Posts Tagged ‘nfs’

99 Tech Toys

Thursday, September 19th, 2019

99 Tech Toys by Amy Crook, 5″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper

When my friend Amber asked me to help her think of a birthday card design to tease her husband about the Switch he didn’t have*, we tossed around a few ideas, but this was the winner. “I got 99 tech toys but a Switch ain’t one” was just too funny not to use, plus it let me design Rap Badass Rey, which will have many uses in the future.

Some of the text was edited in post, mainly the Switch logo effect, because sometimes computers really do just do it better.

*obviously, he got one along with the card

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Pretty Words, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: be a cartoon, commission, nfs, pen and ink, rey, sold, watercolor

Concentric 7

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019

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

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

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
Tags: concentric, interference, nfs, sold, watercolor

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2

Thursday, September 12th, 2019

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The first version of this painting was lost in a tragic house fire. All the humans made it out safe, but the house was a total loss.

And thus we have a second take! Like a dance remix, but with more murder. Some things can never be replaced, and this piece isn’t exactly like its predecessor, but then again, Bucky goes through a lot of changes, too.

I’ve got the Original Six Avengers all done now, plus Bucky. We’ll see who inspires me next!

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the star up close, the darker bullet hole in the middle surrounded by thickly painted red. Below, it’s in a frame, waiting for the recipient to find a new home for it to live in.

I Won’t Be Your Winter, take 2, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Completed Commissions, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: commission, mcu, mcu abstracts, metallic, nfs, sold, watercolor, winter soldier

The Most Venomous Feminist

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

The Most Venomous Feminist, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The title for Black Widow’s abstract comes from an Ice T song, “Big Gun,” which in turn is from Tank Girl. Badass superheroes all around!

The background on this one has some very subtle texture and sparkle to it, much like the weave of Natasha’s uniform. The iconic logo has been splattered in with a rather bloody red, a little messy but still the unmistakeable warning of the red hourglass.

This piece would make an excellent statement that your favorite Avenger takes no crap from anyone, and neither do you.

The Most Venomous Feminist, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the slightly glossy blood red in all is layered, drippy glory. Below, the painting is in a frame, ready to creep into its new home.

The Most Venomous Feminist, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
Tags: black widow, japanese watercolor, mcu, mcu abstracts, nfs, sold, watercolor

Stirring Up the Sky

Friday, September 6th, 2019

Stirring Up the Sky, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper

More skies, more sparkles, more moon, more bird!

This one’s got a lovely shimmery background, both moon and sky, which the wings of our crow pick up beautifully. There is some matte black in its head and body and along the arches of its bones, but mostly this crow is like a dream of motion, stirring up the sky. The crow blots out the shine of the moon like the only solid piece of reality in a shining, swirling night.

Where would this beauty fit into your reality?

Stirring Up the Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the deep black of the crow going blurred and sparkly against the turquoise glitter of the moon. Below, the painting is shining out of a frame, waiting to go home with you. Yes, you.

Stirring Up the Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: blue moon, crow, duochrome, iridescent, moon, nfs, sold, watercolor

Overcast

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

Overcast, 8″x8″ watercolor on paper

A soft, subtle glow of sunshine just along the horizon warms up the gloom of this overcast sky. The city below seems almost familiar until you look closer and see buildings that no human architect has yet designed. Also, there’s a cat.

A random photo on Warren Ellis’ blog sent me down this visual rabbit hole. The idea of the last vestiges of light glowing up through the oncoming storm was a compelling one that seemed to work better for me as a cityscape than in nature.

Where do you need a little glimpse of impending, refreshing rain?

Overcast, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see a small section of the buildings up close and in detail, including a sneaky bird hanging out in the updrafts. Below, the piece is framed and ready to add some moody urbanity to your space.

Overcast, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
Tags: city, horizons, nfs, primatek, sold, watercolor

A Shot Away From You

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

A Shot Away From You, 5″x7″ watercolor on Arches cover black paper

The Avengers are a huge cultural phenomenon right now, and that first movie is one of my favorites. I decided to round out my original set of MCU abstracts by adding in the missing members of the OG crew. The title is from a Franz Ferdinand song, fittingly.

Hawkeye doesn’t get a lot of love in the movies, but his current comics run is pretty much amazing. Clint Barton is a genius with the bow, and a human disaster the rest of the time but somehow you can’t help but love him anyway.

The color scheme is based a little more on his comics run, but the bullseye is right on target for any version of Hawkeye.

After all, he never misses.

A Shot Away From You, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the swirling rings of violet highlighted by purple. Below, it’s sitting in a frame, waiting to go to its new home to live happily ever after.