Works in Progress (Amy Crehore)

 Inspiration- windows

Intuitive composition in sketchbook, enlarged and refined as a drawing.

Starting another painting from the new drawing, working on easel next to 

my other unfinished piece. 

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Works in Progress by Amy Crehore©2015

The Art of Amy Crehore

"Snake Tamer's Ditty" painting by Amy Crehore (sold)

"Snake Tamer's Ditty" 12" x 24" oil on linen by Amy Crehore 2007
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One of my larger Monkey Love paintings"Snake Tamer's Ditty"

will be headed to Seattle this week to the home of a collector of mine. 

I will be sad to see it go.

This painting was shown earlier at Ad Hoc Gallery in Brooklyn, NY  

and at The Shore Institute of Contemporary Art in NJ. 

It was also featured on boingboing .

I painted my first monkey with a sailor hat in 2002. 

That painting had a little girl in it.
It was printed in the award book "American Illustration".
In 2005 & 2006, I did a series of monkey love 

paintings for Blab! art shows in L.A. (Copronason).They were 

also shown at Applegate Gallery (Santa Monica) 

and Roq La Rue(Seattle) and M Modern (Palm Springs) galleries. 

Most of the monkey paintings sold quickly. Many right off my easel. 

One became a framed print available through Pressure Printing. 

I made others into giclees available on my website.
 There were also some works
with monkeys in my solo show at Thinkspace Gallery in L.A. (2009)-
including some antique ukuleles.
contact:amy@amycrehore.com

The Art of Amy Crehore

New Painting, "Waiting Room" by Amy Crehore 2015

Here's my painting finished. It's 8" x 10" oil on linen. Click image to enlarge. 

I'm calling it "Waiting Room".

©Amy Crehore 2015

The Art of Amy Crehore 

UPDATE: And here is my newly finished pastel/charcoal drawing (3/13/15):

Waiting Room drawing by ©Amy Crehore 2015

Inquire about my originals amy@amycrehore.com

I'll be showing my art in Tokyo this summer.

Starting new work

If you have been following my instagram , you may have 

seen my latest works in progress. 

I sketched an intuitive piece in pencil first. 

Then I did a drawing in conte crayon (not yet finished) and 

moved on to oil on linen this week. I also tried it in gouache last week, but did not like the results. 

It is an interior scene with figures which I drew from my head. (No models or references.)

I am continually working on new things and I'm excited about an exhibit in Tokyo that I was invited to participate in (this summer). More about that later.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Sorting through Archives (Illustration)

 Stacks of Playboy Magazines from 1991 - 2002 that my illustrations are published in.

A spread I did for Playboy, issue Jan 1992. My photo appears in the middle of the Playbill.

Here's an example of an illustration I did for Esquire magazine in 1991. 

A story by Robert Stone (who just died this year). 

I have done plenty of illustration work over the years for magazines and book publishers. 

Just look at the stack of Playboys alone that my work has appeared in (above). Eleven years of regular assignments.
Kerig Pope at Playboy was the first art director for a "big" magazine to call me in 1991, followed by Rhonda Rubenstein at Esquire. 

I have many more big name magazines and drawers of original illustrations to
sort through and catalogue like the example of Esquire above.

Right now, my website shows only part of my career history 

with an emphasis on my fine art.
I am working on it and I am working on writing a better bio of my entire art career.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Presenting Tickler # 3: "Twitch" Concert Ukulele designed by Amy Crehore, built by Lou Reimuller

You will find more information at the bottom of the photo stream and some links.

(Click on image above to enlarge)

Presenting the Tickler #3- A Concert Ukulele, “Twitch” by Amy Crehore (instrument designer, painter, illustrator) and Lou Reimuller (luthier, sculptor, musician and creator of Teenar): a uniquely designed and painted concert ukulele by artist Amy Crehore, lovingly hand-built to Amy's design with great attention to detail by luthier Lou Reimuller.

