In Da Moonlight

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

In Da Moonlight

scratchboard

5" x 7" in a vintage frame (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm in a vintage frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/184303792/in-da-moonlight-original-scratchboard-5

Nights are longer here. Only shadows dance in the moonlight of the old farm. Howls and secretive footsteps can be heard, but nothing seen, in the nearby fields. The darkness is honest away from civilization. Much like the people that live in this neck of the woods.

Is the night quiet or loud where you live?  Some neighborhoods have lots of traffic and sirens.  Others are only populated by nocturnal animals sneaking around.  Either way, what is the moon like where you are?

This piece would work in almost any small space that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, beige or wood.

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 thousands 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus 

In Da Moonlight

In Da Moonlight, 2016

scratchboard

5" x 7" in a vintage frame (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm in a vintage frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/184303792/in-da-moonlight-original-scratchboard-5

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Nights are longer here. Only shadows dance in the moonlight of the old farm. Howls and secretive footsteps can be heard, but nothing seen, in the nearby fields. The darkness is honest away from civilization. Much like the people that live in this neck of the woods.

This piece would work in almost any space that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, beige or wood.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Night Birch

Night Birch, 2015

Scratchboard

7 "x 8" in a frame (17.8 cm x 20.3 cm in a frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/252780906/night-birch-original-scratchboard-7-x-8?ref=shop_home_active_1

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

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.

This painting would look best somewhere that has saturated rich colors 

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Night Birch

Night Birch, 2015

Scratchboard

4 "x 6" in a frame (10.2 cm x 15.2 cm in a frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/230945385/night-birch-original-scratchboard-4-x-6?

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.

This painting would look best somewhere that has saturated rich colors 

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Night Birch

Night Birch, 2015

Scratchboard

8" x 10" in a frame (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm in a frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/229453949/night-birch-original-scratchboard-8-x-10?

20% OFF with my special anniversary coupon code 1YEARFUN

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.

This painting would look best somewhere that has saturated rich colors 

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Night Birch

Night Birch, 2015

Scratchboard

4" x 6" in a frame (10.2 cm x 15.2 cm in a frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/228727517/night-birch-original-scratchboard-4-x-6?

Use my special anniversary coupon code 1YEARFUN and get 20% OFF

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.

This painting would look best somewhere that has saturated rich colors 

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Oh the Humanity

Oh the Humanity, 2015

pen and ink on paper

8" x 10" in a 8" x 10" frame (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm in a 20.3 cm x 25.4 cm frame)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/226046879/oh-the-humanity-original-drawing-8-x-10?

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

With over seven billion people on earth, it's hard to imagine that each one is an unique individual.  No two people are genetically the same, not even "identical twins."  Our DNA is always changing and mutating.  People come in infinite shapes and sizes.  An immeasurable diversity that can be easy to forget.

This piece would work in almost any space with its use of black and white in a neutral frame

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

On a Chicago Street Corner

On a Chicago Street Corner, 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

6" x 4" in a 7 1/4" x 5 1/4" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/200597940/on-a-chicago-street-corner-original-ink?

Crossing Congress Parkway after I had some errands to run in Printer's Row.  Just trying to enjoy the summer heat and scenery while I wait to cross the busy highway that slashes through the heart of Chicago.  To the left is Modern Brutalist buildings.  Their fortress like design used in structures ranging from office buildings, parking garages, and gas stations.  The only exception is the southern addition of the Monadnock Building from 1891.  In the distance to the right is Mies van der Rohe's Federal Plaza.  It is the physical embodiment of "less is more."  As my eye moves closer I see the Fisher Building (an early curtain wall structure by Daniel Burnham), the Old Colony Building (a skyscraper using early wind bracing techniques), and the Manhattan Building (the oldest surviving skyscraper in the world).  The light changes and I head to the 'L' so I can go home for dinner.  

This drawing would look great in almost any because of its neutral tones and warm frame

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

'Merica: The Cookie.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  Lots of hot dogs and blowing stuff up.  

New mascot.  nothing like a fake owl with 360 rotating head action.

I'm going to need that owl to protect my veggie garden.   My green beans are starting to grow quite nicely.

Grow little sprouts!

The watermelon is doing alright as well.  Just waiting on the carrots, onions, and brussels sprouts now.  With the monsoon hitting us, that should help unless they are washed away...

6x6x2014:

FINAL WEEK!

Megan and I went to check out the art at RoCo over the weekend.  Lots of great pieces by a bazillion artists from all over the world.  You should check it out because it's a lot of fun.  Can't make it in person, all the art is available to view online.  My pieces are:

#367 (SOLD)

#368

#369

#370

#371(SOLD)

#372

http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2014_intro.php

Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo)

137 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14604

Drawing Western Avenue in Muskegon, Michigan

I thought I'd share the process of how I draw.  For the subject, I decided on drawing Western Avenue in my hometown of Muskegon, Michigan.  It's the main street of downtown which has been bulldozed and rebuilt about every other generation.  Somehow, both of these buildings, the Russell Block to the left and the Century Club to the right, have been able to survive since the 1890s.  Anyway, this is how I draw.

 I've measured out a piece of paper to fit an 8" x 10" frame.  I've also added a border.  I like to leave an edge to the paper just in case someone decides to change the frame in the future.  It allows more flexibility for using mats and different size frames.  Next, I tape the paper down to my drawing board and prepare to sketch.

So, I sketch out my general lines in pencil.  I place various points of reference.  For example, I've used the edge of the street and rooflines to keep everything in balance. 

Once I have my reference points, I move into framing the structures.  I really like bold, straight lines that border on architectural drafting.  

This is the nitty-gritty.  From the outside of the building, you can usually see where the support beams are located.  In mid-century Modernist building they tend to be completely exposed.  But, in Victorian-era structures they are more subtle and hidden.  Most of my pencil lines are used to find the underlying structure so I can apply the facade appropriately.

The outline of the Century Club is now complete. 

The restored Western Avenue now has a median.  I had to sketch this in before moving on to the Russell Block building because it is in the foreground.  Then to the van, sidewalk, and the first floor of the structure.  From there, I worked my way up the building using the initial support beams as my guides once again.   

The outline is complete. 

 Then, I add the ink wash.  I like to add an organic wash to counter-balance the rigid drafting technique.    It takes the drawing out of the realm of a photograph and places it into a memory or dream.

The landscaping was particularly fun on this project. 

A detail of the cars. 

And, we're done.  We have a drawing celebrating the crown jewel of Muskegon's downtown.

Add it to a frame and hang it on your wall. 

Or place it on your mantle.  

Have any questions?  Let me know.

Western Avenue In Muskegon, Michigan, 2014

Pen and ink on paper

8" x 10"

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/194679066/western-avenue-in-muskegon-michigan