Posts Tagged ‘monster’
Beneath
Sunday, June 3rd, 2018
Beneath, 4″x8″ pencil and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper
Humanity has explored such a small percentage of the oceans, and we can comfortably swim or surf or sail on just the thinnest sliver of surface. We never know what lies just beneath those waves, waiting patiently for their time to come.
This monster with its blank, shining eye and teeth taller than a mast is there below the waves that propel this surfer just over its head.
But not necessarily out of its reach.
Beneath, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the sharp teeth and dead, pearlescent eye of the creature up close. Below, the monster is hiding in its frame, lying in wait for some unfathomable cue to act.
Beneath, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
Tags: for sale, monster, myriorama, ocean, pearlescent, pencil, sea monster, watercolor
Edges
Monday, September 2nd, 2013
Edges, abstract art by Amy Crook
Something bright and cheerful for your Monday, whether you’re working or have a day off like many Americans. I’m putting a selection of the new pieces on the blog this week, but there’s even more art at the Floating Gallery and it’s only available until next Sunday!
I had a piece of 10″x8″ watercolor paper that I made a background on in bright yellow, green and darker green, using a spray bottle to make the fascinating layered shapes with their fractal borders like fjords. I used pen & ink on this piece a bit haphazardly at first, and what I ended up with was a work of art that just wasn’t working with itself. So, I girded my loins and got out my tear bar and tore it in half, then took a bit off each piece to end up with two 5″x7″ works of art, and a couple of bookmarks. All of the pieces then got some more work, and Edges is one of the results, the right half of the original.
Edges, 5″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on watercolor paper.
Edges, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the little critter I doodled in one corner where the edges seemed to suggest him. He’s smaller than a dime, and says pbth on your size issues. Below, speaking of size issues, you can see the piece in a frame with my iPhone, so you can appreciate the size it ended up.
Edges, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: for sale, green, monster, pen and ink, watercolor
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Monster Naptime
Monday, May 20th, 2013
Monster Naptime by Amy Crook, 5″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper
After last week’s pair of Monster paintings, I decided to do a follow-up to start the week off right. This is, after all, the best perspective from which to deal with the adorable little pests. Once they’ve had a nap, I’m sure they won’t be quite so grumpy.
The clever among you will notice that it’s the artist holding the monsters. The persnickety will notice my part is on the wrong side, which is artistic license. And yes, I do have a nose in real life.
Monster Naptime, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see the cranky cuties up close and full of meh. Below, I’ve put myself and my monsters behind glass, and Cthulhu himself came by to hang out. He’s got this sleeping thing down pat, after all.
Monster Naptime, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: for sale, monster, pen and ink, self portrait, watercolor
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No No No Monsters
Friday, May 17th, 2013
No No No Monsters by Amy Crook
After sharing Wednesday’s Miasma of Monsters with my friends at the Starship, we all agreed that this trio was a big one for anyone running an ittybiz. First the raggedy, staticky fluffball of “No Energy,” then the red-eyed “No Time,” and their green friend with his unexpected sharp bits, “No Money.” Definitely a trio that demands attention!
I’m feeling a bit less poorly, myself, but still moving quite slowly when it comes to getting art done and ready to go, so you can expect updates to be a bit erratic until I’m all better. I’m just grateful for Tylenol.
No No No Monsters, 7″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper.
No No No Monsters, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see the red glaring clock of the time monster, telling you to stop or go faster, or possibly both. Below you can see them in a frame, looking just as silly as ever.
No No No Monsters, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: monster, nfs, pen and ink, sold, watercolor
Miasma of Monsters
Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
Miasma of Monsters by Amy Crook, 7″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper
I swear, whenever I get sicky or ouchie my mood goes down with my physical wellness and I just feel uncreative and awful. Like my immune system is somehow responsible for keeping these critters at bay as well as the microscopic sort. I called this a miasma because that’s what their little cloud of doubt and blah reminded me of, a miasma that fills the mental air and makes it hard to see anything else.
My favorite is the guy in back, who is staring and not saying anything. You know what you did, his magenta evil eye says it all for him, though I’m fond of them all for one reason or another. The guy on the right looks like he’s about to erupt into a temper tantrum worthy of a 3-year-old, where the one on the left is very sternly lecturing you. He uses big words, I bet.
Painting them, I must admit, did help lift the miasma a bit. They’re just so cute!
Miasma of Monsters, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see my favorite monster staring at you. Always staring. Disapprovingly staring. Below, he’s still staring out of the frame, so you can see what these guys look like trapped behind glass.
Miasma of Monsters, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: for sale, monster, pen and ink, watercolor
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Rude Goblins
Saturday, August 20th, 2011
Rude Goblins, sketch by Amy Crook
I’m not sure what I had in mind when I sat down and started sketching, but I’ve managed to really amuse myself with these two guys. The very first line I drew was the round, fat curve of the short one’s pot belly, and I spent a ridiculous amount of time refining them before I decided it was time to declare them done.
And no, I have no idea what happened to their pants. And they’re not going to tell you, either.
Categories: Daily Art, Nudes and Other Sexy Things, People, Figures and Faces, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: goblin, monster, nfs, pencil, sketch
2 Comments »
Mapping Your Thing
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
Fairytale Path by Amy Crook, for Tara Swiger’s Map-Making Guide
I have to admit I was utterly thrilled when Tara Swiger.* asked me to paint a path for her latest awesome product, the Map-Making Guide*. After some back-and-forth discussion, she ended up commissioning the path itself, and a page of fairytale-related dingbats to go with it. The purple fuzzy monster is even a bit weeble-y, so when he wanted to be posted on a Wednesday, I went with it.
I sketched up the path itself, and then after her enthusiastic approval, painted in the wandering curve, leaving plenty of white space around it for writing, and playing. Then I had fun drawing all the things I could think of to decorate it, most of which you can see here. The extra curve of path is for those whose ambitions sometimes require a detour, for instance, and there’s a dragon and fuzzy monster to represent the scary obstacles along the way. A pot of gold awaits those for whom that’s part of the goal, as well as a castle.
I had a lot of fun printing off a sample page and cutting out all the bits to play with, though I have to admit that I haven’t made it all the way through making my own Map yet. I’m thinking of making myself a page of pennants and banners to act as mile-markers, though I’m also tempted to get some of those Post-It flags for the same purpose. I’ve always wanted an excuse to buy some!
If you’ve got a goal and you’re a bit fuzzy on how to get from Point A to Point B, think about giving Tara’s Map-Making Guide* a try! Just doing Step 1 (spoiler: it’s “define Point A & Point B”) has been a great help in focusing my efforts.
“Working on the map with Amy was fantastic. I came to her while the idea was still just an unformed thought. Not only did she totally NAIL what I only vaguely described, she also helped me think it through. She turned my ideas into actual, visual products and delighted me beyond belief.”
-Tara Swiger
If you’re interested in working with me on an illustration, just drop me a line and I’ll be happy to give you a price quote and timeline estimate.
*Disclosure: I’m using affiliate links! If you buy it, I will get a few dollars. This will make us all happy.
Categories: Completed Commissions, Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
Tags: commission, dragon, monster, tara swiger, watercolor
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