Night Birch

Night Birch, 2014

scratchboard

© copyright Mike Kraus

Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me.  Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming.  And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge.  I’ve always found the unique and nearly insignificant white tree interesting.

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.

Puppy Files

Scout testing out her new dog bed

 Megan testing out her new human chairs

This is from the last winter storm.  It's been nice out lately.  We have to prepare for tomorrow's Winter Storm Vulcan.   

Snow beard

I call this "the snowplow" 

My dog's pretty narcissistic being more fashionable than her owner and all... 

After committing the unforgivable act of giving a bath.

Scout and Bella sharing a bowl of water after rampaging throughout the house. 

"My tennis ball is under the couch.  I must get my tennis ball1" 

The look of a puppy that realizes she is stuck under your couch...

Rachel had a swim invitational a few weeks back.  It was a lot of fun and Megan and I literally watched from the rafters.  

 "This is a middle school aquatic center?  No wonder our taxes are outrageous."  

After hearing about difficulties one woman was having, I have a new ranking of problems: 1) Third World Problems 2) First World Problems 3) All Other Problems 4) Affluent Suburban Soccer Mom Problems.

 Rachel is the second splash from the top.

GO LIL' RB!

 Wait.  Poutine is just french fries with gravy and cheese.  And it's considered gourmet?  I guess I am a connoisseur of fine dining after all.  But, I may have to retract that since it came from the frozen section of Trader Joe's.

 For Valentine's Day, my dearest wife made me a huge batch of homemade Snicker bars.  What's the quickest way to a man's heart?  Through his chest.

Pretty low key lately.  So...

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."

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.

Now We Belong To the Ages

Beep! Beep!  Party Bot demands you have a good time!  Beep!  Beep!

Me and Amanda for Halloween

Adam and I in the best Diet Pepsi ad ever.

Adam and his date, Ryan...

 If Nick were to release a solo album, I'll request this be used as its image...

Oh Ian, I only knew you for a few hours.  But, the memories will last forever.  Especially when this is what you looked like when your parents stopped by to visit in the morning...  You could tell they were so proud...

I want to manage this all-girl punk band.

Adam in his Canadian Tuxedo.

Shaun expertly demonstrates "The Flying Crane."

 What happens when you start fishing in the White River at night?  Well, you fall in the river and get your line stuck in a tree and spend the rest of the night on a tree in your long johns...

Oh Ben...

Graceful

Earned a good night's rest.

 Would you like a piano duet?  May I suggest "Heart and Soul?"

Brian sure knows how to hot tub

Mike Nummerdor and I at the Mastadon House

This concludes the digitization of embarrassing old photos (for the most part).  Hope you've enjoyed them. 

White Birch

White Birch, 2014

Acrylic and ink

© copyright Mike Kraus

What’s black and white and red all over?  A birch tree of course.  Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me.  Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming.  And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge.  I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.