Featuring:

1.   Honduras mahogany sides with a beautiful, figured mahogany back

2.   Carbon fiber reinforced mahogany neck with ebony center stripe on back

3.   Maple top hand-painted with original painting by artist Amy Crehore

4.   Hand-carved ebony bridge (Amy’s unique scroll design, sculpted by Lou Reimuller), bone saddle, ebony bridge pins with pearl dots

5.   Bound catwood (a.k.a. ziracote wood) fingerboard

6.   Bindings and back stripe made of boltaron, wood veneer, and fiber

7.   Tiny hand-carved bow tie on headstock sculpted by Lou Reimuller, endgraft inlay, heel cap, top inlay- all are made of stabilized green dyed figured maple

8.   Amy’s uniquely designed headstock is enhanced by an original painting. Painted areas are varnished with polyurethane (hard, abrasion-resistant finish).

9.   “Peghed” brand geared tuners

10. French polished back, sides and neck

11. Interior braces made of Adirondack spruce

12. Ebony nut

13. Bound oval sound hole, Tickler Ukulele label inside

14. Amazingly beautiful harp-like tone

15. Most of the wood has been aged for over 30 years

16. Dimensions: total length 23 ½”, scale length 15”, side depth 2 1/2” -2 7/8” , upper bout across 6 ¼”, lower bout 8”, body length 11 1/8”, waist 5” (Large and deep body)

Twitch was the name of a cat who inspired this one-of-a-kind fine art ukulele. Here's the link to process photos of this ukulele being made. And, here's the link to the only other ukulele that I designed from scratch, a pineapple soprano (Tickler #2, 2009, sold). Huge thanks go to Lou Reimuller (luthier) for his incredible craftsmanship and dedicated, hard work on both of these rare and special instruments. Note: the concert size is larger than a soprano.

Inquire: amy@amycrehore.com
The Art of Amy Crehore

Thanks for posting about this ukulele, BOINGBOING- link boingboing 
And there is a new interview with me about this uke on Architects and Artisans 
and Huff Post  

A New Painting, Bathers' Club by Amy Crehore 2014

Bathers' Club 2014, 12" x 14" oil on linen by Amy Crehore (click on image to enlarge)

The Art of Amy Crehore
inquire: amy@amycrehore.com

Painting Progress: Tickler Uke #3 (Crehore)

I sketched out my idea on the body of the uke and blocked in some color. I have a general idea of how this will go, but things can always can change as I paint. I will strive for a harmonious design, yet the main image will be very much like one of my oil paintings. I am using the green inlay, the carved bridge and the shape of the headstock as an integral part of my painted design. This photo shows some of the side wood (gorgeous mahogany), black binding and green/black inlay at bottom.

The Art of Amy Crehore

(See previous posts for earlier steps in progress)

Painting Tickler Uke #3 (Crehore)

I sketched this design out for the body of the new "TWITCH" concert ukulele that Lou

Reimuller built. See my earlier post for the headstock design. More to come.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Progress - Painting Tickler Uke #3 (Crehore)

Painting a custom ukulele is a delicate process- especially a uke that I designed and that took more than a few years to realize. I am slowly working my way down from the headstock to the body.

See the tiny green bow tie that Lou carved? It will be mounted under the cat's chin. It is only one of the sculptural details on this very special concert uke. P.S. This cat is far from finished, this is just a progress photo taken with my ipad.

The Art of Amy Crehore

 



Finishing up two new works (Crehore paintings)

Studio shot 6/10/13

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Nudes in Nature

Painting by Emile Chambon

 Painting by Henri Rousseau

 

A couple of paintings I recently discovered - one by Emile Chambon of two nude women in the woods. One girl is standing up and displaying a just little bit of herself. The other girl is revealing absolutely nothing of herself with a cloth draped perfectly over her private parts, but she is looking intently at the other one. This painting has a wonderful sense of humor as does some of the other work by this artist. Chambon seems to rely heavily on compositional elements taken directly from Balthus in many of his paintings, but this is a nice example of his unique work.

The other painting is by Henri Rousseau. It is a charming scene of a big black dog getting it on with a lovely nude who happens to have a mirror in her hand.

(Just noticed the mirror!) This is a painting that I had never seen before.

Henri, you are a bad boy!

This is yet another example of humor in art history.

The great masters of art knew how to have fun.

Thank god for these artists. They keep me on track.

Now, back to painting....

I am finishing up my two new ones. Stay tuned!

