Girls GameOn

Girls GameOn, 2014

graphite and ink on paper

5" x 7" 

Collection of Yvonne McKessy

© copyright Mike Kraus

Please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art

Through the fun of soccer, help young girls build their confidence, find their voice and learn how to lead. The Goal Fun soccer activities will introduce the girls to new leadership concepts. Through these activities, they are encouraged to explore a variety of leadership styles, empower them with the ability to choose the way in which they will accomplish a goal, and then support them as they put their ideas into action. Often this helps find a girl’s personal strengths, skills and interests, which gives them the confidence to be a leader. Through this camp, girls better understand themselves and their values. The girls will learn to recognize how situations, attitudes, and the behaviors of others affect their sense of self.

Please visit their website at: http://www.girlsgameon.com/ 

Faces In the Crowd

Faces In the Crowd, 2003ish

pen and ink

© copyright Mike Kraus

I wonder how many people know that I've captured them in my sketchbook?  Here's a sampling from hanging out in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.  Lots of characters makes for interesting people watching.  You can tell who is a tourist because they look up at all the skyscrapers.  I don't know about the people looking down or about the guy in the top hat.

Meerkat Assembly Plant

Meerkat Assembly Plant, 2014

pen and ink
Collection of Stefanie Gilmour

© copyright Mike Kraus
Please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike?

Science and technology can improve the meerkat.  To challenge what it means to be a meerkat.  Why be only 10 inches tall when you could be six foot tall?  Demand for large meerkats is expected to high as insect and lizard populations are projected to explode due to global climate change.  Of course, this will help Mother Nature stay in balance.

The IT Guy

The IT Guy, 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

© copyright Mike Kraus

During the day, he's largely ignored by the staff until someone has a computer problem.  You'll usually find him in his distant office that doubles as a storage room for servers and cannibalized electronics.  At night, he performs at the local theatre and becomes a character himself.  Two lives which couldn't be any more different.

Palmer Hall

"Palmer Hall", 2014

pen and ink 
© copyright Mike Kraus

I paid the fee and they unlocked the doors.  We transferred our equipment from the car onto the stage.  Other groups arrive and friends gather in the parking lot.  Standing around the back door waiting for our drinks to be delivered.  This is the only place where kids are welcome.  Killing time with skateboards and forgetting the long week.  It’s 7pm and time to open the doors for the show.

Chicago Alley

Chicago Alley, 2014

pen and colored pencils 
© copyright Mike Kraus

I like to look at the back of buildings while riding the "L."  The ugly mess of twisted wires, garbage, and feral strays can open up to something more beautiful.  It reveals how the city works just as the facade hides it.  

Everybody Loves a Landlord

"Everybody Loves a Landlord", 2014

pen, ink, graphite 
© copyright Mike Kraus

On the edge of the city, a landlord busies himself with his rental estate.  Always with a cigarette in hand, he wanders around the structure trying to find a purpose.  He doesn’t have to show a vacant apartment until 3pm.  It’s not unusual to find him sitting in the lobby welcoming tenants and staring off into the distance.  The boom box repeats his only cassette: Dark Side of the Moon.  

"All Entities Move and Nothing Remains Still"

"All Entities Move and Nothing Remains Still", 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

© copyright Mike Kraus

When is a place no longer home?  Is it when you no longer recognize the town?  Maybe it’s when all the institutions you were involved with have dissolved?  Or could it be when all your friends and family have fled?  Is the passing of time what makes it so “you can’t go home again?”

Wilder Building

Wilder Building, 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

© copyright Mike Kraus


Buildings do more than shelter us from the rain.  They reveal human intelligence and purpose.  What kind of technology did it require in 1887 to construct Rochester's first modern skyscraper?  What was the architect trying to tell us using the Romanesque style?  It's on the National Register of Historic Places, so what does the Wilder Building mean to us today?  Something that is difficult to think about when speeding by the structure in a car.

The Galleria of Michael Kraus

Cleaned out my childhood bedroom last fall to make room for a new home office.  Found some stuff that I hope you enjoy.

"State and Madison Streets, Chicago", Pen and ink, 1999: The first piece of art I created at the School of the Art Institute (SAIC).  This was the view from my dorm (the Chicago building, which they renamed Jones Hall).  Classes hadn't started yet and I was trying to get use to moving from a town of 22,000 to a world-class city of 2.9 million people.  First thing they teach you in art school is to use something nicer than 20lbs copy paper.  This is an example why...

"Dorm", pen and ink, 1999: Another drawing I did in my dorm right before classes started.  This is a view of my roommate's side of the room.  

This was a series I started and never finished in 2004.  I believe this was for some project or show that never took place or something.  I forget.  But, it did lead to me creating a bunch more of these that I gave away to quite a few people.

