Friday, June 7, 2019

Els Quatre Gats

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Els Quatre Gats
acrylic paint on canvas board
201906052
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Imagine wandering the medieval streets of Barcelona after a late night at a sailor's bar in 1900.  You stumble in to one of the few places still open at that time of night; Els Quatre Gats.  You were hoping to see Santiago Rusiñol, Miguel Utrillo, or Ramon Casa i Carbó debating the state of art.  In the back, a young artist named Pablo Picasso is having his first one-man show.  "Els Quatre Gats" is Catalan slang for "just a few people."  Very true tonight as you decide what snack to pair with your coffee.

Imagineu-vos passejar pels carrers medievals de Barcelona després de la nit a la barra d'un mariner el 1900. Arribareu a un dels pocs llocs encara oberts en aquella hora de la nit; Els Quatre Gats. Esperàveu veure Santiago Rusiñol, Miguel Utrillo o Ramon Casa i Carbó debatent sobre l'estat de l'art. Al darrere, un jove artista anomenat Pablo Picasso té el seu primer espectacle individual. "Els Quatre Gats" és un argot català per "només unes poques persones". Molt cert aquesta nit, ja que decideixes quina mescla es pot combinar amb el teu cafè.



This piece would work best is a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, or light wood.   

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Sunset Sherbert Birch Tree at RoCo's 6x6x2019

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Tree
acrylic on canvas board
6" x 6" (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm)
201903029
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/sunset-sherbert-birch-tree_print?sku=s6-11106833p4a1v45

My Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) 6x6x2019 piece sold!  And congrats to all the other artists who's pieces also found new homes.  Supporting your local arts organization, like RoCo, is important.  The arts allows us to express our humanity in ways that cannot be explored any other way.  It can take us to places real and imagined.  It breaks the boundaries of language, nation, race, and religion.  It allows us to feel happy, empathy, love, and sorrow.  It records who we are as people today for future generations to understand where they came from and help them to where they are going.  It's a small gesture.  Only $20.  But it's the small things coming together that make greatness.  So, I hope you'll visit RoCo in person in the near future or online at: http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/exhibitions/6x6x2019/

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

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:

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Spruce Up Your Home For Summer!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


June is a great time of year to redecorate your home with art and paintings.  It's an easy way to create flow, conversations, and spruce up your home.  A sterile room can be transformed into a stylish space with your character and panache.  Here are a couple tips to enhance your home. 

1) Decide on a style, pattern, type, or motif of art you'd like for a room.  For example, you have a family room that needs updating.  You believe this should be an inviting place for you and your children to gather.  Since your family ancestors are from England, Germany, and France, you decided that you will place landscape paintings from those locations on your walls.  This way, the theme of family roots connect to the function of the room itself.  Your motif could stretch though the whole home, if you desire.

2) Consider the colors of the artwork before hanging a piece.  The art should compliment or contrast purposefully with the existing features, color patterns, and style of the room.  For instance, you have a room that is beige with a lot of accent pieces from your apartment in New York City.  A painting of your favorite part of your former NYC neighborhood would complement the rest of the room.  Maybe your space is very organic with traditional moulding and country features.  You could amplify that style with contrasting artwork that is of urban scenes that are geometric with bold colors.

Have questions?  Please let me know and we'll find something that's perfect for you.
Your Friend,
Michael Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com


PS - Rochester Contemporary Art Center's 6x6x2019 show is now open.  See if you can find my piece at: http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/exhibitions/6x6x2019/


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.


Monday, June 3, 2019

Dove

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Dove
acrylic paint on canvas board
201905050
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something that you give away. -John Lennon

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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.



Friday, May 31, 2019

Seneca Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Seneca Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
201905049
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!!

To celebrate Megan's birthday, we took a day trip to the wineries on the east side of Seneca Lake.  The focus was red wines with a view.  And Damiani Wine (https://damianiwinecellars.com/) was a great way to start.  Very friendly and knowledgeable staff with great wines.


J.R. Dill (http://www.jrdillwinery.com/) had a great patio, an eclectic and affordable range of wine, and a fun.  And, if you're like me, and don't know a lot about wine, it's a great place to start and learn a few things.

Atwater Estate Vineyards (https://www.atwatervineyards.com/) really knew how to enhance their view.  A tasting room overlooking the lake.  A patio to relax and enjoy a glass or two of wine.  And vineyards to wander around in.



Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars (https://lamoreauxwine.com/) was a temple to wine.  A wonderful variety of wine, beautiful tasting spaces, and a very outgoing staff.  Local artists work covers the walls making it an impressive destination.




Fingerlick's Ice Cream is so good they don't need a website or social media.  So good they only need to be open 3 days a week.  There's quite a few creative combinations and very generous proportions.  This all makes for a very happy birthday girl.


More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Canandaigua Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Canandaigua Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
201905048
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Nestled between hills covered with traditional wineries and family-run Bed and Breakfasts is Canandaigua Lake.  After a morning in the warm waters, we peruse the village shops on Main Street.  We ended up at the restaurant at the marina watching the courteous boat traffic.  Our lazy journey to Naples seems almost heavenly as we pass roadside fruit stands overlooking the lake.  A great place for a summer day.  

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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.


Monday, May 27, 2019

Sunflower Fields of Provence France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunflower Field of Provence France
Acrylic paint on Canvas
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus 

It was a late start from Avignon as we lingered at a cafe savoring our coffee and croissants.  A warm breeze with a sweet scent was blowing as we hiked our way toward Carpentras.  My backpack filled with necessities like snacks, water, and wine.  It will come in handy when we find a beautiful place to rest our worn feet.  Perhaps overlooking the rolling hills of sunflowers.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, green, blue, violet, purple, brown  beige, or on wood.

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

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.



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