 

The Art of Amy Crehore

 

(Thanks, Ralph Paine for sharing Henri Rousseau image) 



Tickler Ukulele #3 progress!

Tickler uke #3 progress showing green inlay and carved bridge, a photo by Amy Crehore on Flickr.

Here is the front of Tickler Uke #3 showing green and black inlay design and carved ebony bridge. Lou Reimuller has constructed this concert uke with amazing attention to detail. It is almost ready for me to paint the front. The back is made of beautiful figured mahogany. (See more progress shots in my Tickler Uke #3 2013 flickr set.)
Design: Amy Crehore, Luthier: Lou Reimuller

New Works in Progress by Amy Crehore

I'm working away to try and finish two new canvases on my easel.

Here are some glimpses of my progress.

 

The Art of Amy Crehore

 



A Blue Ball for Today

"Blue Orb" by Amy Crehore 2005, oil on paper, image size 6 3/4"

 

Since artist Jeff Koons has a new show in NYC of blue balls (must be "in"), I am posting a painting that I did exactly 8 years (May 10, 2005) ago called "Blue Orb". It is part of my "Little Pierrot" series. Most of these paintings can be viewed HERE.

 

The Art of Amy Crehore

 

Durer's self-portrait and my painting "The Bribe"

 Albrecht Durer, Self-portrait at 13, 1484

"The Bribe" by Amy Crehore, oil on linen, 18" x 24", 2003

 

This is a painting called "The Bribe" that I completed in 2003. It is based on Albrecht Durer's earliest known work, his self-portrait at age 13. I was always intrigued by this drawing (done in 1484) by Durer. I think I was also looking at Martin Johnson Heade's landscapes at the time. Some of my earlier works have references to images in art history.

Here's the actual painting hanging on my wall above my computer. It has never been shown anywhere (although it did win a chosen award in a national AI competition).
The Art of Amy Crehore
artofamycrehore.blogspot.com

 

"The Tutu" painting by Amy Crehore

Here's an earlier painting of mine that is hanging on one of my walls. Oil on linen, 20" x 24". The girl was inspired by Matisse. This painting features a vintage Regal tenor guitar (one that I own) and a yawning cat. 

The Art of Amy Crehore

artofamycrehore.blogspot.com

My portrait of Jessica Watson - The Art of Doing

Jessica Watson by Amy Crehore 2013, oil on linen, 8" x 10"

 

I created this portrait of the amazing Jessica Watson for Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield's blog dedicated to their brand new book The Art of Doing: How Superachievers Do What They Do and How They Do It So Well. There are many wonderful interviews in this book, including one with friend Mark Frauenfelder of Boing Boing .

At the age of 16, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

The interview with her in the book is quite fascinating.

The authors share some of it today on their blog, have a look: 

LINK .

You can buy the book on amazon here.

 

 

The Art of Amy Crehore

What am I working on?

I'm drawing with very small brushes using waterproof, fadeproof ink right now.

Just having fun.

Here's a sketchbook example that I drew yesterday. Letting the ideas flow and learning new techniques by practicing.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Original Paintings by Amy Crehore

Although many of my original paintings have already sold, I still have some wonderful original works available in my inventory for collectors, such as the ones shown below. These were all previously exhibited in gallery shows in Brooklyn and NYC (Ad Hoc Gallery, Last Rites) or Los Angeles (Corey Helford, Thinkspace, Robert Berman Gallery) or The Shore Institute of Contemporary Art (NJ). All of these are oils on stretched linen or linen panels. Here are some choice pieces that represent some of my best work. Various sizes.
All images ©Amy Crehore

The Art of Amy Crehore

 Snake Tamer's Ditty

 Weed Smoker's Dream

 A Moonlit Ride

Deja Vu Waltz

 Song of the Sea

 Hokum Hallelujah

 Song of the Wind

Please Don't Bug Me Blues

 The Art of Amy Crehore 

 Second Fiddle Infatuation

 Feed the Bear Blues

Lolita #2

 The Art of Amy Crehore 
There are 3 sections of fine art paintings on my website currently.
I also have preliminary drawings,
one-of-a-kind painted antique ukes, limited edition prints and t-shirts.
More things to be added and more things to show you...
stay tuned.
Contact: amy@amycrehore.com
All images ©Amy Crehore