Chicago Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

 Chicago Alley

acrylic paint on canvas board

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201811125

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243101275/chicago-alley-original-acrylic-painting

After a long day of work in the Loop, I take the "L" train home.  It's so much better reading a book on public transit than fighting road rage in a traffic jam.  And today I'm just watching all the buildings pass by.  The brown line runs at street level in the alleys after the Western stop.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian. 

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

More About Mike Kraus Art

Works by Larry Wood​, Larry DeKock​ and I at the Books, ETC. ​ art show

https://www.facebook.com/events/500270760452282/

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Whitman Works Company​

https://www.whitmanworks.com/art-products?category=Mike+Kraus

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:

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Google+: http://plus.google.com/111168390406803022323/posts

Chicago Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

 Chicago Alley

acrylic paint on canvas board

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201802031

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243101275/chicago-alley-original-acrylic-painting

After a long day of work in the Loop, I take the "L" train home.  It's so much better reading a book on public transit than fighting road rage in a traffic jam.  And today I'm just watching all the buildings pass by.  The brown line runs at street level in the alleys after the Western stop.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian. 

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

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:

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Google+: http://plus.google.com/111168390406803022323/posts

Chicago Alley

 Chicago Alley, 2017

acrylic paint and ink on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243101275/chicago-alley-original-acrylic-painting

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

After a long day of work in the Loop, I take the "L" train home.  It's so much better reading a book on public transit than fighting road rage in a traffic jam.  And today I'm just watching all the buildings pass by.  The brown line runs at street level in the alleys after the Western stop.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian.  

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Chicago Alley

 Chicago Alley, 2016

acrylic on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243101275/chicago-alley-original-acrylic-painting

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

After a long day of work in the Loop, I take the "L" train home.  It's so much better reading a book on public transit than fighting road rage in a traffic jam.  And today I'm just watching all the buildings pass by.  The brown line runs at street level in the alleys after the Western stop.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian.  

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Friends of St. Jean Baptiste Church

WELCOME TO THE FRIENDS OF ST. JEAN BAPTISTE CHURCH PAGE! Founded In 1856, St. Jean Baptiste is one of the oldest and most historic churches in west Michigan. Our goal is to save the building from the neglect and the bulldozers that have been the fate of so many other important structures to the community.

We hope you join us in preserving this important icon to Third Street, the Nelson Neighborhood, and the Muskegon Community.

As a part of the efforts, please ask your friends and family to join us. And for fun, post of pics of your memories of St. Jean's. THANKS and please let us know if you need anything, have questions, or any suggestions.

https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-St-Jean-Baptiste-Church-1628460284140086/

On a Chicago Street Corner

On a Chicago Street Corner, 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

6" x 4" in a 7 1/4" x 5 1/4" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/200597940/on-a-chicago-street-corner-original-ink?

Crossing Congress Parkway after I had some errands to run in Printer's Row.  Just trying to enjoy the summer heat and scenery while I wait to cross the busy highway that slashes through the heart of Chicago.  To the left is Modern Brutalist buildings.  Their fortress like design used in structures ranging from office buildings, parking garages, and gas stations.  The only exception is the southern addition of the Monadnock Building from 1891.  In the distance to the right is Mies van der Rohe's Federal Plaza.  It is the physical embodiment of "less is more."  As my eye moves closer I see the Fisher Building (an early curtain wall structure by Daniel Burnham), the Old Colony Building (a skyscraper using early wind bracing techniques), and the Manhattan Building (the oldest surviving skyscraper in the world).  The light changes and I head to the 'L' so I can go home for dinner.  

This drawing would look great in almost any because of its neutral tones and warm frame

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Wilder Building

Wilder Building, 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

3" x 4 1/2" in a 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

To Purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/200213111/wilder-building-original-ink-drawing-3-x?

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.

