Posts Tagged ‘interference’

Near and Far

Friday, July 5th, 2019

Near and Far, 7″x5″ watercolor on black paper

It’s been a month for revisiting old ideas in new ways, and this bit of Arches cover black paper just asked to be an abstract sky. The near stars bloom with nebula-like shapes, blue-hot centers limned in shining lilac. Or perhaps it’s snowflakes in someone’s too-bright halogen headlights, fat and fluffy in the near sky and smaller specks of light in the far. Night-blooming flowers might also seem to glow in the right light, petals moving in the wind and centers fragrant with nectar and dew.

Whatever you see in this painting, it’s floating through the darkness of the everyday to light up your imagination.

Near and Far, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the blue-hot center of each near ‘star’ just barely visible with its violet halo. Below, you can see it in its frame, like a window into another galaxy.

Near and Far, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
Tags: black paper, for sale, interference, stars, watercolor

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, for sale, interference, primatek, watercolor

Jellyfish Bloom 2

Saturday, March 2nd, 2019

Jellyfish Bloom 2, 6″x4″ white ink and watercolor on paper

The jellyfish are blooming again!

Near-transparent against the turquoise sea, they float below and only catch the light when it suits them. Their bodies are made of a shimmering interference blue that nearly vanishes, while the opaque white ink of the ribs and details keeps them visible even when the sunshine is fleeting.

This painting is beautiful in person, a tiny box of jewels to adorn your life in pale blues and enameled whites.

Jellyfish Bloom 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the sun glinting off the near-invisible shine of the jellyfish, turning the matte white ink into shadow. Below, you can see these tiny jellies in their own frame, like a tank of lovely pets that never need to be fed.

Jellyfish Bloom 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: brush and ink, for sale, interference, jellyfish, jellyfish bloom, primatek, watercolor

Concentric 2

Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

Concentric 2, 7″x5″ ink and watercolor on paper

Pale, pale, and bright spots of gold.

The soft grey ink wash provides a swirling backdrop to concentric rings of near-invisible violet, the designs only showing up when the light hits them just so. A bright, warm gold is scattered among the rest, like sunshine throwing physical droplets into a cool, rainy puddle.

Frame this little painting and put it on your desk, and you can always have a bit of secret shine to take a break and meditate on the hidden beauties of the world.

Concentric 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the art up close, turned to catch the light and reveal bright golds and hidden violets. Below, the art is tucked in a frame, just waiting to come live on your desk.

Concentric 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: brush and ink, concentric, for sale, interference, metallic, watercolor

Striking Out

Sunday, October 7th, 2018

Striking Out, 10″x8″ watercolor on watercolor paper

‘Striking out’ is a phrase with many connotations, from violence to adventure to failure.

It seemed fitting for this brooding violet storm with its lightning that lands three times and flashes twice more, the paint translucent white from one angle and vibrantly purple in the light.

Even the clouds hold some secret sparkle in their depths, the promise of rain or perhaps a portent of yet more sparks waiting to emerge.

Striking Out, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, sunshine limns the lightning in shimmering purple. Below, the storm is safely contained in a frame, waiting to strike out for its new home.

Striking Out, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
Tags: clouds, for sale, interference, primatek, watercolor

Growth 11

Tuesday, August 7th, 2018

Growth 11, 5″x5″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

Another Gallery, another Growth.

The theme continues to develop, the feeling of macroscopic or microscopic increasing with this eleventh addition to the series.

A bright green central circle is surrounded, edged and even intruded upon, by metallic dots that stand out from the page. Everything has texture and weight, a presence that makes it fascinating to move in the light, to run fingers over.

There are three layers of gold under the dots, from a deep gold near the center through nearly silver.

What do you need to support your growth?

Growth 11, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the little pearls of green and gold up close and personal. Below, the piece is in its tiny frame, already trying to outgrow its confines.

Growth 11, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: black paper, for sale, green, growth, interference, metallic, watercolor

Always Punch Nazis

Saturday, August 4th, 2018

Always Punch Nazis, 7″x5″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally wormed its way into your artist’s brain, and this is the first abstract of 3 to honor the early movies.

Captain America throws his shield in beautiful arcs, dim lights shining off it as he attacks Nazis and their HYDRA offshoots alike. This painting is meant to represent the swoosh of the shield flying past — or into — someone’s face.

A blur of motion and just a hint of patriotic color.

Happy 100th Birthday, Captain Rogers! #AlwaysPunchNazis

Always Punch Nazis, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see up close the sparkling sense of violent motion in red, white, and blue. Below, you can see the painting in a frame, trying to contain the Captain’s determination.