Posts Tagged ‘aglow’
You Are Far From Done
Friday, April 8th, 2022
You Are Far From Done, 10″x8″ watercolor on paper
Gorgeous shades of purple swirl into a black hole in the middle, where even the light of the stars and the shine of the paint vanishes. It very much feels like a view of space where stars bright and dim glimmer and sparkle out of a swirl of color.
The text at the bottom says, “you are far from done…” and that’s a sentiment I think a lot of us need in this difficult time. Prices rise and rise while wages stagnate, ugliness blooms while it seems like beauty is constantly under attack, but I’m here to tell you: there’s more for all of us.
We just have to find it together.
You Are Far From Done, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the words in their ruddy dark ink, and the scattering of stars both near and far twinkling up from the purple sky. Below, the art has been framed, but you can rescue it from the slammer if you want to make it yours! It’s slightly larger than its stated size, and I’d recommend framing it inside a mat or floated on some nice black museum board for maximum awesomeness.
You Are Far From Done, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, interference, nfs, primatek, purple, sold, watercolor, word art
The Sight of the Stars
Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
The Sight of the Stars, 8″x10″ mixed media on metallic paper
Metallic photo paper makes a fascinating substrate, you can’t ever lift color once it’s put down. Instead, all the texture here is physical, soft body acrylic that rises above the paper in bumps and ridges formed by the brush strokes. On top of that a scattering of iridescent watercolor stars adds to the shine that already comes through the semi-translucent paint.
“The sight of the stars makes me dream.”
-Vincent Van Gogh
Sometimes I start an Aglow painting with words in mind, and sometimes I create the image and find words that go with it. I think this was the latter, but time is meaningless here in 2021 so who knows.
The Sight of the Stars, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close-up of the textured paint and shiny paper catching the golden light overhead. Below, the painting is in a frame, waiting to be shipped off to its new home!
The Sight of the Stars, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Pretty Words, Series and Books
Tags: acrylic, aglow, blue, inkjet print, metallic paper, more cowbell, nfs, purple, soft body acrylic, sold, van gogh
Be Curious
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
Be Curious, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper
I’m always on the lookout for short, interesting quotes to add to an Aglow painting. Sometimes the quote comes first, and sometimes the painting happens and the words wander in later, after some thought and possibly googling.
In this case, the shifting blue glows of pixies or stars or will-o-the-wisps floating up through the painting brought me to a very simple thought: be curious.
The perfect sentiment for a painting that invites exploration, with its odd details, here-and-gone glow, and a shining message in pink-purple-blue at the edge of a whirlwind of blue.
Be Curious, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shine of iridescent paint on top of the soft, complex matte of natural mineral paint. Below, the painting sits in its frame, inviting one closer, inviting curiosity.
Be Curious, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, duochrome, interference, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor
Let Me Dance
Saturday, May 4th, 2019
Let Me Dance, 12″x12″ watercolor on paper
Aglow is a series of abstracts with a sense of light to them, each containing a quote of some kind.
Sometimes the quote comes first, but more often the palette arrives on a whim, the painting proceeds into swirling, swooping color, and then words are the last piece of the puzzle.
This one called for a quote from a Robert Plant & Jimmy Page song, “give me peace of mind and let me dance.”
Let Me Dance, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close-up of the hand-painted lettering in all its spiky glory. Below, you can see it waiting in a frame, ready to be sent off to live on someone’s wall.
Let Me Dance, framed art by Amy Crook
PS – May the Fourth be with you!
…and also with you.
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor
Forgiveness
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
Forgiveness, 12″x12″ watercolor on paper
Desmond Tutu wrote an entire book titled No Future Without Forgiveness, and the title resonated with the soft, earthy swirls of this painting. There’s two different pieces in my Aglow series this month, and this one called out for a quote about forgiveness to float atop the warm spiral.
A patron commented that it looked like milk being stirred into tea, which fits perfectly with the feeling of warmth and care — for oneself, for others, for the world — that I had hoped to convey.
Forgiveness, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the hand-lettered quote, a reminder floating on warm earthtones. Below, you can see this large painting in a frame, waiting to bring peace to your home.
Forgiveness, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Pretty Words, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, desmond tutu, nfs, sold, watercolor, word art
Be Kind
Sunday, March 3rd, 2019
Be Kind, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper
The second new painting in my Aglow series this month, this one’s got a quote from another wonderful human being who inspires us to be better humans — Mr. Rogers.
There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.
The message was shortened for this small painting, but still contains his threefold wisdom: be kind. be kind. be kind.
Be Kind, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a detail of the brush calligraphy against the soft bloom of purple against blue watercolor. Below, the painting is in a frame, waiting to add a spot of kindness to your home.
Be Kind, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Pretty Words, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, nfs, sold, watercolor, word art
Every Step
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015
Every Step by Amy Crook
This painting has a secret! I got some wonderful Noodler’s Blue Ghost UV-reactive ink recently, and unlike the other Aglow paintings, this one hides its message, which reads, “every step that I ran to you.”
The painting itself ranges from the clear blue of a deep lagoon around to the rich greens of jungle plants, with the curl of white sand beach in the middle. Waves of pale paint lap inward until there’s nothing but the paper at the very center. You can’t see a hint of the invisible ink in normal light.
Don’t worry, though, I’ll ship it with a UV keylight so you can always revisit the sweet sentiment.
Every Step, 8″x8″ brush & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
Every Step, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a bit of the classified, curving calligraphy lit by the UV glow. Below, the painting is in a frame, the ink truly invisible to the naked eye.
Every Step, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: aglow, brush and ink, for sale, invisible ink, watercolor
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