In Da Moonlight

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

In Da Moonlight

scratchboard

5" x 7" in a vintage frame (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm in a vintage frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/184303792/in-da-moonlight-original-scratchboard-5

Nights are longer here. Only shadows dance in the moonlight of the old farm. Howls and secretive footsteps can be heard, but nothing seen, in the nearby fields. The darkness is honest away from civilization. Much like the people that live in this neck of the woods.

Is the night quiet or loud where you live?  Some neighborhoods have lots of traffic and sirens.  Others are only populated by nocturnal animals sneaking around.  Either way, what is the moon like where you are?

This piece would work in almost any small space that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, 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 

In Da Moonlight

In Da Moonlight, 2016

scratchboard

5" x 7" in a vintage frame (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm in a vintage frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/184303792/in-da-moonlight-original-scratchboard-5

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Nights are longer here. Only shadows dance in the moonlight of the old farm. Howls and secretive footsteps can be heard, but nothing seen, in the nearby fields. The darkness is honest away from civilization. Much like the people that live in this neck of the woods.

This piece would work in almost any 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

Under the Streetlight

 Under the Streetlight, 2016

scratchboard

5" x 7" in a frame (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm in a frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/205136978/under-the-streetlight-original

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

The sidewalks are quiet this time of night.  Only the rustling of liter when there's a breeze.  A crumpled fast food bag bouncing down the potholed asphalt.  The glow of the streetlights evenly illuminate the neighborhood.  Burning bright while most people are asleep. 

This piece would work in most spaces that are 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 

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 

Drawing Western Avenue in Muskegon, Michigan

I thought I'd share the process of how I draw.  For the subject, I decided on drawing Western Avenue in my hometown of Muskegon, Michigan.  It's the main street of downtown which has been bulldozed and rebuilt about every other generation.  Somehow, both of these buildings, the Russell Block to the left and the Century Club to the right, have been able to survive since the 1890s.  Anyway, this is how I draw.

 I've measured out a piece of paper to fit an 8" x 10" frame.  I've also added a border.  I like to leave an edge to the paper just in case someone decides to change the frame in the future.  It allows more flexibility for using mats and different size frames.  Next, I tape the paper down to my drawing board and prepare to sketch.

So, I sketch out my general lines in pencil.  I place various points of reference.  For example, I've used the edge of the street and rooflines to keep everything in balance. 

Once I have my reference points, I move into framing the structures.  I really like bold, straight lines that border on architectural drafting.  

This is the nitty-gritty.  From the outside of the building, you can usually see where the support beams are located.  In mid-century Modernist building they tend to be completely exposed.  But, in Victorian-era structures they are more subtle and hidden.  Most of my pencil lines are used to find the underlying structure so I can apply the facade appropriately.

The outline of the Century Club is now complete. 

The restored Western Avenue now has a median.  I had to sketch this in before moving on to the Russell Block building because it is in the foreground.  Then to the van, sidewalk, and the first floor of the structure.  From there, I worked my way up the building using the initial support beams as my guides once again.   

The outline is complete. 

 Then, I add the ink wash.  I like to add an organic wash to counter-balance the rigid drafting technique.    It takes the drawing out of the realm of a photograph and places it into a memory or dream.

The landscaping was particularly fun on this project. 

A detail of the cars. 

And, we're done.  We have a drawing celebrating the crown jewel of Muskegon's downtown.

Add it to a frame and hang it on your wall. 

Or place it on your mantle.  

Have any questions?  Let me know.

Western Avenue In Muskegon, Michigan, 2014

Pen and ink on paper

8" x 10"

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/194679066/western-avenue-in-muskegon-michigan

In Da Moonlight

In Da Moonlight, 2014

scratchboard

© copyright Mike Kraus

Nights are longer here.  Only shadows dance in the moonlight of the old farm.  Howls and secretive footsteps can be heard, but nothing seen, in the nearby fields.  The darkness is honest away from civilization.  Much like the people that live in this neck of the woods.

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!