Brushstrokes & Transformation: An Interview With Mike Kraus

In this interview with Mike Kraus, we delve into the captivating journey of an artist whose work serves as both a canvas of color and a canvas of values — honesty, kindness, and fairness. From his formative years in Muskegon, Michigan, Mike’s artistic voyage has been a dynamic exploration of the intricate interplay between the external world and his inner creativity.  Continue Reading at: https://medium.com/arts-o-magazine/mike-krause-9dd86995d76c

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Mike 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 Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Lurie Children's 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 thousands 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Sun Setting On Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Sun Setting On Lake Michigan

acrylic paint on canvas

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

201707074

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/205652659/sun-setting-on-lake-michigan-original

My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire. A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm. The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake. The scent of the shoreline pairs perfectly with the changing colors of the sky. The waves gently crashing on the shoreline of another perfect summer night.

We all have places that feel like home. Reminders of a carefree childhood. Experiences that made us who we are. We have a connection to them as they gave us our sense of the world. How different would our lives be without these spaces?

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

Mike 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 thousands 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Sun Setting On Lake Michigan

Sun Setting On Lake Michigan, 2017

acrylic on canvas

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

201707074

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/205652659/sun-setting-on-lake-michigan-original

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire.  A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm are the price of admission.  The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake.  The scent of the shoreline pares perfectly with the changing colors of the sky.  I faintly hear my friends voices over the water splashing as they collect wood and prepare for a perfect summer night.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Want to see my work in person?  Then visit these galleries:

LAST FEW DAYS! Rochester Contemporary Arts Center (RoCo)  137 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 461-2222 http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/

On the Shore of Lake Michigan at Art Cats Gallery

 OUR SUMMER COLORS ARE SHOWING!

Art Cats Gallery is featuring the artwork of Mike Kraus, an exclusive series of landscapes both real and imaginative.  "Since Muskegon is my hometown, I wanted to create pieces for Art Cats (Gallery) that capture West Michigan's beauty," Kraus said, "It's a uniquely radiant area that you don't fully appreciate until you've been away for a while and return."

Art Cats Gallery is located in the historic and eclectic Lakeside District of Muskegon, a neighborhood on the shores of Muskegon Lake leading toward Lake Michigan.  They carry a fabulous selection of original paintings, prints, pottery, glass, and an amazing array of artist made jewelry.  In 2017, Art Cats celebrated 18 years in business and are excited for the future as West Michigan's premier gallery.  The work of owner Louise Hopson is always in abundance with her studio adjacent to the gallery.

Art Cats Gallery

1845 Lakeshore Dr

Muskegon, Michigan

(231) 755-7606

http://artcatsgallery.com/

Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm

On the Shore of Lake Michigan, 2017

Acrylic on Canvas

16" x 20 (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit Art Cats Gallery

It's been hot and humid while I've been at work.  Once 5 o' clock hits, I'm all set to flee into the blazing sun toward the beach.  I drop my towel, keys, and other items into the scalding hot sand and make my way to the cool water.   There's just a gentle splash at the shoreline on the calm waters.  The rays of the sun still penetrating my skin as I wade just beyond the sand bar.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Sun Setting On Lake Michigan

 Sun Setting On Lake Michigan, 2017

acrylic on canvas

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

201706060

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/205652659/sun-setting-on-lake-michigan-original

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire.  A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm are the price of admission.  The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake.  The scent of the shoreline pares perfectly with the changing colors of the sky.  I faintly hear my friends voices over the water splashing as they collect wood and prepare for a perfect summer night.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Want to see my work in person?  Then visit these galleries:

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/

Rochester Contemporary Arts Center (RoCo)  137 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 461-2222 http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

You're Invited To See My Work At Art Cats Gallery​

You're Invited To See My Work At

Art Cats Gallery

1845 Lakeshore Dr

Muskegon, Michigan

(231) 755-7606

fatcatclay@aol.com

http://artcatsgallery.com

Art Cats Gallery is proud to feature the artwork of Mike Kraus.  His pieces explore nature and our interaction with it.  Using traditional paint on canvas, his works capture the vibrancy and solitude of our natural surroundings.  "My focus is to extract the emotions of each scene and transform it on canvas by emphasizing the details that make the vision unique." say Kraus.  Visit Art Cats Gallery Tuesday - Saturday between 11am - 5pm.

