Archive for the ‘Series and Books’ Category

Storm/City

Monday, June 8th, 2015

Storm/City by Amy Crook

Storm/City by Amy Crook

A dark storm moves in the shadows of this loosely-painted city, sparkling with contained electricity.

J. Herbin’s lovely anniversary ink, Stormy Grey, gives some really gorgeous depth with its gold highlights and dark, layered greys.

I mostly stuck to more traditional city buildings this time around, brush and ink creating the suggestions of windows and towers against the pale page of the sky. I did include the Gherkin building from London, because it’s just really fun to paint. I put it in a lot of my cities!

Storm/City, 6″x4″ J. Herbin ink on Fluid watercolor paper.

Storm/City, detail, by Amy Crook

Storm/City, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the gold catching the light against the dark grey of stormclouds in the shadows. Below, the piece is tucked into a tiny frame, a tempest in a teapot.

Storm/City, framed art by Amy Crook

Storm/City, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Two for Joy

Friday, June 5th, 2015

Two for Joy by Amy Crook

Two for Joy by Amy Crook

If this painting feels familiar, that’s because it’s a relative of last month’s One for Sorrow 2. The figure this time is more androgynous, and their clothing seems to be blowing against the prevailing winds that bend the trees to their will.

Just like its predecessor, this piece has a lot of soft, pale fog that gets lost when it’s reproduced, but adds a lot of rich texture to the original. You can see it in the trees in the detail photo, a delicate sweep of wind moving across the paper grain.

Two crows sit low on a branch in the lee of the wind, harbingers of some unnamed joy. Whose joy and about what is left up to the imagination of the viewer, or perhaps it belongs to the apparition staring blankly back out of the page.

Two for Joy, 6″x6″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Two for Joy, detail, by Amy Crook

Two for Joy, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the staticky figure staring back at you, his clothing seemingly blown by an opposing wind. Below, I’ve displayed the painting in a temporary frame, where it awaits its new home.

Two for Joy, framed art by Amy Crook

Two for Joy, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Mistwood

Thursday, June 4th, 2015

Mistwood by Amy Crook

Mistwood by Amy Crook

This beautiful sheet of Twinrocker Handmade Simon’s Green paper is about 22 years old — I acquired it many years ago when I had a model named Simon, and never found the right use for it. I pulled it out specifically thinking it make an intriguing addition to my Pathways series, and I’m quite pleased with the result.

Strong green spikes rise upward, spreading out into leaves and branches, spreading further into mist and obscurity. Hints of earthy ochre lurk in the depths where surprising blues emerge through the fog. The tops of the trees disappear off the natural deckle edge of the paper, and the whole forest is bowed ever so slightly in some unseen wind.

Mistwood, 24″x18″ watercolor on Twinrocker handmade paper.

Mistwood, detail, by Amy Crook

Mistwood, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see one of the areas of “mist” where the greens break up and fade out in soft layers of color. Below, you can see the dark “trees” with their rich, strong forest colors still intact.

Mistwood, detail, by Amy Crook

Mistwood, detail, by Amy Crook

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

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

Every Step by Amy Crook

Every Step by Amy Crook

This painting has a secret! I got some wonderful Noodler’s Blue Ghost UV-reactive ink recently, and unlike the other Aglow paintings, this one hides its message, which reads, “every step that I ran to you.”

The painting itself ranges from the clear blue of a deep lagoon around to the rich greens of jungle plants, with the curl of white sand beach in the middle. Waves of pale paint lap inward until there’s nothing but the paper at the very center. You can’t see a hint of the invisible ink in normal light.

Don’t worry, though, I’ll ship it with a UV keylight so you can always revisit the sweet sentiment.

Every Step, 8″x8″ brush & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Every Step, detail, by Amy Crook

Every Step, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a bit of the classified, curving calligraphy lit by the UV glow. Below, the painting is in a frame, the ink truly invisible to the naked eye.

Every Step, framed art by Amy Crook

Every Step, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Cat Naps

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015

Cat Naps by Amy Crook

Cat Naps by Amy Crook

Cats! Lazy, languid, liquid cats. I first explored this idea in a sketchy little bookmark, but of course with only room for three poses it wasn’t nearly enough.

I took inspiration from my own ridiculous pets, Belladonna and Pod, and of course the many cats on the internet.

I have trouble choosing a favorite — what’s yours?

Cat Naps, 5″x7″ brush and ink on paper.

Cat Naps, detail, by Amy Crook

Cat Naps, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a close up of the fine brush work on this sleeping kitty, rich with texture despite the minimalist design. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, just waiting to add some extra kitty zen to your life.

Cat Naps, framed art by Amy Crook

Cat Naps, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Bart & Chris

Monday, May 25th, 2015

Bart & Chris from Daron's Guitar Chronicles by Amy Crook

Bart & Chris from Daron’s Guitar Chronicles by Amy Crook

This summer, Daron’s Guitar Chronicles is only posting once a week (woe!) while Cecilia writes a bunch of other things she’s likely being paid better for. So, her fans are stepping up to the plate and taking over the other posting day!

After a bit of discussion in the comments, it was decided the rest of Moondog 3 needed to take the spotlight. On the left we have Bart, the bassist, with his red bow tie and angelic curls. On the left is Christian, the drummer, tall and skinny with the kind of hair you’d expect from a drummer in an ’80s band.

Bart & Chris, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper. Get them on a greeting card at Etsy.

Bart & Chris greeting card at Etsy by Amy Crook

Bart & Chris greeting card at Etsy by Amy Crook

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

Monday, May 18th, 2015

Cyberman, Doctor Who fan art by Amy Crook

Cyberman, Doctor Who fan art by Amy Crook

It’s time for an upgrade! This guy will be happy to help you be the best version of yourself, where by best we mean Cyberman. I even made him into a birthday card, which you can buy at my Etsy shop.

If you want to be the proud owner of the original art, you’ll see it for sale in this month’s Floating Gallery.

Cyberman, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Cyberman birthday card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Cyberman birthday 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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