Monday, October 23, 2017

Field of Flowers

Field of Flowers, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710105
© copyright Michael Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/552938406/original-acrylic-painting-field-of

 What should I consider when buying art?

Research: Who is selling you the painting?  Are you buying it online, from someone you know, a random person on Craigslist, a local gallery, or a world-renown auction house?  What is their reputation?  Just like buying a car, a house, or choosing a bank, you want to make sure you can have trust in your dealer.  

What about the piece you'd like to purchase?  Is it really authentic?  If the artist is alive, that can usually be solved by a phone call or email.  But, if the artist is deceased, a third party expert should be used to get a certificate of authenticity.  And look for damage and/or restoration as this can greatly impact the value of a piece

Who is the artist?  Are they alive?  If so, what age are they?  What awards have they won?  Did they attend an art school?  Have their works been exhibited?  

Please visit: http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/art-investing.html for some advice to consider in purchasing original artwork.

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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

See my work in person at these locations:
Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/







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Friday, October 20, 2017

Near Marseille, France

Near Marseille, France, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710104
© copyright Michael Kraus
Where Can I Buy Original Art?  It's available all around you.  It's not just sold in fancy galleries in Paris or New York City.  Many towns, large and small, have their own galleries with a range of local to international artists.  Art festivals and craft fairs are popular annual events that sometimes travel around the country.  Many artists have studios that are open to the public.  Shows, events, and studios are great places to visit when you're on vacation too.  Original artwork is even available online at places like Etsy.com, SaatchiArt.com, Sothebys.com, and even Craigslist.com.  Online is a great place to browse to see what you like before you purchase.

Please visit: http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/art-investing.html for some advice to consider in purchasing original artwork.

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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

See my work in person at these locations:
Havana Night Gala - Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/







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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

HAPPY 4TH SCOUT-IVERSARY!

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Sun Setting From the Hilltop

Sun Setting From the Hilltop, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710103
© copyright Michael Kraus
Are there any reasons to buy reproductions?  Of course!  For example, when I moved out of my small apartment into my first house there were so many empty walls.  And I'm an artist.  I hung some of my work and filled in the rest of the void with reproductions because I was on a budget.  But, over time, I've collected and made new pieces to replace tattered posters.

Let's say you love a piece and there's no way you can afford it.  The Sistine Chapel inspires you, the Pope refuses to sell it to you, and Michelangelo is permanently retired from making art.  A reproduction is your best option.

Temporary spaces demand temporary art.  You know you won't be living in a college dorm next year.  You're planning on looking for a new job and a cubicle isn't a safe place for valuables.  Maybe you're just staging a house to sell.  Whatever the reason, you're not going to be there long.

Valuables shouldn't be here.  A factory floor with forklifts and other heavy equipment might not be the safest place for your investment.  Maybe you plan on using the space as a kid's playroom full of markers, crayons, and toys that could be thrown at delicate objects?  It could be that you smoke, the air is dirty, or constant high humidity in your basement.  There's nothing wrong with posters in these situations. 

Please visit: http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/art-investing.html for some advice to consider in purchasing original artwork.

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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

See my work in person at these locations:
Havana Night Gala - Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/



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Monday, October 16, 2017

Cactus In the West

Cactus In the West, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710102
© copyright Michael Kraus
What are the benefits of buying original art?  Generally, most reasons fall into one of the categories of Style, Originality, Texture/Depth, History, Emotional, Investment and Fun.

Fun - The most important thing about investing in art is that it's "fun."  If you enjoy visiting museums, art galleries, studios, garage sales, art fairs, thrift stores, and making your own pieces, then this may be a great option for you.  Know who you are and what you like.  Chances are there are lots of other people who love the same things you do and will want the sames things you want.  

Please visit: http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/art-investing.html for some advice to consider in purchasing original artwork.

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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

See my work in person at these locations:
Havana Night Gala - Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/






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Friday, October 13, 2017

The Coffee Art Project at The New York Coffee Festival

Morning Cup of Coffee, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201709088
© copyright Mike Kraus
For more information, please visit: http://www.coffeeartproject.com/ProgrammesCities

 Last year, 9,782 discerning coffee lovers and industry professionals from the US and abroad attended the second New York Coffee Festival.  The festival will return on October 13-15, 2017, and promises to be an unmissable event for discerning coffee lovers and those working in the coffee scene. 

This year's festival will feature live experiences from over 85 coffee, food and equipment suppliers. Visitors will enjoy endless free coffee tastings, interactive workshops, demonstrations from world-class baristas, delicious street food, intoxicating coffee cocktails, live music, art and so much more.
  
The New York Coffee Festival is also the official launch event of charitable Coffee Week NYC™, which promotes the vibrancy of the coffee industry while raising money for clean water and sanitation projects in coffee producing communities.  The Coffee Art Project supports Project Waterfall, which is committed to bringing clean water to communities which grow our coffee through the Allegra Foundation and other registered charities.  So far, Project Waterfall, has raised nearly $700,000 and delivered clean water to over 20,000 people in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Nicaragua in partnership with WaterAid, Charity: Water and Water for People. 

 The Festival will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 6th Avenue, West 18th Street. This highly popular and iconic venue fits perfectly with the creative and boundary-pushing experience that we seek to achieve.
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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

See my work in person at these locations:
Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com) at the New York Coffee Festival, Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, NYC - October 13-15, 2017 - http://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com

 Havana Night Gala - Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/
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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Vision Quest XL

 Vision Quest XL, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710101
© copyright Michael Kraus

What are the benefits of buying original art?  Generally, most reasons fall into one of the categories of Style, Originality, Texture/Depth, History, Emotional, Investment and Fun.

Investment - Original artwork can appreciate in value.  As I mentioned before, an artist's popularity rises and falls cyclically.  If this is important to you, take that risk into consideration.  What kind of risks should you consider?  Pablo Picasso isn't alive and making any new paintings.  His work is very popular and expensive.  Will that scarcity cause his pieces to continue to rise in value or has it peaked?  An established artist has some very reasonable prices on her work.  Her career has been praised and well documented along with rumors of a major retrospective show.  Perhaps now is the time to buy?  A mid-career artist came onto the scene like a rock star many years ago and continues to make work even though his fame has waned lately.  The work is still incredible and he continues to have gallery shows.  His "stock price" may be low right now, but a "comeback" seems inevitable.  What about the biggest risk/reward scenario in the art world, the emerging artist?  You didn't know of them a few weeks ago, but now you see their work everywhere.  Where will their career lead?  Who knows?  But, getting on the ground floor early in an artist's career could be like winning the lottery.  And, isn't an investment in your favorite piece of art way more interesting to look at than your 401(k) statement?

 Please visit: http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/art-investing.html for some advice to consider in purchasing original artwork.

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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:


See my work in person at these locations:
Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com) at the New York Coffee Festival, Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, NYC - October 13-15, 2017 - http://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com

Havana Night Gala - Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/

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