Posts Tagged ‘zen’
Catnap
Thursday, December 8th, 2016
Catnap, 12″x9″ ink on Strathmore watercolor paper
If you’ve admired my sketchbook cats, this one is for you — a full-size zen kitty napping away, graceful sweeps of the brush creating a beautifully minimalist rendition of feline repose.
The larger size looks elegant in a frame, the simple black and white adding the perfect touch to any room.
The contrast between the loose stroke of the back and tail and the finer detail in the ears and face evokes the many contrasts inherent in a cat’s nature.
Catnap, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close-up of the delightful contrast between the delicate ears and swooping tail. Below, the art is in a frame, the larger size giving a lovely elegance to the charming image. This is one piece of cat art no one will call kitsch!
Catnap, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
Tags: black and white, brush and ink, cat, for sale, zen
Storm/City
Monday, June 8th, 2015
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
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
Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
Tags: brush and ink, city, for sale, gold, j herbin ink, storm, zen
Cat Naps
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015
Cat Naps by Amy Crook
Cats! Lazy, languid, liquid cats. I first explored this idea in a sketchy little bookmark, but of course with only room for three poses it wasn’t nearly enough.
I took inspiration from my own ridiculous pets, Belladonna and Pod, and of course the many cats on the internet.
I have trouble choosing a favorite — what’s yours?
Cat Naps, 5″x7″ brush and ink on paper.
Cat Naps, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close up of the fine brush work on this sleeping kitty, rich with texture despite the minimalist design. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, just waiting to add some extra kitty zen to your life.
Cat Naps, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: brush and ink, brush pen, cat, cats, nfs, sold, zen
Zen Teapot
Thursday, March 1st, 2012
Zen Teapot, brush drawing by Amy Crook, $59
I love the specific shape of the round bodies of certain teapots. This one isn’t perfect by any means, but the imperfection adds to its beauty to me. Despite a part of me that is all about the perfectionism, I really do dig wabi sabi and the beauty in flawed, damaged or wonky things.
Zen Teapot, 7″x5″ brush pen on paper, $59 with free shipping.
I really like how peaceful this one looks in a frame, like it would fit pretty much anywhere and just make you feel that much more Zen about life.
Zen Teapot, framed art by Amy Crook
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Categories: Daily Art, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: brush pen, for sale, zen
Weeble Buddha
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
Weeble Buddha Rubs His Own Belly for Luck by Amy Crook
This jolly little brush-pen Buddha is rubbing his own belly, that’s how lucky he feels! He’d invite you to rub with him, but he’s afraid you’d get fingerprints on your monitor.
Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces
Tags: brush pen, nfs, sold, weeble, zen
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Zen Blue Cup
Friday, December 16th, 2011
Zen Blue Cup by Amy Crook, $89
No optimists or pessimists here, this cup’s always full. In the same set as yesterday’s crimson, I have this amazing clear teal that my scanner absolutely refuses to pick up properly, so it comes out more of a royal blue. I used the same black to create the nice dark shadow to contrast with the shine on this simple blue cup. I’m a bummed I can’t find these watercolors anywhere anymore, but I used the excuse of running low to buy myself some very nice tubes for future use.
Zen Blue Cup, watercolor on paper, $89 with free shipping.
Categories: Daily Art, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: blue, for sale, watercolor, zen
Zen Red Bird
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
Zen Red Bird by Amy Crook
I was enjoying the pure, rich red pigment of one of my red Japanese watercolors, and I decided to paint something simple and zen. I added in just a touch of black for the bright eye and dark beak to create a seasonal red bird, but I think the essence of the image is in that first red swoosh down the bird’s back. It makes a good reminder to keep it simple this holiday season, and not go flying right out of the frame trying to do too much.
Zen Red Bird, 6″x6″ watercolor on paper, nfs (sold).
Categories: Daily Art, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: nfs, red, sold, watercolor, zen
2 Comments »
