Monday, April 29, 2019

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
pen and colored pencil on paper
8" x 10" (23.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201904039
© copyright Mike Kraus

Her family is from São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. A green volcanic island with a lot of exotic plants and marine life. After a recent visit, she decided she wanted to commemorate her family's village of Lombinha da Maia in a painting. It all started with a sketch.


Lombinha da Maia is on a ridge formed by the Ribeira das Faias river.


The Azores are the land of happy cows.  Unlike many cows, they are able to graze year-round in the very temperate climate.  And their joyful exclusively grass-based diet makes the best cheese.  

A rainbow of  Hydrangea flowers thrive on the islands taking over much of the landscape.  


São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
acrylic paint on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201904040
© copyright Mike Kraus

After many consultations back and forth, the piece is completed.  The vision of the sketch comes alive.  The island memories are recalled.  And I'm very fortunate to be a small part of her family's Azores journey.



And on it's way to the framer!

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Friday, April 26, 2019

Early Spring

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Early Spring
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201904038
© copyright Mike Kraus

The trees are just beginning to sprout leaves; the frozen brook begins to melt.
A building is placed on the highest ground, where the immortals reside.
There is nothing between the willow and peach trees to clutter up the scene.
Steam-like mist can be seen early in the morning on the springtime mountain.
- Qianlong Emperor

This painting would look best in a space that is dark red, dark orange, light yellow, green, dark blue, purple, black, white, gray, beige. or wood

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.


For more information or custom order, please visit:

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Bright Red Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Bright Red Birch Forest
Acrylic on canvas
16" x 20" in a frame (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm in a frame)
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/199896299/bright-red-birch-forest-original-acrylic

What’s black and white and red all over? A birch forest of course. Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me. Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming. And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge. I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

This painting would look best somewhere that light green, dark red, light yellow, blue, dark orange, dark purple, black, white, grey, beige, or wood.


More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.


For more information or custom order, please visit:

Monday, April 22, 2019

Los Angeles Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Los Angeles Alley
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201904037
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/700607221/los-angeles-alley-original-acrylic

Los Angeles is an attractive beacon of optimism.  What started as a Spanish colony of 11 people has exploded into a population of 18.7 million people.  The Chinese came to build the railroads, African Americans seeking better opportunities after World War II, Koreans to be entrepreneurial shopkeepers, Latinos who founded and built the city, along with countless other people from around the globe.  Los Angeles' diversity and openness to the world has made it the 3rd largest metropolitan economy.  Behind the thin veneer of glamour is the hard work of millions of good people.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, dark purple, black, white, gray, beige. or wood

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.



For more information or custom order, please visit:

Friday, April 19, 2019

Fields of Lavender

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Fields of Lavender
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201904036
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/614409704/fields-of-lavender-original-acrylic

Our bikes race up and down the gentle hills of Provence.  Everything has a distinct texture, the colors are vibrant, and the perfume in the air is intoxicating.  And every twisting road we turn down has countless rows of purple and blue lavender.  The heat of the Mediterranean sun presses against our backs as we pedal back to the village of Sault.  I'll never forget the fields of France.

This painting would look best in a small space that is dark red, yellow, orange, green, blue, white, black, grey, beige, or wood.

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM



Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.


Thursday, April 18, 2019

Spanish Expedition - Barcelona, Spain - Part IV

WELCOME TO
BARCELONA, SPAIN!

This is our "Gaudi Day" excursion.  Everywhere has their "weird artists."  It's incredible to me that Barcelona not only accepted their weird artists, but have supported and encouraged them in ways I've never imagined.  Barcelona took these crazy, wild ideas from their creative people for some very large and expensive projects.  Taking that risk is what makes Barcelona the world-class city it is today.

The "Block of Discord (Illa de la Discòrdia)."  A name given to the buildings because they all seem to compete for your attention.  All constructed by famous Moderista (Art Nouveau) architects.

Casa Amatller (https://amatller.org/entradas/) was created for the Amatller Family Chocolatiers by Josep Puig I Cadafalch.


Interior of Casa Amatller.  Keep walking and you'll find the Amatller cafe and chocolate shop.

Detail of Casa Amatller's Neo-Catalan Gothic facade.


Well, this is disappointing...  Casa Batlló (https://www.casabatllo.es/en/) having renovation work.

