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/

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/

On the Shores of Lake Michigan

On the Shores of Lake Michigan, 2017

acrylic paint on canvas board

350 dpi

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/530916595/on-the-shores-of-lake-michigan-original

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

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

THE SHOW IS OPEN NOW!

THANKS SO MUCH TO UNION PLACE COFFEE ROASTERS for hosting a wonderful open house last night.  We had a great time and met lots of fun new friends.  I really enjoyed the coffee roasting demonstrations, Sweet and Cute coffee syrup tasting on ice cream, Dolce Cupcakery's treats, Southern Tier Brewing Company stout and IPA, and Rochester, NY's mayoral candidate Rachel Barnhart discuss her plans.

There's still time to see my work and have some amazing coffee too!  Whitman Work Co. will have my pieces up until May 25th.  More information at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/433621963677913/

Union Place Coffee Roasters

Genesee Valley Regional Market

900 Jefferson Rd. Building 15 Suite 1504

Rochester, NY 14623

(585) 784-0404

www.UnionPlaceCoffeeRoasters.com

Store Hours:

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Thursday 9am-6pm

Saturday 9am-3pm

On the Shore of Lake Michigan

 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: https://www.etsy.com/listing/268850899/on-the-shore-of-lake-michigan-original

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

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 

River Street In Manistee, Michigan

River Street In Manistee Michigan, 2014

pen and ink on paper

5" x 7" in a 8" x 10" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/188922256/river-street-in-manistee-michigan

River Street in Manistee, Michigan.  The last we'll see of civilization before we head into the national forest.  This outpost squeezed between the dense woods and Lake Michigan.  We stop in The Pub for a drink, check out a few antique shops, and watch the street performers.  It's wonderful to visit a place that respects their history.

This painting would look best almost anywhere in its neutral rustic frame and black and white image.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Go West, young man...

Another edition of old photos being digitized.  February is a good time to do that since I rarely go outside anymore.  Enjoy...

Aunt Suzanne and I on a great adventure on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  (Shopping Cart Riding will be added to the 2018 XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea) 

Aunt Sharon holding up a villainous sculpture at the Swetsville Zoo (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10787) in Fort Collins, Colorado.  A really great place to visit to see lots of sculptures made of car parts.  Highly recommended! 

See Heather, I have been to the Great Platte River Road Archway (http://www.archway.org/) over I-80 in Kearney, Nebraska.  It's really a museum dedicated to the history of people passing through Nebraska in covered wagons, trains, Model T's, to today.

Uncle John and Aunt Sharon in Fort Collins.

Grandpa George enjoying a Greek Chili Dog Special at G and L (http://www.glchilidogs.com/) in 2002.  

Dave Scholtens and Rodd Moon snowboarding in Roosevelt Park, Michigan.  

Walking in a park, I heard a strange noise when I threw my popcorn box into the garbage.  I pulled out my camera and quickly took this shot of a baby raccoon.

Cousin Mal, myself, and Aunt Mo after my high school graduation.

Me and my sister Lisa after my high school graduation.

 Gilana Alpert and Rodd Moon at the homecoming game in our senior year at Mona Shores High School.  

 Band photo: Me, Karen Schumacher, and Kelly Ruele at the School of the Art Institute around 2000-2001

Jed Roberts and Brian Cook in 2002  

I believe we won 4th place...  outta 4 teams...  But, here are your St. Francis de Sales Knights!

Back row: Coach Mantovani, Paul Bourdon, Brian Mantovani, KoryAndryscik, John Hurley, Steve Sprague, Coach Kraus

Front row: John Gautraud, Ernie Stasker, Andy Price, me, Mike Ryan, Steve Hanson

A Wedding In the Woods

CONGRATS TO MIKE AND ROSE!  You're married and Megan and I are so honored to have been there to see it!

First things first.  Getting re-baptized in Muskegon Lake

 Boat entering Muskegon Lake from the canal connecting to Lake Michigan 

Catamarans along the beach

Lighthouse on Lake Michigan at Pere Marquette Beach Park

Looking toward the Coast Guard station

 

Life size graffiti. 

Lake Express car ferry heading back to Milwaukee

Burcos Tacos (http://www.burcostacos.com/) in the old K-Mart plaza in Norton Shores.  I really liked the Thai and Old School tacos.  Dirt cheap.  Might have to buy the franchise rights and put one in down the street from me.

old acrylic painting from high school of the street I stayed on in Heidelburg, Germany

A pastel of some guy I did for some project.  Hope that helps...

Lake Harbor Park beach.  

Sunset 

The ladies watching the sun set

 A couple of the restored buildings on Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon.  Some nice little shops in the Century Building and the most hand crafted coffee I've ever had from Drink Drop Drink Coffee

Muskegon Proud mural 

An explanation of the history of snowboarding in Muskegon for the pics below

The Turning Point sculpture

The original Snurfer at the museum down on Western Avenue.

"Muskegon; Together Rising" a.k.a. "the can opener" 

Buster Keaton sculpture

Hackley Library 

Glass floor in the Hackley Library

 windows in the Hackley Library

The Hackley & Hume Home Museum (http://www.muskegonmuseum.org/hackley_hume.html).  Megan and I had some time to kill between errands and decided to check it out.  Charles Hackley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hackley) is pretty much the reason why Muskegon, Michigan exists at all and Thomas Hume was his partner.

Thomas Hume's Home

The barn they shared

awesome coat tree.  The next batch of photos is the interior of the Hackley House.

 

Living room

Pretty amazing stenciling on the ceiling of the entire house.

not a bad dining room buffet

The modern kitchen.

This is just the hallway...

I guess if you are a lumber baron, it's not a bad idea to have everything in the house carved in wood.

And now for the interior of the Hume Home

Brunswick pool table made in Muskegon.  Kinda sad to see since I saw they just tore down the old Brunswick factory.

 

Monet Garden 

Little Lily Pond

Frauenthal Theatre 

 

 Megan trying her first Wet Burrito at the Station (http://www.stationgrill.com/)

Downtown Manistee waiting for our hotel room and getting ready for the wedding. 

CAMPING WEDDING!!!

Mike waiting for his bride

Here comes the bride: Rose!

 TIME TO PARTY!

Now that is a steak

food and reception tent

Post-wedding ride on the bike

Nate 

Alice and I 

Andrew watching Matt and Nick 

Dustin and Cliff 

This was only the start 

TENNESSEE!!!  You're no longer a puppy...

Shots on the dance floor 

Frances and I in our obligatory "ugly shot."

Angela and Noah

Detroit-style pizza from Jet's (http://jetspizza.com/).  Thanks Lisa 

Niagara Falls.  A great place to stretch your legs between Muskegon MI,  and Rochester, NY.  This is the Horseshoe Falls.

Lots of mist

American and Bridal Veil Falls

Lots of tourists with the city in the background.

Horseshoe falls with a suspicious lady.

Maid of the Mist looking for trouble.

Well, it's been a very busy week and a half.  It was good going to a couple of wedding.  Seeing tons of my friends.  Seeing lots of my family.  Visiting all my favorite old haunts and all that that's changed back home over the years.  THANKS AGAIN and I hope to be back soon and see everyone again!