Monday, April 29, 2019

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
pen and colored pencil on paper
8" x 10" (23.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201904039
© copyright Mike Kraus

Her family is from São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. A green volcanic island with a lot of exotic plants and marine life. After a recent visit, she decided she wanted to commemorate her family's village of Lombinha da Maia in a painting. It all started with a sketch.


Lombinha da Maia is on a ridge formed by the Ribeira das Faias river.


The Azores are the land of happy cows.  Unlike many cows, they are able to graze year-round in the very temperate climate.  And their joyful exclusively grass-based diet makes the best cheese.  

A rainbow of  Hydrangea flowers thrive on the islands taking over much of the landscape.  


São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
acrylic paint on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201904040
© copyright Mike Kraus

After many consultations back and forth, the piece is completed.  The vision of the sketch comes alive.  The island memories are recalled.  And I'm very fortunate to be a small part of her family's Azores journey.



And on it's way to the framer!

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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