"Leaving Iraq", scratchboard,  2004:  

"The Pizza Man and His Girlfriend (dark)", scratchboard, 2004:  

"The Pizza Man and His Girlfriend (light)", scratchboard, 2004:   

"Jacquie", scratchboard, 2004:  

"Back Alley", scratchboard, 2002:  Again, another view from my dorm at SAIC.  But, this the 162 N. State St. building.  The side of the Oriental Theatre is to the left and the ABC 7 building is straight ahead.  I was never bored living at an art school dorm in downtown Chicago.

"J.T. Law self titled cassette album cover (original)" pen and computer, 1999: Punk rock!  You couldn't get more DIY than this.  The artwork is a collage of photographs from various shows and activities we participated in.  A police officer that tried shutting down one of our shows actually made it in three times.  Hand drawn logo and band information.  Some snazzy work using scissors and glue with the song titles.  A friend of ours that worked at the copy shop of an office supply store printed a ton of these for us for free.  And, that's doesn't include recording the music ourselves in the studio.

 "J.T. Law Kids Flyer (copy)", computer, 1999: Nothing like appropriating strange photos for punk show flyers.  For the band, zine, etc, I use to have stacks of images from newspapers and magazines to use for various promotional items.  I'd pass out hundreds of these school and then drop them off all over town after 3pm.  The Big Wheels was a local powerhouse out of Montague.  J.F.K. (Just For Kicks) was a group with played with a few times out of Grand Rapids.  And Hoppin' Mad was from the Detroit area, I think...

"Monkey On a Hog Flyer (copy)", computer, 1999: Another show at Palmer Hall.  I remember going through the yellow pages calling every banquet, bingo, and reception hall in the county to try to find a place that would allow a minor to put on a concert.  They were one of a very few and they allowed me to do so frequently.  If I still lived in Muskegon, I'd love to buy that place and turn it into a venue as we always did well there.  I'd love to see the Wack Trucks, Temple of Doom, and "a mystery band" again.

"J.T. Law Tape Release Show with Liver Dye! (copy)", computer, 1999: The Ice Pick was an infamous venue.  The owner was in a constant battle with the police.  The graffiti all over the plywood walls.  The worst bathroom you could imagine.  Beer bottle dodging for every member of the band.  And, that's the tame stuff...  This was a memorable show.  And, if you've ever seen Liver Dye, you'll never forget them.

"Schism Zine One-Year Anniversary Show Flyer (original)", mixed media, 1999: By far, the greatest show I've ever been a part of.  Stephanie Rose was amazing at pulling this off.  For six hours, you could see Misled Youth, JFK, J.T Law (before I joined the group), The Big Wheels, The Addictives, Skeptics, and the Bounty Hunters.  To be in the show, we required each band to print and distribute at least 500 flyers.  It worked really well because we had people from as far as Detroit and Chicago show up.  It turned into a parking nightmare and when the only two police officers of the town arrived they decided it was better to pretend they didn't know this was going on than to try to shut us down.  If only I had a VCR, because I found a video tape that someone recorded and gave to me of the show as well.

And, if you're looking for some art, let me know.

To see more of my stuff, please visit:

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2011/01/nothing-is-something-im-use-to-working.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2011/03/waiting-for-better-title.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/01/oh-deer.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/03/hasa-diga-eebowai-does-that-mean-no.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-zine-anthology.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-wedding-in-woods.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/10/roar.html

ROAR

Rachel and I got to spend some time together this weekend.  There were a few rounds of Mario Kart on the Wii, Chinese for dinner, she taught me all about Movie Star Planet and Moshi Monster, as well as lots of drawing.  It was a good play date.

Someone became shy suddenly...

Rachel's drawing of Katy Perry.  My favorite part is her signature in the hairpiece.  THANKS FOR HANGING OUT WITH ME RACHEL!  I HAD A FUN TIME!!!

If she gets to show off her art skills, I will show off mine.  This is a silkscreen of a factory in Muskegon, Michigan.  It was part of a series I did in college.  There are about 30 others that have ended up in many odd places.  The majority are at my mom's house.  She'll probably give them to you for fire wood at a good price.

 These are sketches I did of people that rode the Brown Line train with me to work in Chicago.  The torn off parts are where I wrote things like "get milk for dinner" and "PAY ELECTRIC BILL!"  

Mini abstract landscape.  Somewhere out there are some strange large paintings I did with super thick paint.  This is a practice piece that is only a 6 x 8 inches.  There was some painting I saw at the Art Institute of Chicago that I really liked and I tried using a similar technique.  From a distance, it's suppose to look like the woods (not sure if I'm allowed to tell you that, but oh well).

Another painting of abstract woods in the fall.  Kinda looks like the leftovers after a party...

Finally, please consider joining our family in the 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Corn Hill in Rochester, NY on Saturday October 12th.  For more information, please visit the site below:

http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk/NY-ROCHESTERampFINGERLAKESREGION?fr_id=3587&pg=entry

Clowns + Katie + Rachel = Hashtag Awesome

Many of you have seen this already, but...  Megan balancing on a clown's face while he was lying in broken glass.  True story about the kickoff to the Rochester Fringe Festival at the Spiegeltent.  

