Influential Michiganders Series

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close

Who influences you?  There are personal connections with your friends and family.  Maybe it's celebrities or international icons.  These are just a few people that influenced Michigan and beyond in various ways.

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close 

Berry Gordy (far left) and Arthur Vandenberg (2nd to left)

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close 

Berry Gordy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy) is the founder of Motown Records.  He was responsible for introducing the world to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops and many more.  Motown Records spearheaded the desegregation of music and put Detroit on the map for music.

Arthur Vandenberg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_H._Vandenberg) was an isolationist Senator who became an "internationalist" when his eyes were opened during World War II.  He became a bipartisan leader and instrumental in the creation of the United Nations.

Michael Moore (left)

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close 

Michael Moore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_moore), love him or hate him, his film Roger and Me captured the rapid industrial decline and its impact on Flint and the Michigan region.  From there, he's made such films as Sicko, Fehrenheit 9/11, Bowling For Columbine as well as several books, TV shows, and music videos.  

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close 

Henry Ford

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close 

Henry Ford (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_ford) founded the Ford Motor Company, which brought the automobile to the masses by introducing auto production to the assembly line.  He had a vision of the world to promote peace though inexpensive mass produced goods and decent wages for employees.  It was Ford who made it possible for Michigan to become center of the "Arsenal of Democracy."

Chief Pontiac

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close 

Chief Pontiac (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Pontiac) was a Native American leader of the Ottawa tribe that fought against British colonization of the Great Lakes region.  While winning several battles, he was unable to capture Fort Detroit.  He sparked a daring uprising to show that Native Americans would not willingly submit to genocide.

 

Joe Louis

Influential Michiganders Series, 2003

silkscreen on wood

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close

Joe Louis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Louis) was a record-breaking heavyweight boxing champion.  This legend of the ring also packed a powerful punch outside the ring as he fought the Jim Crow Laws of the south and the desegregation of professional golf.

Sweet Lady and the Devil Dog

Sweet Lady and the Devil Dog, 2003

silkscreen and oil on canvas

© copyright Mike Kraus

Noah Hopson and Frances Close

Photos by Frances Close

All she wanted was companionship.  Someone to share her apartment at the senior community.  She replied to an ad that said, "Free Bichon to a good home."  How could she resist?  The sweet lady had to learn the hard way that "you get what you pay for."

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

Turn It Off... Like a Light Switch...

This classic art piece is more well travelled than I am.  It has sat above many TVs, couches and who knows what else.  


While we're at it, here's a funny little thing I made for my co-workers at the children's hospital for christmas.  The theme was 12 Days of Christmas and I had "6 Geese-A-Laying."  Laying what?  Egg McMuffins of course...


MMMMmmmm...  Banana Nut Rum French Toast from the New Yorker Pancake and Grill at 165 W. Commercial St in East Rochester.  Possibly the best french toast I've ever had and it was Megan's meal.  The syrup was so good I would have used a straw if available...


Sorry Denver, I've upgraded to the Pittsburgh Omelette...


Here's a gem from the local thrift store.  Why have leather shoes when you can have the fur?
That's all for now.  Not been too exciting around here with the cold miserable weather lately.  Just a lot of watching movies and bumming around the house.  

Oh Deer...

Ice skating with Rachel.  She's showing off her best figure skating pose.  


Deer wandering at the way back of the property


Pretty good sized deer.  And just look at how:
a) stubby his legs are
b) deep the snow is

MORE LOST ART FOUND!Who knows how much more of this stuff I have...


Obviously, I did not come up with the "Crazy" Tiger logo of the Detroit Tigers (why are his eyes perfect circles?).  This banner was for some project.  So, think of it as my version of Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup cans or something...


And, as everyone already knows, the holy war begins at home...


This is some kind of project with a bunch of figures from art history.  I don't remember why I made it.


Punk Rock...


Front side of a clipboard 


Back side of a clipboard.

That's about it from very snowy Rochester.  Got to go shovel some more!

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!