Archive for the ‘Whimsical and Strange’ Category

V is for Value

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

V is for Value, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

V is for Value, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

Value is a term for how dark something is, the range from black to white, so I explored that in two ways with this piece. First the V itself is a simple triangle shaded with a brush and pre-mixed black sumi-e ink. Then the background is shaded more like an old-fashioned etching, using the red glitter gel pen and my own wobbly handmade lines to create a fade in the opposite direction.

I have to admit, there’s something very ’80s music video about the result, like the logo for some new wave band. Perhaps there’s a Victor or Virginia in your life that are big fans of Duran Duran and need this in their life.

V is for Value, 5″x5″ sumi-e ink and glitter gel pen on paper.

V is for Value, detail, by Amy Crook

V is for Value, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a bit of the glittery red gel pen making the pen-shaded light-to-dark value in the background, and just the little tip of the V where the ink was determined to mostly stay at a middle tone. Below, you can see the V hanging out with the O and a little preview of X to spell “vox.”

V, O and X, framed art by Amy Crook

V, O and X, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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U is for Uncial

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

U is for Uncial, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

U is for Uncial, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

I guess there’s not a lot of Ulrichs or Ursulas out there, but if there are, this is the letter for them! I personally plan to use it to spell STFU until someone buys one of the letters. And, of course, you can always put U and I together and be a terrible pickup line.

Uncial is one of the classic calligraphy fonts, so I wanted to do a proper homage in warm earthy brown and cheerful new-leaf green. There’s just a touch of gold decoration in the fattest parts of the letter, giving it a lovely bit of sparkle.

U is for Uncial, 5″x5″ pen & ink, Japanese watercolor and glitter gel pen on paper.

U is for Uncial, detail, by Amy Crook

U is for Uncial, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the gold glitter illuminating the letter with just a touch of sparkle. Below, you can revisit the last few weeks of letters, plus the lovely, flourishing F.

S, T, F & U, illuminated letters by Amy Crook

S, T, F & U, illuminated letters by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Blue Dude of the Deeps

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

Blue Dude of the Deeps, vinyl toy customized by Amy Crook

Blue Dude of the Deeps, vinyl toy customized by Amy Crook

He’s really more teal than blue, but the name amuses me anyway. This little guy looks like Poseidon’s evil minion in some sort of wacky Greek Myth claymation. He’s all tentacles down below, and spiraling silver curls up top, with tentacles on his left arm and silver filigree on the right.

Blue Dude of the Deeps, 3.5″ tall vinyl Color Blank figure customized with acrylic paint and Sharpie marker, $99 with free shipping. Note that this is a collectible, not a toy, and the paint will not stand up to much abuse.

Blue Dude of the Deeps, detail 1, by Amy Crook

Blue Dude of the Deeps, detail 1, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see more detail on his curly hair and filigreed arm, as well as the coppery sheen of light off the black Sharpie. Below, you can see the rest of his head and the curling tentacle that takes up most of his back.

Blue Dude of the Deeps, detail 2, by Amy Crook

Blue Dude of the Deeps, detail 2, by Amy Crook

He’s been finished and signed, but I need to get some polyvarnish to finish him off before he’s really ready to ship.

Blue Dude of the Deeps, detail 3, by Amy Crook

Blue Dude of the Deeps, detail 3, by Amy Crook

  • Title: Blue Dude of the Deeps
  • 3.5 in. tall Color Blank vinyl figure customized with acrylic paint and Sharpie marker
  • $99 for the original (tax will be added if you live in CA)
  • Shipping is free anywhere in the world
  • This figure is a collectible and not a toy. The paint will not stand up to much abuse, and the materials are in no way guaranteed kid-safe.
  • Payment plans are available, just email me
  • The button below will take you to Paypal – if you’d like to pay another way, just let me know and we’ll work it out

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
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Second Breakfast

Saturday, January 5th, 2013

Second Breafkast, Hobbit parody art by Amy Crook

Second Breafkast, Hobbit parody art by Amy Crook

Bilbo’s got a whole second breakfast set out, with bread and cheese, apples and tea and of course a nice hot plate of eggs, sausages and fried tomatoes. But he wants you to know that he loves you just as much as the meal!

This warm, cheerful card will help show your love for the Tolkien geek in your life, or just someone who appreciates a good second breakfast as much as any hobbit.

Second Breakfast, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic markers on paper, original nfs (sold).

Second Breakfast parody Valentine by Amy Crook

Second Breakfast parody Valentine by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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Squid Inked

Friday, January 4th, 2013

Squid Inked cartoon by Amy Crook

Squid Inked cartoon by Amy Crook, $59

This wee little squid is a bit embarrassed by how very excited he or she gets when you’re around (even squid don’t always know which is which). There’s a silly heart-shaped inkblot on the front of the card, and this little squid decorates the inside with plenty of room for your sentiments and signature. This is a great card for someone you’ve got a crush on, or who still excites you after all these years!

Squid Inked, 5″x5″ pen & ink and Copic markers on paper, original $59 with free shipping (inkblot not included).

Squid Inked Valentine by Amy Crook

Squid Inked Valentine by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
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Boring Without You

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Bored Without You, Sherlock parody art by Amy Crook

Bored Without You, Sherlock parody art by Amy Crook

No one can do ennui quite like Sherlock, and today’s Valentine is no exception. Perfect for those apart from their beloveds, I even wrote a little poem to go with it:

“Blood spatter’s red,
Corpse lips are blue,
But murders are boring
When I’m without you.”

The wallpaper was drawn by hand on a light table, using a printout of the original pattern for reference, so each little scribbled motif is just a bit different from the rest. Sherlock’s got his stuffed hedgehog to keep him company, but it’s just not the same as having John there with him.

Boring Without You, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic markers on paper, original nfs (sold).

Boring Without You, a Sherlock parody Valentine by Amy Crook

Boring Without You, a Sherlock parody Valentine by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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OKCthulhu

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013

OKCthulhu parody by Amy Crook

OKCthulhu parody by Amy Crook

I was waffling about what to do for a Cthulhu Valentine this year when my friend Jeff suggested this particular parody idea. The result isn’t so much a Valentine as a wish for the recipient to find love without having to resort to Cthulhu. There’s references here to some of my favorite games, not to mention a certain popular dating site and a certain parody Tumblr.

And yes, Cthulhu is wearing a fedora.

OKCthulhu, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic markers on paper.

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Tentacles, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
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