About Mike Kraus

Mike 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.

​

About Art Cats Gallery

Art Cats Gallery is Muskegon's premier gallery of fine contemporary craft.  Featuring over 45 artists and artisans, year round hours and the studio home of  artist owner Louise Hopson.

A Stumble Down Memory Lane

Found a ton of photos in a box while cleaning out my childhood bedroom.  What a great opportunity to embarrass myself and the one's I love.

My Jim Harbaugh grin at some ice cream parlor in Allendale, Michigan in 2002.  These kids to the right were doing something funny that was not captured on film.  But, I like the picture all the same...

"Excuse me Mr. Queer, will you take a picture with my sons?"  Nothing like being 15 years old and taking a trip down to Chicago to see The Queers, the Groovie Ghoulies, Screw 32, and Alkaline Trio (their first show) at the Metro.  That was also the trip where the highway caught on fire in Gary, Indiana and no one seemed to care.  They just drove through it.

Mike Nummerdor after the Chicago concert.  We stayed at some hotel in Michigan City, Indiana and stayed up all night (which was easy if you drank enough Bubba Cola).  I'll have to put up the pictures of us at the outlet mall next to the nuclear plant and other oddities at some point.

Meerkat Mike.  Probably about 1997 when the Nummerdor family moved into their home on the corner of Forest Park and Lake Harbor.  Lynne tasked us with removing a post at the end of the driveway, which ended up being a far bigger task than expected.  We did far more damage than help on that project.   

Nick Nummerdor as a groundhog.  

"Mom.  You just hit that button.  No, not that one.  The other one.  No.  What?  Did it go off?"  This was part of some project I was working on .  There are a series of these photos trying to instruct my mom on how to use the weird, cheap camera I use to own.   

Hey!  There's a gnome behind that rock!

J.T. Law teamwork retreat to St. Andrew's Hall in Pontiac, Michigan to see NoFX.  We're with Fat Mike, the lead singer and bassist.  Ben looks confused because he thought he was just some random guy we met in the parking lot.

Nick, Greg from the Bouncing Souls, and myself before the show at St. Andrew's Hall 

Ah, Ben figured out how I scored us free tickets to the show and we're not just randomly harassing people in the parking lot.  

 Grand Rapids is Burning!  On my way to something and got stuck when a building burned down near Division Street.  

Paul Bourdon, Me, Roddy Moon at our high school graduation in 1999 

Rodd Moon trying on an Inspector Gadget trench coat at ValuLand (RIP).   

And, more art.  A cool envelope by fellow SAIC alum, Jeni Gifford. 

The Zine Anthology

In December 1996, Mike Nummerdor and I were hanging out at his house listening to one of his countless CDs or mix tapes reading Maximumrocknroll, Punk Planet and various other things.  Bored out of our minds over x-mas break as we had no means of transportation, much of our time was spent on finding ways to fill our time.  At some point, the idea of starting our own zine came up.  This is a tribute to all the people who wrote articles, edited, provided art, bought, sold, traded and so much more.  


Issue #1:  We have no idea what we are doing.  The name, Schism, was inspired by our high school social studies teacher (My Captain) who introduced us to the term.  For weeks, Mike and I wrote articles and created drawings.  We recruited writers, including the infamous J. T. Law.  After 5+ weeks of development, we called every printing press in the yellow pages to discover that we could not afford to have it published.  We ended up at Office Max and spent over three hours at a copy machine and spending every penny I had, which was only $64 from a paper route.  Again, not knowing what we were doing, we didn't even have a back page.  So, to fix that oversight, I scribbled with a marker "Send us stuff please..." to create probably my favorite back page.  In the end, we printed 80 copies and sold them for $1 a piece.  We sold out in 2-3 days and largely covered our costs.  When my friend Joe asked me "when's the next issue comin' out?" I only remember having a sense of panic.  In the end, the most important element of the issue was Chad Crowell's article Why I Hate Marilyn Manson.  That piece irritated so many fans and please so many detractors that it had to be a success.


Issue #2: New and improved!  We sort of figured things out and had a lot of great suggestions that we implemented.  The most visible being background images and better graphics overall.  A few new writers added to the group.  Also, a full page of the first amendment of the Constitution was placed because a few high school officials tried to prevent sales to students.  Our response was a threat of a lawsuit that would have prevented any kind of fundraiser or sales on school property.  


