Archive for the ‘Series and Books’ Category
Smoke 2
Wednesday, March 4th, 2015
Smoke 2, abstract art by Amy Crook
An obvious sequel to the painting above, Smoke 2 has more variation in both line and colour. I used a different paint, one that’s a mix of greens, and varied the technique as well.
Where the first painting is full of roiling clouds, this smoke drifts up in lazy lines. It reminds me more of an altar with thin sticks of incense burning at different rates, each one sending up its own cloud of colour and scent.
I don’t smoke myself*, but I always did love incense and candles, and the different strange shapes that occur when two insubstantial elements interact, air and smoke dancing together to create something ephemeral and beautiful.
*no, not that, either
Smoke 2, 4″x6″ watercolor on paper.
Smoke 2, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the variation in colour from blue-green to forest green to olive, dissolving in wisps that are just barely visible on the thick, creamy paper. Below, the piece is in a frame, small and unassuming, but perfect to bring a little beauty and peace into an otherwise drab space.
Smoke 2, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: for sale, green, smoke, watercolor
Smoke 1
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015
Smoke 1, abstract watercolor by Amy Crook
Thick black smoke dissipates into fanciful curls and clouds, diffused by the draughts of invisible air.
This abstract painting is an exploration of subtle detail, a mix of the deliberate and random. The paint is blue-black, and little hints of blue show up here and there among the shades of grey.
As peaceful as watching incense burn, this frozen moment won’t make anyone sneeze or set off the fire alarm. It would make a wonderful meditation focus, each tiny facet a point of consideration.
Smoke 1, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper.
Smoke 1, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see some of the drifts and swirls up close, showing variations in the grey from blue to violet. Below, you can see the smoke trapped in a frame, forever frozen to the eye.
Smoke 1, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: for sale, smoke, watercolor
Core Freedom
Monday, February 23rd, 2015
Core Freedom by Amy Crook for Jo Van Every
Another commission done, this one a new addition to my Horizons series. This one is entirely watercolour, even the raptor circling above in the clear blue sky. Jo had this to say about her newest acquisition:
Since moving out to a rural area and acquiring dogs, I walk through woods and fields daily. I’ve been paying attention to subtle differences in colour as the seasons change. I can identify several tree species by shape in winter. I am more aware of the subtle differences in bark colour and leaf colour, especially in spring. I also notice the change in the colour of the sky depending on season and humidity. Amy’s paintings of bare trees and crows resonate with this landscape that I observe daily. She painted another painting of autumn trees with a moodier, cloudy sky. While I liked that one, the orange leaves against a blue sky speaks to me much more clearly and Amy was happy to paint one just for me.
Core Freedom, 8″x4″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Categories: Completed Commissions, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
Tags: all rights reserved, bird, commission, horizons, raptor, tree, watercolor
Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Villain, with Cats
Monday, February 16th, 2015
Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Villain, with Cats, by Amy Crook
It’s been so long since I dyed my hair or drew a weeble, I decided it was time for a new self-portrait. I drew myself in the style of my Sherlock and Doctor Who fan art comics, so now I, too, can be a fancy stick figure. I’ve also updated the site to match my awesome purple villain chair, I hope you enjoy the cool violets that have replaced my beloved bloody reds.
Pod is sitting in my lap, with Belladonna up top, and the three of us have identical unimpressed expressions, which amuses me greatly. The ‘NO’ t-shirt isn’t actually in my collection, but it’s one of my favorite words. It’s useful in so many situations!
Categories: People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: cats, copic marker, nfs, pen and ink, purple, self portrait
Sea Turtle 2
Sunday, February 8th, 2015
Sea Turtle 2 by Amy Crook
A bonus post! This little turtle was the predecessor to yesterday’s art, and when I was looking on the blog to link to him, I realized I hadn’t ever given him his own post.
I really like the splooshy-bright turquoise sea he’s swimming through, which makes me think of the Caribbean, especially the way his simple 3-color palette stands out against it. He’s done in the same gold and green as the third turtle, but with white for highlights rather than the purple shadows.
Sea Turtle 2, 6″x4″ watercolor and Primatek watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Sea Turtle 2, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the details of his shell and determined little face. Below, the piece is in a tiny frame, all ready to add a splash of marine life to someone’s desk.
Sea Turtle 2, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
Tags: nfs, primatek, sea turtle, sold, watercolor
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Sea Turtle 3
Saturday, February 7th, 2015
Sea Turtle 3 by Amy Crook
This sea turtle is full of attitude. Whatchoo lookin’ at? I’m just swimmin’ here.
I love how his face came out, glaring defiantly straight out of the painting, full of confidence.
He’s entirely painted in three colors and with one brush, with a fourth color (and a different brush) for the background. His colors are mostly the earthy mineral tones of Primatek paints, offset by the vivid Quinacridone gold that’s in both the sunlight and the turtle.
He’s small, but he’s fierce.
Sea Turtle 3, 6″x4″ watercolor and Primatek watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Sea Turtle 3, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see his face and the expression of giving no fucks at all. Below, you can see him in his temporary frame, before he swam off to his new home.
Sea Turtle 3, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
Tags: nfs, primatek, sea turtle, sold, watercolor
Stardust
Friday, February 6th, 2015
Stardust, abstract art by Amy Crook
Another painting in my Aglow series, this one hearkening back to Carl Sagan again.
The space is black and blue and violet, lit with the big glow of some celestial body and scattered with the smaller glow of stars, or possibly stardust. The firefly-dots are in interference blue, so they catch the light to twinkle and shimmer.
There are hidden stars in the white, too, which shine only at the right angle.
We are all amazing.
We are all worthwhile.
We are all stardust.
Stardust, 8″x8″ pen & ink, watercolor, and interference watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Stardust, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the quote and just a hint of the sneaky extra stars hanging out in the white paper. Below, the painting is in a frame, stars glowing in the sunlight.
Stardust, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, blue, calligraphy, interference, nfs, purple, sold, stars, violet, watercolor
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