Clown: "Now, stand on his ear."

Megan: "Do I have to?"

Clown: "Yes, right between here and here on his head...  Both feet"

Megan: "BOTH FEET!?!?!"

Clown: "Yep.  There you go."

Megan: "Ewww.  No!  I don't like it..."

Outside of the Spiegeltent

Megan and Rachel at Irondequoit Creek hiking around looking for seeds from plants we like. Such a pretty smile.

"Excuse me waiter, but I ordered the large beer."  I didn't expect a Super Mugs like the ones at the Mutiny in Chicago.  Anyway, Katie came to visit us on a very rainy weekend.  We are enjoying our beverages at the Monte Alban (http://www.montealbangrill.com/) just in case you want a really large beer. 

I missed out on breakfast at Steve's...  At least there were some left over Snicker pancakes with a drawing when I got home.  

Not much else to report on... 

A Man Could Get Use To This

Hope everyone had a great x-mas.  Megan outside of our house.  We got a bit of snow today...


A nice giant stocking on the front door.  Another great Tops purchase!


Megan making some x-mas dinner stuff in her Harry Potter apron.  Such a muggle...


Oh little Christmas tree.  Some day you will be big and strong!
 

WHAT!!! REINDEER TRACKS WALKING UP OUR SIDEWALK TO OUR FRONT DOOR ON CHRISTMAS!!!


A little hike through Linear Park to check out the snow around Irondequoit Creek


Got about 10+ inches of snow last night.  As I slept in late I got the best x-mas gift of all.  The gift of someone else cleaning out my driveway.  I have no idea who it is, but I'm super grateful






Exactly what the little Nissan needed...


Someone else's little yellow house with lots of snow on our way to the library this morning.  Season 3 of Arrested Development for a snowy day

MORE ART!

Mexico.  Sounds nice these days.






One I did of Megan around 2006.  

That's it for now.  

Hiking Into My Brain

Megan at Spring Lake Park in Penfield/East Rochester area by our house.  Not sure why it's called "spring lake" since there's no lake.  Just Irondequoit Creek...





A view of Irondequoit Creek from the top of the Honey Creek Trail heading toward Linear Park


A nice little bench





AND NOW FOR SOME MORE FOUND ART!!!

"First To Fly?"  This is from a school project I was working on, which was illustrating a weird book I found about Michigan mysteries.  This was about a guy who claimed to be the first to fly a plane.  Interesting fact: The character on the right is based on Bruce Willis and at one on the left is Joe Millionaire.


"Manhunter" from the same series.  If I remember correctly, it was about a lunatic who hunted hunters.


"Dexter/Hillsdale Incident."  Something about UFOs or flying donut holes?


"Where's Jimmy" I think the semester ended as this is an unfinished piece about Jimmy Hoffa.


Self portrait from 2003 with silkscreen.  This was inspired by a Russian religious icon painting that I turned into regional humor...


Self portrait for August 2006 zine


From July 2004 zine


From July 2004 zine (detail): Safety Sam was a creation of mine for a group promoting water safety in Muskegon.  They use to have a small picture of him on a sign at Pere Marquette Beach and pass out bookmarks at local schools.  Doubt either are still there.  He's a trout that needs a life preserver.  Then there's Sparky Anderson, former coach of the Detroit Tigers


From July 2004 zine (detail): If I remember correctly, this was inspired by a drawing on Aristotle or Socrates.  Either way, the philosopher was thinking, not sleeping while the TV was on.


From July 2004 zine (detail):  Angel with hockey equipment and my Aunt Linda's dog.


From July 2004 zine (detail):  Man with a big fish


From July 2004 zine:  Raccoon, cactus, Belle Tire guy, and a monkey setting pins.  Also, one of my favorite signs of all time.


From July 2004 zine: Crackle with a Native American


From July 2004 zine: French soldier at Mackinac Island


From July 2004 zine: Inspired by an Egyptian tomb, I believe.  There was some writing in the boxes on the original publication.  


From July 2004 zine: Fort du Detroit about the French founding of the city


From July 2004 zine: Great Lakes Great Times bowling.  


From July 2004 zine: If I remember correctly, this is Chief Pontiac


From July 2004 zine: Frauenthal Theatre sign from Muskegon, Michigan, the People Mover, Little Caesar, and La Grande Vitesse sculpture by Alexander Calder.


From July 2004 zine: Lighthouse and a DJ scratching some records for Snap and Pop.


From August 2006 zine (detail): My friends Nick, Matt, and Brian shopping at Maxwell Street Market in Chicago.


From August 2006 zine (detail): More inspiration from Maxwell Street Market with the sign.  "EVERY'S THANK IN THEY BOXES BE $1.00!"  I was sold at the googly eyes.  The weird character building guy was someone I saw dressed like this at the Two Way Bar in Chicago. He walked in, looked around a bit, and walked back out.  It was not anywhere near Halloween.

THANKS FOR WASTING YOUR TIME WITH ME!  HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!