Issue #3:  (Marilyn) Manson's Positive Side by Jeremy Whiteman.  This probably was the most important piece written early on.  This was a retort to an article in the first issue and we were criticized for it.  Our reply was to "write an article to retort."  Obviously, some questioned if we'd publish both sides.  But, we did and we learned a lot from the experience and gained considerable credibility.  Mike Nummerdor also wrote our first (kinda) interview/experience with the music scene.  It's about a road trip to Chicago to see The Queers, Groovie Ghoulies, Screw 32, and Alkaline Trio (which was their first or one of their first shows).  A priceless piece just to read about Nummerdor's mom, Lynne.


Issue #4: A few more writers joined and we were really starting to figure out what worked and what did not.


Issue #5:  Notice in the top right corner it says "WE MADE IT TO...  #5."  We were excited about this because we came across something that say something like, "90% of publications fail to make it to a fifth issue."  Not only that, but sales were so good that you notice in the bottom right corner it says "2nd pressing."  This issue had a lot of improvements such as Mike Nummerdor's real band interview with Gracefully Crippled, Dustin Malmquist's humorous exposé on a lack of stall doors in a bathroom, a few more writers and artists.  The biggest improvement was recruiting Brandy Miller to become our Editor-In-Chief.


Issue #6: I have no idea how or where we sold the summer issues.  But, there were a few changes and improvements while we were out of school.  I have to say that Suckie Camp by Brian Cook and Nick Nummerdor is probably one of my favorite articles.  Gilana Alpert (1981-2007) finally revealed herself as a contributor when she discovered that she'd be our first female writer.  Mike Nummerdor and Ryan Link also share the credit for introducing comic strips to the zine.


Issue #7: Free Sticker!  Another popular issue that went into a second pressing.  Mike Nummerdor's interview with The Skeptics, who played almost every show I saw in Muskegon Michigan.  This issue also introduced the comic strips by Max Ryznar.


Issue #8: J. T. Law educates people on the proper way to order from Pizza Hut.  Mike Nummerdor continues with his coverage of the Michigan music scene with an article about Warped Tour.  Our first music review of Evilution by Circle of Fear and a self-titled album by The Dead Sea Squirrels.  This marks our first political attack of the local city government for considering turning a 10-acre park along Lake Michigan into a housing development.  Another article criticized the $42 million renovation of the local high school.


Issue #9: Brian Cook interview with Scratch N' Sniff.  Jeremy Whiteman describes the infamous Ice Pick music venue.  Music reviews of BMX by Shoot the Gift and Two by Autobots.  More coverage of the local city government's attempts to turn a Lake Michigan park into a housing development.


Issue #10: If I got a tattoo, it'd probably be of this cover.  Brandy Miller, our Editor-In-Chief, became our first foreign correspondent as she wrote about being an exchange student in Germany.  Brian Cook interviewed Kepi of the Groovie Ghoulies and Mike Nummerdor met with the local band Waldemar Daa.  A music review of the compilation called Be a Ho! and Going Nowhere Fast by Slo-Poke.  We also started getting so much mail that I had to rent a PO Box.  


Issue #11:  Look at the bottom.  We attempted to produce an e-zine in December 1997.  Never figured it out; but ahead of the curve still with dial up internet connections.  Interviews with the bands Operation: Cliff Clavin and Slo=Poke.  Reviews of Smorgasbord  by Unilever and self-titled The Skeptics (by then; "Muskegon's Ska Giants).  


Issue #12: New writers continue to join.  Jay Unidos, who really became my zine mentor, influenced a lot of what we did after he started contributing.  Josh Engineer, who I just realized is from Rochester NY (where I live now) also joined the staff.  Mike Nummerdor interviewed Fudge Gun and Paula Kukulka met with the Deluxtone Rockets.  Reviews of CDs (that's right, it was the 90s) by Stinkaholic, Christ On a Crutch, Punk Rock Compilation Volume One by 206 Records, and White Trash Debutantes.  


