Archive for the ‘Words Words Words’ Category
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
That Thing You Love
Saturday, August 2nd, 2014
That Thing You Love, calligraphy by Amy Crook
“Don’t let anyone tell you that the thing you love is a thing you can’t love.”
-Wil Wheaton
I created this piece as part of a gift for my awesome email list people, but I wanted to make the actual artwork available, too. Like any watercolor, there’s detail that gets lost in the print, plus it’s just awesome to know that yours is the one and only original.
This quote is from an impromptu, impassioned diatribe on “why it’s awesome to be a nerd” that Wil Wheaton gave when asked at a con for some advice for their baby girl to grow up geek, and it’s really good advice. The whole speech is pretty awesome, actually.
That Thing You Love, 9″x12″ pen & ink and watercolor on watercolor paper.
That Thing You Love, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the little cheesy ’70s sunrise face in the middle of the word ‘anyone,’ and below you can see the piece laying on my desk with my iPhone for size, because it turns out I don’t actually own a frame the right size. Oops.
That Thing You Love, calligraphic art by Amy Crook,
quote by Wil Wheaton
Categories: Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange, Words Words Words
Tags: calligraphy, for sale, pen and ink, watercolor, wil wheaton, word art
Goodies for my List
Thursday, July 10th, 2014
As many of you know, I have a little email list. It’s self-selected into 3 segments, plus the few oddballs who don’t choose anything and only get the Floating Gallery announcements.
There’s Art Patrons, who get a little bit more of a preview on what I’m working on than the rest of you, as well as a few days to sneak in and snipe the art before the Gallery opens each month. There’s the Etsy Customers, who get heads-up emails about new Etsy stuff, as well as the occasional special sale. There’s the Art Blog subscribers, who get the blog posts in their email. You can be any or all of them, if you like.
Now with extra swag!
There’s two new things for my list people:
- New subscribers will get five little emails that introduce you to my art & obsessive personality
- Everyone gets a free printable pdf that’s got bookmarks, a coloring page, and a bit of calligraphy
If you’re already on the list, I sent you a link to the printable in your email yesterday. Go look!
It’s pretty nifty, if I do say so myself. So join my list, and be one of us!
That Thing You Love, aka the calligraphy in the pdf, original art by Amy Crook
Categories: Words Words Words
Tags: info, words
Soon, Very Soon
Monday, June 30th, 2014
Swag for my new book release!
I’ve finally (omgfinally) finished the sequel to The Courtship of Julian St. Albans! Huzzah! I’ve sent off for a proof copy from Amazon, and once I’ve red-penned that for last-minute typos, the book will be ready! I figure mid-July, depending on the whims of the postal owls and pollen trees, but I’ve already started making up swag for a giveaway once it’s out!
The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans takes us into Julian & Alex’s life almost a year after the Courtship that brought them together. Read a sample chapter here.
Categories: Words Words Words
Tags: apprenticeship, consulting magic, courtship, i made this, julian st albans
Invent the Universe
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014
Invent the Universe by Amy Crook
“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.”
– Carl Sagan
Whether you see a big bang for just the light at the end of the tunnel, this painting feels full of possibility. If you wish to succeed at any endeavor, you have to invent inside yourself the universe in which it can happen. What’s amazing to me is that you can do it, that people can bring whole worlds to life inside themselves and then make them a part of our world, as well.
What do you want in your Universe?
Invent the Universe, 8″x8″ Japanese and metallic watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Invent the Universe, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the silver paint picking up the light as it curves around the central vortex. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, glowing with sunlight and possibility.
Invent the Universe, framed art by Amy Crook
This painting will be available in July’s Floating Gallery; join my list to get an early chance at it.
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of, Words Words Words
Tags: aglow, calligraphy, carl sagan, metallic, nfs, silver, sold, watercolor
1 Comment »
I <3 Payment Plans
Sunday, June 8th, 2014
No, really, I do. Layaway, payment plans, installments agreements, whatever you want to call it, I love them to bits. They help buyers who want art but don’t have all the pennies in their budget today, and they help me.
As a working artist, money coming in at regular intervals is a really nice thing to have. It’s always good to know my boba tea budget is covered! Instant gratification aside, that commitment tells me you love my art enough to give it a good home. It’s like the extra little bit of love you show when you’re willing to wait for your new kitten to get fixed before it comes to its forever home.
Okay, really I just wanted you to think art = kittens for a minute.
You might be wondering, how does one set up a payment plan with an artist such as yourself? Well, it’s really simple: just ask me.
Answers, We Has Them
- I offer 3 payment plans, $25, $50 or $100/month. Even the lowest one is enough to get one piece of art paid off within a year.
- I’ll keep track of it in a shared Google Spreadsheet, so you can always see where you are in your payments and how much there is to go.
- I don’t charge any interest, but you won’t get your art until after you’ve sent the last payment.
- Your painting or drawing will be marked sold as soon as we come to an agreement, so you don’t have to worry someone else will swipe it while you’re paying.
- You can pay with Paypal, checks, or meeting up for coffee & handing me cash, whatever works. Well, okay, you can only do the last one if you’re local to the SF Bay Area (hi!). I can even set up a Paypal Subscription Payment that’ll charge you automagically.
- You can always double up if you get a windfall and get your art faster, or rearrange if you come to a tight spot. If you have to miss a payment for whatever reason, it’s cool, we’ll just pick it back up next time.
Agree With Me?
If you’ve fallen in love with something in the Floating Gallery and want to take it home with you, send me an email! We’ll work out an agreement to make that possible.
Got more questions? You can ask them here, or drop me a line. I’m always happy to chat.
Categories: Floating Gallery, Words Words Words
Tags: floating gallery, info, words
Gestate, Uncurl, Blossom
Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
Gestate, Uncurl, Blossom; a calligraphic triptych by Amy Crook
Three small words and a simple illustration of a plant going from seed to flower in three panels. A metaphor for creating. A reminder of what it takes to get the beauty of a flower.
Gestate. The tiny green curled in the heart of brown seed.
Uncurl. The plant braves the world, straightens up, spreads its leaves wide.
Blossom. The beauty that can’t exist while the plant is still safe in its seed.
Gestate, Uncurl, Blossom, a triptych of watercolor artworks on 4″x6″ Fluid watercolor paper.
Gestate, Uncurl, Blossom; three details by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the three tiny watercolor illustrations up close: seed, curled-up sprout, and flower. Below, the trio in frames, lit by warm spring sunshine.
Gestate, Uncurl, Blossom; framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Words Words Words
Tags: calligraphy, for sale, triptych, watercolor
2 Comments »
« Or Head Back That Way
More Art This Way »
