Archive for the ‘Series and Books’ Category

Core Freedom

Monday, February 23rd, 2015

Core Freedom by Amy Crook for Jo Van Every

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
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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

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
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Sea Turtle 2

Sunday, February 8th, 2015

Sea Turtle 2 by Amy Crook

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

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

Sea Turtle 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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Sea Turtle 3

Saturday, February 7th, 2015

Sea Turtle 3 by Amy Crook

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

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

Sea Turtle 3, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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Stardust

Friday, February 6th, 2015

Stardust, abstract art by Amy Crook

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

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

Stardust, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Windswept 2

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

Windswept 2 by Amy Crook

Windswept 2 by Amy Crook

Stormy skies give the color scheme of Autumn to this second Windswept watercolor. There’s a lone figure at the bottom trudging past the trees, leaning into the wind, just trying to get where they’re going.

If only they’d look up, they might see the color all around them, but sometimes we get so focused on our journey we forget to see the world we’re traveling through.

On the other hand, windblown leaf bits in your eyes suck, so I don’t really blame them.

Sometimes, life is like that.

Windswept 2, 8″x4″ watercolor and Japanese watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Windswept 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Windswept 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the tiny grey figure struggling against the wind with the storm-tossed trees all around. Below, you can see the painting in a temporary frame, just waiting to bring its vibrant colors into your home.

Windswept 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Windswept 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Dreamlands 2

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

Dreamlands 2 by Amy Crook

Dreamlands 2 by Amy Crook

I’ve gone in a different, much more Seussian direction in my second Dreamlands painting. Bright colors and strange, off-kilter shapes give this painting a whimsy that feels like it’s straight out of a child’s dream of the big city.

There’s a tree full of apartments, a house made of houses, and a shining beacon atop a cross between a cactus and the Gherkin building. I can’t decide what I like best, the cheerful yellow windows, the shimmering stars above, or the overall feeling of warmth and welcome.

When I look at this painting, I think of Gonzo singing, “I’ve never been there, but I know the way. I’m going to go back there someday.”

Dreamlands 2, 7″X5″ Japanese and metallic watercolor on Arches cover black paper.

Dreamlands 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Dreamlands 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see some of the buildings up close, including the tower of houses and the looming dome behind it. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, just waiting to bring its strange, whimsical dreams into your life.

Dreamlands 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Dreamlands 2, 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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