Posts Tagged ‘interference’

Phosphorescence

Tuesday, June 14th, 2022

Phosphorescence, 12″x24″ mixed media on paper

In the same vein as Time is Escaping, this larger-scale painting uses shimmering, textured paint to create a feeling of water and movement.

The spiral structure suggests a deep whirlpool or concentric waves, with something brightly phosphorescent bursting out, escaping with its darker-hued cousins. Despite the feeling of depth, the paint in the center is thickly layered in textural swashes, though some peeks of the first layer, an iridescent fluorite green wash, still show through.

The palette of black, purple, blue, and green is reminiscent of a peacock feather, as is the sheen of sparkle that covers the entire painting.

Phosphorescence, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see sunlight picking up the flecks of tourmaline in the black, and the varying shades of purple floating atop the central vortex. Below, the same purples drift down into the shimmering metallic greens at the bottom of the painting.

Phosphorescence, detail, by Amy Crook

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

Monday, July 19th, 2021

mixed media artwork of a blue-purple twilight with a waning gibbous moon, tree, and birds

Waning, 5″x7″ mixed media on paper

This misprint had an alignment issue that made it all sky and no earth. I couldn’t resist painting in the very end of twilight in rich blue and fading violet. The moon is a special iridescent paint that looks white at some angles and lavender at others. The tree has some intriguing physical texture, painting over with soft-body acrylic paint, and its details were extended into a network of lacy growth.

There’s a few little birds in the sky as well, hidden mostly behind the mist of tiny dots that might be fireflies or snowflakes or even a light rain reflecting moonlight at the viewer.

Every part of this artwork got a touch of new life, from the waning gibbous moon to the color-washed streaks in the sky.

Waning, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the way the paint shines, the moon going purple and the tree’s texture picking up the golden sunlight. Below, this piece is in a frame and happily showing itself off for you.

Waning, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
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The Skies of Unknown Kadath

Thursday, March 5th, 2020

dreamy abstract art featuring clouds of iridescent color on black paper, by Amy Crook

The Skies of Unknown Kadath, 6″x8″ watercolor on black paper

In this month’s lone abstract painting, shiny paints layer over black paper to get this dreamlike effect.

“The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath” is a novella by horror writer HP Lovecraft, best known for creating Cthulhu and also being hugely bigoted (even for 100 years ago). It’s a fascinating trip into dreams and obsession and madness, like so many of his works, and the painting’s title is a nod to the surreal descriptions that keep his work in our collective memory.

There’s a lot hiding in this painting, full of pigments that shine at different angles, in different colors, that peek through the less-glittery mineral paints and stand out against the black background.

The Skies of Unknown Kadath, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see some of the shining paints at a close up and oblique angle, the pigments catching sunlight and showing the layers of texture and detail. Below, it’s in a temporary frame, just waiting for the right dreamer.

The Skies of Unknown Kadath, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery
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Spider Moon

Thursday, November 7th, 2019

an ink and watercolor painting of a spiderweb stretched between two tree branches, silhouetted against a golden harvest moon, by Amy Crook

Spider Moon, 8″x8″ ink and watercolor on paper

Another month, another Moon. This one is a golden Harvest Moon as befits the time of year, with a spider’s complex web stretched between branches just right to catch the light. The design looks just enough like an eye to give one an eerie feeling, and perhaps to make one wonder who is looking at who.

Not to mention wondering where the spider went.

Spider Moon, detail, by Amy Crook

Spider Moon, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the delicate web of silk shadowed against the strange surface of a lush golden moon. Below, the painting is framed and waiting to shed some light in your home.

Spider Moon, framed art by Amy Crook

Spider Moon, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Concentric 7

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019

Concentric 7 by Amy Crook, abstract art of a swirling green background and floating golden dots

Concentric 7, 12″x9″ watercolor on paper

It was an especially difficult month for photography, with black paper, strange colors, and all kinds of shinies.

This addition to my Concentric series is a beautiful mix of greens and golds, with the dots themselves a special effects paint that switches from pale green to bright gold depending on the angle of the light and the exact mix of ingredients.

The slightly-raised dots feel like fireflies, galaxies, eyes, or petals floating on a green pond. It would make a peaceful addition to any room, adding a touch of sparkle.

Concentric 7, detail, by Amy Crook

Concentric 7, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see those golden dots catching the light, turning different colors depending on the mix of the unusual interference paint. Below, this large piece is in a temporary frame, soon to fly to its new home.

Concentric 7, framed art by Amy Crook

Concentric 7, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Hammer of the Gods

Sunday, September 8th, 2019

Hammer of the Gods by Amy Crook, an abstract watercolor of shiny lightning against blue stormclouds

Hammer of the Gods, 5″x7″ watercolor on paper

Thor’s third movie really changed things for him as a character, and this art calls up the cinematic moment when he and his lightning come crashing down on his enemies to the tune of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” — which is also the source of the title.

The spreading tendrils of lightning at the bottom all but vanish until you tilt the page to the sun, and then it all lights up just like crashing down from the heavens.

Thunder not included.

Hammer of the Gods, detail, by Amy Crook

Hammer of the Gods, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the bright shine of abstract lightning against the low-hanging clouds, forking out before it strikes the ground. Below, the power is contained in a frame, but for how long?

Hammer of the Gods, framed art by Amy Crook

Hammer of the Gods, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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