On the Shore of Lake Michigan at Art Cats Gallery

 OUR SUMMER COLORS ARE SHOWING!

Art Cats Gallery is featuring the artwork of Mike Kraus, an exclusive series of landscapes both real and imaginative.  "Since Muskegon is my hometown, I wanted to create pieces for Art Cats (Gallery) that capture West Michigan's beauty," Kraus said, "It's a uniquely radiant area that you don't fully appreciate until you've been away for a while and return."

Art Cats Gallery is located in the historic and eclectic Lakeside District of Muskegon, a neighborhood on the shores of Muskegon Lake leading toward Lake Michigan.  They carry a fabulous selection of original paintings, prints, pottery, glass, and an amazing array of artist made jewelry.  In 2017, Art Cats celebrated 18 years in business and are excited for the future as West Michigan's premier gallery.  The work of owner Louise Hopson is always in abundance with her studio adjacent to the gallery.

Art Cats Gallery

1845 Lakeshore Dr

Muskegon, Michigan

(231) 755-7606

http://artcatsgallery.com/

Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm

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 Art Cats Gallery

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

Belgian Craft Beer

 Belgian Craft Beer #239, 2017

gouache paint on bristol paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

201706061

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/212845645/belgian-craft-beer-239-artist-trading

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

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/

Signs of Summa

 SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE!  To celebrate, Megan is sipping a fine beer waiting for me to build the fire up enough for s'mores.  Hurry up Mike!  S'MORES!

We have reached peak s'more roasting 

Congrats Maureen on an amazing show.  So many fun pieces and lots of fun people.  It was another great opening at Whitman Works (https://www.whitmanworks.com/). 

These are completely awesome.  I want to rehang this somewhere in my house.  So, I need to build a new wall somewhere soon... 

 The Rockin' Rocking House

Sports Illustrated Puppy Edition photo shoot.  Even Scout needed a pool day.   

Megan trained her to stick her tongue out at the camera 

Into the pool 

It's Ariel: The Little Mermaid 

My pool accessories 

Scout's enjoying this a little too much... 

A dog should not like floating in a pool this much... 

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/

The Morning Cup of Coffee

 The Morning Cup of Coffee #238, 2017

gouache paint on bristol paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

201706059

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/535452263/the-morning-cup-of-coffee-238-artist

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

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/

You're Invited To See My Work At Art Cats Gallery​

You're Invited To See My Work At

Art Cats Gallery

1845 Lakeshore Dr

Muskegon, Michigan

(231) 755-7606

fatcatclay@aol.com

http://artcatsgallery.com

Art Cats Gallery is proud to feature the artwork of Mike Kraus.  His pieces explore nature and our interaction with it.  Using traditional paint on canvas, his works capture the vibrancy and solitude of our natural surroundings.  "My focus is to extract the emotions of each scene and transform it on canvas by emphasizing the details that make the vision unique." say Kraus.  Visit Art Cats Gallery Tuesday - Saturday between 11am - 5pm.

About Mike Kraus

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 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.

​

About Art Cats Gallery

Art Cats Gallery is Muskegon's premier gallery of fine contemporary craft.  Featuring over 45 artists and artisans, year round hours and the studio home of  artist owner Louise Hopson.

Chicago Alley

 Chicago Alley #237, 2017

gouache paint and ink on bristol paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

201706058

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/535452263/chicago-alley-237-artist-trading-cards

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

15% OFF TODAY ONLY!

Autumn Woods by Mike Kraus. This large format painting transforms any room with its warmth and vibrancy. Purchase and learn more at:

 https://www.whitmanworks.com/art-products/autumn-woods

Avo' Good Day

Avo' Good Day #236, 2017

gouache paint on bristol paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)

201706057

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/534985429/avo-good-day-236-avocado-artist-trading

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

The Rochester Contemporary Art Center's (RoCo)

6x6x2017

ARTWORK SALE
NOW OPEN UNTIL JULY 16TH!
 137 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604

See if you can find my piece at:

http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2017.php

Field of Lavender and Sunflowers

Field of Lavender and Sunflowers, 2017

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10"  (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201706056

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/534467771/field-of-lavender-and-sunflowers

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Our bikes race up and down the gentle hills of Provence.  Everything has a distinct texture, the colors are vibrant, and the perfume in the air is intoxicating.  And every twisting road we turn down has countless rows of purple and blue lavender.  The heat of the Mediterranean sun presses against our backs as we pedal back to the village of Sault.  I'll never forget the fields of France.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

The Rochester Contemporary Art Center's (RoCo)

6x6x2017

ARTWORK SALE
NOW OPEN UNTIL JULY 16TH!
 137 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604

In Gallery Preview is now open!

See if you can find my piece at:

http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2017.php

Memorial Day In the Mitten

Just got back from Memorial Day in Muskegon, Michigan.  We had a great time visiting everyone.  Wish we had time to see more people. This is a pic of my sister, mom, and Megan at Hoffmaster State Park (http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=457)

Frances and I taking our traditional beautiful people pic.  Noah and Frances' house is awesome.  The style and artwork come together perfectly.  Also, very happy to throw a frisbee to Paxton.  Funny pup. 

 New shopping Chalets in downtown Muskegon.  It's 12 semi-permanent affordable retail spaces that give the area a "art fair" vibe.  It's a great idea that seems to be finding success.  It's been a few years since I've been back home.  But, I'm impressed that things seem to be improving.  There's quite a few new local businesses, people walking around downtown, various activities around the new Farmer's Market and at the breweries along Western Avenue.  It's exciting to see. (http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2017/03/12_retailers_to_rent_downtown.html)

 More chalets with the former Comerica Bank building in the background.  The former bank is in the process of being converted into condos (http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2016/05/new_highpoint_flats_apartment.html).  We were able to see the Edward Curtis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_S._Curtis) exhibit at the Muskegon Museum of Art (https://www.mfah.org).  It was very well done.  And it was much larger, expansive, interesting, curious, educational, and fun than many shows that I've seen.  It was completely unexpected.  I wish I was still an intern at the museum so I could spend a lot of time with the collection.

 Oddly, Raggedy Ann's red hair is thicker in real life...  

On a sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan 

 Lisa and my mom

Spending some time at the beach 

 Wandering around Lake Harbor Park.  (http://nortonshoresparks.org/Home/Parks)

Spent some time at Pigeon Hill Brewing (http://pigeonhillbrew.com/).  Great selection of craft beers.  Also went to 18th Amendment Distillery (http://www.18thamendmentspirits.com/), and Unruly Brewing (http://unrulybrewing.com/).  We had a lot of fun wandering around checking out all the new places.  Apparently, a lot of other people were too.  It's probably the most people I've seen downtown without a festival or other event going on.    

 A couple of wild turkeys wandering around the old neighborhood.  

The beach at Duck Lake State Park (http://www.michigan.org/property/duck-lake-state-park)

There is no family resemblance.  It's just an illusion created by our grey sweatshirts...  THANKS AGAIN for hosting us.  We had a great time.  It went by too quickly, as usual.