A model of Casa Batlló before and after Antoni Gaudi remodeled the structure.  So, you can kind of get a sense of the building.  But, I suggest looking up photos online.  It's worth it if you're not familiar with the house.

Casa Lleó Morera (http://www.casalleomorera.com/en/) was completed in 1906 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner





Fundació Antoni Tàpies (https://fundaciotapies.org/en/) is a contemporary art museum mostly dedicated to Antoni Tàpies' work.

Taking a bit of a break in the Jardí del Palau Robert

Hotel Casa Fuster (https://www.lhw.com/hotel/Hotel-Casa-Fuster-Barcelona-Spain?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2sCQ5r_Q4QIVg2SGCh00DQ6VEAAYASAAEgJm_vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) was designed by Lluís Domènch i Montaner in 1907.  Mariano Fuster hired him to build the most expensive house in the city as a gift to his wife.

Casa de les Punxes (https://casadelespunxes.com/en/) by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Bartomeu Terradas Brutau had the house built for his three sisters.

Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece Sagrada Familia (https://sagradafamilia.org/en/home).  

From 1883 until Antoni Gaudi was killed by a streetcar in 1926, he worked on the construction of this church.  Work continues today and they are optimistic that it will be completed by 2026 for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

The Passion Facade realized by Josep Maria Subirachs in 2005.

The exterior of the building is designed to tell the story of Jesus Christ.  This side of the building is recounting the torture and execution of Jesus.


Just look at the expression of agony in that face.

The unfinished Glory Facade will tell the story of dying, the Last Judgement, hell, and finding heaven through God.  This may take a while to complete though.  In the 1950s, the Mayor of Barcelona sold the land across the street to developers of some very ugly apartments.  Obviously, he didn't think the church would ever be completed.  Now, Barcelona is trying to buy the land back to tear the buildings down so they can complete the project as planned.

The central spire is under construction and planned to stant 560 feet high.  So, about twice as high as the towers you see already completed


The Nativity Facade, which was the only part of the church completed during Gaudi's life.

Every inch and detail of the church has a meaning.  The Nativity Facade tells the story of the birth of Christ and the Holy Family (the Sagrada Familia), whom the church is honoring. 

Jesus lovingly looked over by Joseph, Mary and a countless number of angels, animals, flora, and other beings.

Probably one of the most emotional and horrific statues I've ever seen.  Herod the Great hears about Jesus' birth and orders all children under the age of 2 to be killed believing the "King of the Jews" would take his crown.  This is a mother pleading and failing with a Roman soldier not to kill her infant.



It's an incredible feat to conduct this much construction with the over 3,000,000 visitors per year.  That's over 8,200 per day if there were open 365 days per year.


The interior is no less impressive.  The mathematics and engineering involved to keep this building from collapsing must be very intense. 

Just a few of the 56 column ranging from 36-to-72 feet tall resembling a forest of trees. 


The colored stained glass splashes light throughout the light colored interior.

The church is about 48,000 square feet and can accommodate around 8,000 people.  Not sure if that includes the 1,000 members that can fit into the choir.

The Spanish sun blasting through the stained glass.


A view into a very traditional crypt where Gaudi is buried.  The church's original architect was Francisco de Paula del Villar.  And his design was still massive, but much more conservative.  After a dispute, he resigned and Gaudi asked for the job and advocated for the structure we are seeing rise today.

Megan on Avinguda de Gaudí.


Looking the other way on Avinguda de Gaudí

Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul - (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau) (https://www.santpaubarcelona.org/en/visits-sant-pau-art-nouveau-site) is the main building of the 26 building complex built between 1901 to 1930.

A new Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Paul - (Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau) building has been constructed on the back of the site.  While this has not been an operating medical center since 2009, it is still in use.  Currently, it's a museum and cultural center and recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Park Güell (https://parkguell.barcelona/en/home-en). And the only proof of bad weather we've seen in the Iberian Peninsula.

Casa Martí Trias i Domènech.  Park Güell was originally envisioned as an upscale housing development.  A neighborhood of high-quality homes, new technology, accessible amenities, with an artistic flair.  Unfortunately, for Eusebi Güell, it was a rocky hill far outside of Barcelona with terrible access to roads.  So, only two homes were ever built.  Güell 's heirs sold the property to Barcelona in 1918 for use as a flower nursery, school, and public park.

