Archive for the ‘Whimsical and Strange’ Category
Jade City
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
Jade City, watercolor by Amy Crook
Every time I paint a new City, I think, this one is my favorite. It’s the inevitable consequence of hours spent filling in the tiny, monochrome details and fleshing out my imaginary worlds.
This gorgeous jade city is besieged by a magnificent purple rainstorm, the violet clouds hanging above in dark spirals while the rain streaks down the page. The patterns of the rain helped determine the shape of the city it fell upon; gaps in the runnels became the buildings in this layered, mysterious skyline.
Jade City, 8″x8″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Jade City, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the tops of a few of the buildings besieged by the beautifully textured rainfall. Below, the city waits in its frame like a window onto another, stranger world.
Jade City, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: city, japanese watercolor, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor
Calligraphy Sketches
Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
I’ve been doing some calligraphy sketches on Instagram lately, and I thought I’d share them here for those of you that aren’t there. Some are little modern-day blessings, some are practice for larger future pieces, and one is a contemplation of purpose. Enjoy!
Categories: Pretty Words, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: calligraphy, instagram, nfs, pen and ink, pencil, sketch, watercolor
Cuppa Rage
Monday, August 3rd, 2015
Cuppa Rage by Amy Crook
Almost half of my July was taken up dealing with a tech snafu, which was covered by my extended warranty but still enough to drive me around the bend.
This sharp-edged, boiling cuppa was inspired by the uniquely enraging experience of dealing with terrible tech support that operates off a script with no room for the actual variation of customer experience. The cup itself is a dull, smoldering burgundy with bright orange in the handle and cut-off plane of the top, and a vibrant red inside with the bubbling tea. I gilded the sharp edges at the top and bottom of the cup and along the saucer, the bright spot of not actually murdering anyone.
My tech woes have been solved, but it’s good I had a cuppa to contain my rage.
Cuppa Rage, 7″x5″ pen & ink, watercolor, and metallic watercolor on paper.
Cuppa Rage, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shine of gold offset by the virulent orange on the sharp-cut edge of the cup, and the roil of tea inside. Below, the rage has been contained in a frame, ready to receive all the frustration of your Mondays to come.
Cuppa Rage, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: cuppa, for sale, metallic watercolor, pen and ink, tea, watercolor
Cuppa Sadness
Monday, July 6th, 2015
Cuppa Sadness by Amy Crook
More blue! Yes, it’s been a very blue month, which I didn’t do on purpose — several of these are holdovers from previous months that I started previously and finished recently. It just sort of worked out that way.
This newest cuppa is a soft, greyish blue on a heavy, watery sort of shape, with drops of water falling from above like tears.
Silver paint adds some shimmer to the sadness, in the tag and around the rim, including the droplet-like ends of each little blorp.
Really, the saddest part about this cuppa would be trying to drink your tea out of the weird shape. Oops.
Cuppa Sadness, 7″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper.
Cuppa Sadness, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shine of silver watercolor delicately gilding the edges of the cup and tag. Below, you can see the cup in a frame, ready to hold your sadness for you in its new home.
Cuppa Sadness, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: cuppa, metallic watercolor, nfs, pen and ink, sold, tea, watercolor
Vampire Bat
Saturday, June 6th, 2015
Vampire Bat by Amy Crook
Continuing in the same vein as Tuesday I have another minimalist brush painting, this time of a big-eared bat. With his swooping wings and giant ears, something about his face makes me think inevitably of Gary Oldman as aged Dracula. Clearly the costumer and I were working from similar inspiration.
I actually had to do this one twice, I dropped the brush onto the paper on the first go, which can be a happy accident in some things, but not this one. I’m actually happier with the second version anyway, so it all works out.
I just want to rub his fuzzy little belly!
Vampire Bat, 7″x5″ brush and ink on paper.
Vampire Bat, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see all the details in his adorable little face, including the glinting reflection in his eyes. Below, he’s resting in a frame, just waiting to fly over to you.
Vampire Bat, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Whimsical and Strange, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
Tags: baaaaaaaats, bat, bronze, brush and ink, for sale
Cat Naps
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015
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
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
Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: brush and ink, brush pen, cat, cats, nfs, sold, zen
Songbird
Wednesday, May 20th, 2015
Songbird by Amy Crook
My mother admired Jo’s Raptor, and so I decided to paint her a songbird of her own for Mother’s Day. This brush-and-ink style is always an interesting challenge in balancing detail versus simplicity. This little guy is just waiting for his chance to break out in song to herald the long-awaited return of spring.
The original is already in its new home, but you can buy him on a blank card at Etsy.
Songbird, 7″x5″ brush and ink on paper.
Songbird greeting card by Amy Crook at Etsy
Categories: Card Design, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: bird, brush and ink, brush pen, etsy, nfs
« Or Head Back That Way
More Art This Way »
