When it’s in normal light, the blue just looks white like the rest, but in sunlight or strong indoor light it adds a sparkle to this piece that makes it really magical.

Just like winter, it’s something lovely and stark that holds hidden depths of color and light.

And with the weather we’ve got out here in SF, Jack Frost might even pay me a visit this year — brr!

Jack Frost, detail, by Amy Crook

Jack Frost, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a little bit of the sparkle peeking out of the chilly frost. Below, you can see the painting in a temporary frame, like a window on a cold winter’s night.

Jack frost, framed art by Amy Crook

Jack frost, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Ghost Trees

Thursday, January 7th, 2016

Ghost Tree by Amy Crook

Ghost Tree, 6″x4″ ink wash on Fluid watercolor paper

Everything about this ink wash is understated, soft, and ghostly. The pale sky just as the sunset fades into the gloaming. The shadowy tree like a ghost against the ink-streaked clouds. The birds flitting past like memories, barely there in the distance.

The first hints of night haunt the top of the page, washing away the color as the evening threatens to fall, dropping its curtain over those last washes of pink and violet and gold still lurking in the soft clouds.

Ghost Tree, detail, by Amy Crook

Ghost Tree, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the ghostly little ink wash birds swooping through the pale, fading daylight. Below, the tree sits in a frame, ready to haunt its new home.

Ghost Tree, framed art by Amy Crook

Ghost Tree, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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Cuppa Cheer

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Cuppa Cheer by Amy Crook

Cuppa Cheer, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper

If you’re on my (admittedly tiny) holiday card list, you’ve already seen this art! I haven’t yet put the gold paint on this image for scanning reasons, but I’d be happy to gild the cup’s golden edges for you if you want some extra sparkle for your home.

This painting would add some cheer to any Christmas-celebrating home. Put it in a frame and pull it out at the holidays every year to celebrate both the season and the value of a good cuppa tea.

What kind of tea do you like best?

Cuppa Cheer, detail, by Amy Crook

Cuppa Cheer, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the holly decorating the teabag tag on this cheerful cuppa. Below, it’s sitting in a plain frame, though one could easily find a beautiful holiday holder for future display.

Cuppa Cheer, framed art by Amy Crook

Cuppa Cheer, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Distance 2

Friday, December 4th, 2015

Distance 2 by Amy Crook

Distance 2 by Amy Crook

Misty hills ascend into the distance, where a single gold light shines out of a structure atop the farthest reaches.

The night descends in beautiful teal, just a few stars starting to peek out through the twilight.

What draws your imagination out wandering?

Distance 2, 4″x6″ ink wash on watercolor paper.

Distance 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Distance 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the detailed texture of ink and paper, and the tiny pinpoint of golden light beckoning you to the summit. Below, the piece is in a frame like the view out of a tall window, waiting to bring some peace to your hectic desk.

Distance, framed art by Amy Crook

Distance, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Blood Moon 6

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015

Blood Moon 6 by Amy Crook

Blood Moon 6 by Amy Crook

This ink wash is a vivid addition to my City series, which is also the 6th of my Blood Moon paintings.

The blood moon glows with a rich red-gold radiance. The sky is home to a thousand glittering golden stars in halo around it. A dark city awaits below, reflecting the glow of them both.

Built in layers, this piece was first a wash of red and gold inks, and then a globe of light in the middle of gold-dusted night, and finally became a city. Each layer is a different kind of ink, even the gold dust.

Blood Moon 6, 8″x8″ brush & ink and ink wash on Fluid watercolor paper.

Blood Moon 6, detail, by Amy Crook

Blood Moon 6, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the shimmering gold dust in the Stormy Grey ink, and the solid Deleter Manga ink that blacks it out where the buildings rise up, with the beautiful red shining through both where appropriate. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, waiting to grace your walls with its eerie beauty.

Blood Moon 6, framed art by Amy Crook

Blood Moon 6, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Horace’s Feather

Saturday, November 7th, 2015

Horace's Feather by Amy Crook

Horace’s Feather by Amy Crook

If you’ve read my novels, you probably remember Horace, the bronze sparrow created by the magical main character. He carries letters inside his hollow chest, and flies on the strength of spells written into every feather.

There’s just one color of ink in this bronze feather, covered in runes and imbued with magic — in the world of the book, anyway.

Before you hurt your brain trying to google the runes, they’re mostly made up, and a couple of them are even stolen from my fake Cthulhu alphabet. Why make new fake runes when old fake runes will do?

Horace’s Feather, 4″x6″ ink wash on Fluid watercolor paper.

Horace's Feather, detail, by Amy Crook

Horace’s Feather, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the ink-painted runes and bronze details of Horace’s feather. Below, it’s safely in a frame, waiting to float to a new home.

Horace's Feather, framed art by Amy Crook

Horace’s Feather, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Inktober – the End

Saturday, October 31st, 2015

Happy Halloween!

Inktober was a month-long artist’s challenge in October to do one piece of art in ink every day, and these are the last few little stragglers. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have!

Day 28 - sketchy red leaf

Day 28 – sketchy red leaf

Day 29 - Pod birdwatching

Day 29 – Pod birdwatching

Day 30 - Blowfish

Day 30 – Blowfish

Day 31 - Hanged Man

Day 31 – Hanged Man

Categories: Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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