Archive for the ‘Words Words Words’ Category
Better is Better
Thursday, January 8th, 2015
Better is Better by Amy Crook
“Better is Better,” is one of the philosophies that got me through 2014, as well as its corollary, “Enough is Enough.”
Any improvement, no matter how small, is still better. Even if it’s not perfect, it can be enough.
You are enough.
This globe-like circle is surrounded by those words, cradled in the idea of appreciating our own milestones and achievements. The colors show up best in the main scan, bright blues and subtle greens, earth and water indistinct and yet evoking the feeling of a living world.
Better is Better, 5″x5″ watercolor on watercolor paper.
Better is Better, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the brush-drawn calligraphy and a bit of the lovely, watery world. Below, it’s tucked into a frame just the size for an everyday reminder.
Better is Better, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Words Words Words
Tags: better, calligraphy, circle, for sale, watercolor
Plant This Acorn
Saturday, January 3rd, 2015
Plant This Acorn by Amy Crook
Speaking of adventures and inspiration, this piece was inspired by The Hobbit movies, especially the newest one, though the quote is my own.
I would plant this acorn in your name, but I’d rather grow old with you.
I went for simplicity in this painting, layering glazes in shades of brown, gold, and a little red in the leaf, a little green in the body of the acorn. The writing is a version of my own handwriting. It is meant to evoke both nature and sentiment, a connection to the earth and trees but most of all a connection to a loved one.
Plant This Acorn, 4″x6″ pen & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Plant This Acorn, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the acorn with its little touches of green in the brown, against the red-brown of the oak leaf. Below, I’ve slipped the piece into a warm wooden frame, all ready for its new home.
Plant This Acorn, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Card Design, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Words Words Words
Tags: acorn, calligraphy, etsy, hobbit, leaf, nfs, oak, pen and ink, sold, watercolor
It’s an Advent Calendar, sort of!
Thursday, December 11th, 2014
I rather spontaneously decided to do an Advent Calendar this year on my Instagram account – I’ve been doing a little 10-minute sketch every day and posting a photo. I started with Sherlock and have been going through some of my fandoms, current and old, ever since!
Categories: Words Words Words
Tags: advent, instagram
Success!
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
the back of the package sent to my lucky winner
I did my first-ever email list giveaway this month, and it was a success! The darling Midori got her package and was very squeeful about the plethora of goodies inside.
The giveaway thing started out as an excuse for me to send more mail — people on my email list can opt to give me their snail mail addresses to get entered in a monthly drawing. I’m also going to try to get some birthday cards going out, and maybe something special for next Halloween (my favorite holiday!).
I wanted to give generously and not just one or two things — something that would really bring delight and awesome happiness to my people. The splendidly wicked Evil Supply Co.* sends out a bunch of freebies every month, and after winning a whole Mr. Ghost’s Monthly Parcel (The Raven!) and being totally shocked at the amount of swag in there, I wanted to pass that feeling on to my beloved readers, customers, and patrons.
ALL the swag
In addition to cards, bookmarks, gift tags, and some of my awesome Moo minicards**, there’s a couple of things you can’t get anywhere else — stickers, prints, and one of my even awesomer square Moo cards, which are like high-quality mini art prints.
*this is not an affiliate link, I just like Atticus a lot
**this is totally an affiliate link, but I also like Moo a lot
Categories: Words Words Words
Tags: email list, giveaway, words
Step Into the Light
Monday, September 8th, 2014
Step Into the Light by Amy Crook
I challenged myself with this piece to start with pink instead of blue, and still make something that spoke to me visually the same way Invent the Universe does. The light ended up in the center, more of a tunnel than a pathway, inviting you to step through and see what it’s like out in the light.
Step Into the Light, 8″x8″ Japanese, traditional, and metallic watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Step Into the Light, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the gold lettering catching the sunlight and putting the white of the paper to shame. Below, you can see the painting in its frame, waiting for the right wall.
Step Into the Light, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of, Words Words Words
Tags: aglow, calligraphy, gold, metallic, nfs, sold, watercolor
Julian’s sequel is finally out!
Friday, August 29th, 2014
Finally!
After wrestling in June & July with copy edits, and in August with weird tech problems (Createspace was finding their own cover template a tad confusing), I’ve finally published my second book! The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans is a sequel to my first book, where we follow Julian this time as he settles into his new life in the city with Alex.
Also, there’s a Kindle Matchbook thing.
If for some reason you want both versions of the book, you have to buy the physical book first. Then after you’ve paid for that order, you can go back to the ebook page and Amazon will offer you a discount. It’s cool, but tedious.
Either way, it’s done it’s done it’s done omg!
PS – If you haven’t read the first one yet, it’ll be free for a few days on Kindle. It’s the perfect chance!
Categories: Words Words Words
Tags: consulting magic, courtship, i made this, julian st albans
State of my Art, dog days of August edition
Monday, August 18th, 2014
This week I’ve got a lot of art to do, more than anything else. It’s that glorious week in the middle of the month when I actually have “make art” on the to-do list every day. That, and “harass Pod.” Trust me, he deserves it.
I’ve been working on a wee personal project making ridiculous pumpkin patterns for my Spoonflower account. It’s been great fun to pull out the Sharpies again, I find I do sometimes miss Sharpie Week even when I don’t miss the daily posting schedule. And it’s always fun to get into the Halloween spirit extra super early, don’t you think?
I finished two new pieces this past week, too. I finally figured out what to do with the swirly purple watercolor that I posted on Instagram last month; unsurprisingly, it involves crows. I also managed to paint another piece of stealth fan art, this time inspired by the gorgeous opening credits for Skyfall.
I’ve been working on a bunch of comics, some for Etsy and some just because. Hastur* is coming soon to a holiday card near you, and I started a slightly creepy birthday card involving a Weeping Angel. I may have also indulged myself in inking a couple of ridiculous James Bond crossovers that were the result of late-night Tumblr requests, and I might polish up a mashup of The Hobbit and Despicable Me as well.
If there’s a fandom holiday card you’ve always dreamed of seeing from me, now’s the time to let me know, Dear Readers. I’ll be drawing up a storm in August and September to be ready for the season!
I’ve got to do something with that intriguing bit of blue and white you can see along the right, and get cracking on a few other pieces as well. Before I know it, it’ll be time to work up the preview for my Patrons, and then open the Floating Gallery for September. Eek!
*three times is the charm. well, I say charm…
Categories: Words Words Words, Works In Progress
Tags: state of my art, words
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