Colonnaded pathway


Looking toward Barcelona

View of Barcelona Harbor from top of Park Güell

View of Sagrada Familia fromPark Güell

Park Güell is a small public park that attracts tourists from around the world.  Unfortunately, that can cause a lot of problems with overcrowding, structural damage, and other related issues.  To protect this historic and cultural asset, the "Monumental Zone" with all the main structures requires a fee to enter and is limited to 800 people at a time.

Wandered around the area waiting for our timed entrance into the park.  While just outside the park, this was a tower of what appears to be the world's fanciest shed.

With a full day of walking, we thought it'd be a good idea to take a few minutes to relax at Bar Piranya (https://barpiranya.wixsite.com/piranya) before heading into the Monumental Zone.  Didn't realize that their large Moritz beer (https://www.wegow.com/conciertos/concierto-de-mourn-en-barcelona-ciclo-backstage/) was "Bavarian-sized."

Entrance of the Monumental Zone of Park Güell

Guard House (Casa del Guarda)




El Drac (The Dragon) is a crowd pleasing mosaic sculpture on the main stairway.  It's also a reason why this park now has strict restrictions.  It was vandalized in 2007 and had to be restored.

Sala Hipòstila (pillared hall) was intended to be a market to serve the 60 houses of the development.  But, it was never completed.  These 86 columns support a public square.  

One of several mosaic medallions in Sala Hipòstila

Deep inside Sala Hipòstila looking back toward the city.


Close up of the broken glass and tile Gaudí used to create the park

The public square above the Sala Hipòstila having some minor maintenance done.  The ground is usually unpaved dirt though.  This is so when it rains (like it will be soon) the water can be collected and distributed to plants throughout the park.  And where I'm standing was the planned location for the "Greek Theatre" to entertain the residents of the failed housing community.





Form and function.  This pathway not only looks interesting.  But on the right side it acts as a retaining wall.  And the columns and part above are holding up a road.

The Portico of the Washerwoman is curious.  Like Sagrada Familia, every square inch of the park is packed with symbolism and meaning.  It would take a lifetime to find and decode every detail.

Tree on top of the terraced wall.



Casa Milà, nicknamed La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry) (http://www.lapedrera.com/en) is another Antoni Gaudí creation commissioned by Pere Milà i Camps.  Construction took place from 1906 to 1912.


Detail of  Casa Milà-La Pedrera's balcony railing

Interior courtyard of Casa Milà-La Pedrera.  These areas help the apartments stay cool in the summer.  And provide light to the interior.

This is the landlord's stairwell.  This gave him a private entrance to avoid the tenants.  But, I assume they could always see him coming home...

Attic of Casa Milà-La Pedrera.  These odd shaped arches did many things.  1) It gave the building its unique shape, 2) provided ventilation to keep building cool in summer and warm in the winter, 3) space for tenants to store items and perform other tasks.

An apartment of a middle-class tenant

Megan checking out this very well organized children's room


Gaudi's vision of nature playing out on his Modernista (Art Nouveau) ceiling


The roof of Casa Milà-La Pedrera where 30 chimneys guide you for a view of the sky and the surrounding city of Barcelona.


Megan overlooking the atrium courtyard.

The private space behind the homes of the Eixample.


View of the Passeig de Gràcia



Megan looking down the Passeig de Gràcia


Overlooking the Carrer de Provença


Arch purposefully framing Gaudi's other masterpiece, Sagrada Familia


And, with that, we spent our last bit of time celebrating Barcelona with Antoni Gaudi.

Barcelona - El Prat Airport (https://www.barcelona-airport.com/).  It amazes me how Europe has been preparing their infrastructure for the 21st century.  I've been fortunate to visit Portugal, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany in recent years and it seems like they are embracing (with a few grumbles) the future.



Goodbye Barcelona!  

It was an incredible experience.  I've been to very few places that are this exciting.  There's activity everywhere at all times.  Sights to see around every block.  It's sophisticated enough to be special, but casual enough to be fun.  Barcelona takes pride in where they live and it shows by how they reach for the future while respecting their history.

See more of our vacation at:



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