This drawing would look great in almost any because of its neutral tones and warm mahogany frame

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

I < 3 NY - Part Three - Lucifer Falls in Ithaca

Just a short drive from our campsite is another state park.  This time, it's Robert H. Treman State Park (http://nysparks.com/parks/135/details.aspx)

Enfield Creek flows over the road.  Luckily, there's a bridge for pedestrians.

Once again, "Rim Trail" means you'll be climbing a steep hill up for a while.  And, it's worth it.  Below is Megan's dream camping cabin overlooking a waterfall.

The lower falls

For some reason, this one specific tree is targeted for carving.

Three things I've learned while living in upstate New York: 1) Upstate New York has a lot of waterfalls, 2) New Yorkers are not impressed with waterfalls, 3) the same can be said about slate rock.

Base of Lucifer Falls

Cliff Staircase which is a lot of steps...

"This Glen's singular charm was recognized and rescued for the people of New York by ROBERT and LAURA TREMAN some of whose friends set this tablet here in loving appreciation of their gift of Enfield Gorge to us all." 

View from the Cliff Staircase

Megan, Scout, and I with Lucifer Falls behind us.  The woman who took this picture just happened to be running by and was kind enough to take this for us.

"OH MY GOD!  Is that the running lady who took our picture over there!!!"  Yes it is!  Somehow, she was able to race down the cliff staircase, across the river, and up the gorge trail in a matter of minutes.  It blew my mind.  We saw her again at the end of the trail and she says she runs this park everyday.  We should have gotten her autograph because she should be an Olympian or something.

Lucifer Falls from the top.

Butts.  Is this for puppy butts too?

 Old Mill

This place really impressed me.  Probably because I was born during the wrong time and probably been very good at running an operation like this.

Unfortunately, we've had some very severe storms recently (damn you global climate change!) and it took out much of the really awesome parts of the Upper Gorge Trail.  But, it's a great excuse to visit again when it is rebuilt.

Into the gorge leading to Lucifer Falls.

Bridge over Enfield Creek

Back at Lucifer Falls from the other side of the gorge.

 Trail closed...

We had to carry Scout on this part of the trail because she really likes to sightsee.  She'd jump on all the walls to see what we were looking at.  Also, she's not afraid of cliffs.  So, to save ourselves from a sad vacation, we had to carry her up part of the gorge.

"SCOUT!  How are you missing the frog?"

Cliff wall along the Enfield Gorge

"Family portrait" while resting our sore feet in the creek.

Megan and Scout

Oh la la!

Scout gets goofier every day...

Parking garage mural art.   Very whimsical.

The Commons Pedestrian Mall in downtown Ithaca is being rebuilt (http://www.sasaki.com/project/85/ithaca-commons-redesign/)

Lots of great old buildings in the city.

Viva! Taqueria (http://www.vivataqueria.com/) was necessary after our hike.

Me: If this is the only time I'll ever come here, what should I get?

Waitress:  Um...  Well, it's all good.  But, I'd get something with the mole

She was right.  Get something with the mole.  In fact, buy extra mole to bring home.  It's $1.50 for 4 ounces.

Poor sleepy Scout.

Mmmm...  More brats, veggie delights, and corn on the cob from the grill.  It was awesome corn.

She was so tired that she put herself to sleep that night.  Megan went to get something from the tent and she made a beeline to her crate.  Too many chipmunks and not enough naps...

If you visit Buttermilk Falls State Park and still see this tent, I wouldn't be surprised.  We saw the family one time the entire trip and their campsite was untouched.  I think this was their first time camping and they said, "This is camping?  I hate it.  Let's stay at a hotel" and left the scene.  If that's the case, I missed out on some good free camping gear...

Part One: Albany

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2014/07/i-3-ny-part-one-albany.html

Part Two: Buttermilk Falls In Ithaca

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2014/07/i-3-ny-part-two-buttermilk-falls-in.html

Part Four: Taughannock Falls In Ithaca

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2014/07/i-3-ny-part-four-taughannock-falls-in.html