Issue #13: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!  A lot of nostalgia and we really became artists of the cut-and-paste aesthetic.  Rod Moon is introduced in what I'll call a micro-article.  Casey Anderson and Ben Johnson have comic strips.  Band interviews with Anti-Flag, No Class, Ferd Mert, and RooSteak.  Mike Nummerdor started Skoog! Distro along with reviewing the albums by The Incrowd, The Piss Shivers, My So-Called Band, and Snap-Her.  Also, first issue of the zine with Editor-In-Chief Gina Lack.


Issue #14: More political agitation about the local government's attempts to destroy a public park along Lake Michigan.  Coverage of the Schism Zine Anniversary Show that featured nine bands.  Stephanie Rose was amazing at organizing one of the biggest local shows I've ever seen.  J. T. Law reveals his true identity as a band?  Action Rod Moon introduces an extreme sports section.  Damon Hoeltzel becomes our music reviewer with NoFX, Zeke, and New Bomb Turks.  We have interviews with The Throw Downs and Chick Flyck.  Louise Allen of New Zealand educates us about life outside the United States.  


Issue #15: Jay Unidos induces a few doses about the DIY ethic.  J. T. Law does an anthropology study of Denny's.  Album reviews of Scratch N' Sniff, Antronnylon, Gas Huffers, and the Red Aunts.  Mike Nummerdor interviews the Dropkick Murphy's.  A personal piece by Carrie Swinburne and a comic by Ryan Link.  


Issue #16: Action Rod introduces us to sandboarding.  Andy Coulon, who now runs a zine library at the Jacksonville Florida Public Library, has a piece about the Tank Man of Tiananmen Square.  Album reviews of The Humpers, J. Bartle, Maybe Later, and Record Ignite.  An interview with the band Drive.  Comics by Dave Scholtons and Ben Johnson.


Issue #17: Becky Gradisher writes an article with actual sources.  The Schism/J. T. Law (band) crew with Fat Mike of NoFX.  Album reviews of Fracas, No Class, God Awful, Bobbykork Wally, and Violent Society.  An interview with Greg from the Bouncing Souls.


Issue #18:  There was a summer break for the zine as I spent a summer in Germany.  You can see it had a great influence by the spelling of the month on the cover.  This issue is also the first one to use Photoshop.  Lots of articles about Europe, the music scene, police relations, transportation, and healthcare.  Album reviews of Hole, Rancid, Local H, and The Big Wheels.  There's an Action Rod Sweepstakes and a comic by Drew Yeaton.  This was the last issue of Schism Zine as I had to focus on preparing for college.


Issue #19: A New Tomorrow was my first independent zine from August 2000.  It was also free (which is why all zines afterwards were only 8 1/2" x 5 1/2") as this was a summer project while I was out of college.  J. T. Law was the only other contributor.  


Issue #21: Land of the Weird was published in July 2004.  This zine probably the most carefully crafted I've ever produced.  Everything except for the text was hand drawn.  I was heavily influence my medieval manuscripts at the time and that directed the layout.  Also, moving back to Michigan from Chicago gave me rose colored lenses of my home state.  


Issue #22: Back to A New Tomorrow and it is almost a rebuttal to Issue #21.  When this was started, I completed graduate school in Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved by to Muskegon, Michigan.  This was followed a few months later by moving back to Chicago.  Everything except for the external pages were hand drawn.  While the photo looks like it's a re-enactment of the French Revolution, it's actually from the parking lot of Comiskey Park immediately after the White Sox won the World Series.


Issue #23: Published in February 2007, it was probably the most personal zine I've written.  I was re-reading a lot of Aaron Cometbus and other zines I found down the street at Quimby's Bookstore in Chicago.  No more hand drawings.  This time it includes all original photographs.  There's also a comic strip from Drew Yeaton.


Issue #24: The last published zine from August 2007.  The cost of printing became prohibitive and I was generating far more readers online.  Again, a more personal style and observations of life in Chicago.  All original photographs as well.

Thank you for joining me on my walk through memory lane.  These recently have come back into my possession as I have my own home and can store my own junk now.  These zines really did change my life.  It was because I made countless friends that I care for to this day.  It allowed me access to so many experience I would otherwise not have like going on stage with my favorite bands, meeting people I admired, and it was a great way to introduce myself to people I would otherwise had no reason to share life with.  There are way too many people to thank individually over the years and I hope you know who you are and how much I appreciate everything you have done.
PS-If I have made an error, please don't hesitate to let me know as this was largely done from memory.  MikeKKraus@gmail.com