Posts Tagged ‘gold’

Resonate

Tuesday, July 20th, 2021

Resonate by Amy Crook, small abstract art with the word resonate in the upper left corner

Resonate, 6″x4″ watercolor and tea on paper

This piece sprang from a long-lost art challenge: I took the 2 teabags out of my giant mug of tea and put them on the page to create random shapes. I left them out for a few hours, then tossed the tea and let the paper dry thoroughly, by which I mean didn’t work on it again for a couple of months.

This abstract has a feeling that makes me think of the drip of tea back into the cup, of the shape made by a splash of milk, of the way sounds or ideas reverberate in your head.

What resonates with you?

Resonate, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the mix of bronzite and gold and the subtle ways they sparkle against the soft, tea-stained paper. Below, this small painting sits in a frame, ready to help you resonate.

Resonate, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Pretty Words
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Cracks in the System

Monday, March 5th, 2018

Cracks in the System, abstract art by Amy Crook

Cracks in the System, 5″x7″ pen & and watercolor on paper

Who and what falls through the cracks in the system, especially now that it seems like everything’s falling apart?

This piece is inspired by a friend’s cracked phone screen and the light that shines through anyway, the places where bits had dropped completely away, and the very strange sensation of running your fingers over the broken glass. It’s got seven little pops of bright gold to catch the light, to give a little hope that even when the system is cracked, some things still work.

Cracks in the System, detail, by Amy Crook

Cracks in the System, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see two of the shining gold spaces and some of the fine linework up close. Below, the piece is in a frame, fortunately sans cracked glass.

Cracks in the System, framed art by Amy Crook

Cracks in the System, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Mirage

Wednesday, March 8th, 2017

Mirage, abstract art in the Pathways series by Amy Crook

Mirage, 8″x10″ watercolor on Arches cover buff paper

Endless-seeming dunes give way near the top to the illusion of water. The warm buff paper breaks through the dull sparkle of yellow rust and copper. The caress of wind over sand exposes variations in shape, color and texture as a muted shine is revealed behind the amber waves.

The Pathways series is turned its side here, trading trees for earth and skies for an endless search for the horizon. The mirage adds a bright pop against the rich layers of sand and ochre and copper.

If you dream of sun and sand and sparkling water, this painting will bring a little piece of that into your everyday life.

Mirage, detail, by Amy Crook

Mirage, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sunlight catching the copper, which only appears at certain angles in amongst the sandy ochres and golds. Below, I’ve trapped the mirage behind glass, so you can safely contemplate eternity without losing yourself in the dunes.

Mirage, framed art by Amy Crook

Mirage, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Growth 8

Thursday, March 2nd, 2017

Growth 8, abstract art by Amy Crook

Growth 8, 5″x5″ watercolor on Arches cover buff paper

Photos don’t really do this understated painting justice. Its meditative qualities combine with a decorative feel from the bright gold border, and the depth and texture of the bronzite in the central circle.

Liminality and exploration work together in the Growth series, the core of the piece always showing some fundamental change as it sends itself outward into the surrounding space.

Growth and change are a part of every life, and art can be a beautiful, subtle reminder to welcome it.

Growth 8, detail, by Amy Crook

Growth 8, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the glimmer of real bronzite mineral next to the bright shine of golden watercolor. Below, a black frame brings out the warmth of this beautiful abstract painting.

Growth 8, framed art by Amy Crook

Growth 8, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Storm/City

Monday, June 8th, 2015

Storm/City by Amy Crook

Storm/City by Amy Crook

A dark storm moves in the shadows of this loosely-painted city, sparkling with contained electricity.

J. Herbin’s lovely anniversary ink, Stormy Grey, gives some really gorgeous depth with its gold highlights and dark, layered greys.

I mostly stuck to more traditional city buildings this time around, brush and ink creating the suggestions of windows and towers against the pale page of the sky. I did include the Gherkin building from London, because it’s just really fun to paint. I put it in a lot of my cities!

Storm/City, 6″x4″ J. Herbin ink on Fluid watercolor paper.

Storm/City, detail, by Amy Crook

Storm/City, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the gold catching the light against the dark grey of stormclouds in the shadows. Below, the piece is tucked into a tiny frame, a tempest in a teapot.

Storm/City, framed art by Amy Crook

Storm/City, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Ignite

Friday, January 2nd, 2015

Ignite by Amy Crook

Ignite by Amy Crook

Some fireworks to start off 2015!

This is the third in my Aglow series, taking the hues completely away from purple and black and setting them alight.

I want this painting to inspire you to coax the spark of hope and creativity in yourself to a proper bright bonfire. Ignite your passions, ignite your career, ignite yourself.

Ignite, 8″x8″ watercolor and duochrome watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Ignite, detail, by Amy Crook

Ignite, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the rich red with the gorgeous metallic word both catching the sunlight and looking like they’re on fire. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, with perhaps the most accurate colors of the three images.

Ignite, framed art by Amy Crook

Ignite, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Step Into the Light

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Step Into the Light by Amy Crook

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

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

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
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