Fun, Factual, Weird, and Breathtaking: September 2019

Friday, September 27, 2019

Mike Kraus Art, Amazing Acrylics

While currently residing in Rochester, New York, Mike Kraus continues to indulge us with his fascinating paintings.

Mike’s journey began on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. Earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he then continued his pursuit and earned his graduate degree from Grand Valley State University.

Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest
Original - Acrylic

Mike Kraus Art was established in 2014, when Mike decided to dedicate himself to being a full-time artist.

Blue Dream
Original - Acrylic

The hundreds of paintings he has sold are now displayed in almost every state and in dozens of countries throughout the world.

Deep Red Birch Forest
Original - Acrylic

All-Seeing Eye
Original - Acrylic

Mike’s inspiration, in conjunction with creating his own art, is discovered through his collaborations with his patrons, collectors, curators, interior decorators, and fellow artists.

Isla Bartolomé Galapagos
Original - Digital Download

Experimentation with new materials, subjects, and ideas of creating and displaying his works of art, has been born as a result of his inspiration.

I Can Stand A Little Rain
Original - Acrylic

Spirit of the Forest
Original - Acrylic

Commissioned by clients, Kraus gives form to new paintings designed to parallel their needs, lifestyle and tastes either to enhance an existing area or bring life to a new space.

Sunflowers and Lavender in Provence France
Original - Acrylic

Mike's vision is to create beautiful artwork, and his commitment is to provide pieces which will deliver happiness to each home.

Visit the Sources below to experience more beautiful art by Mike.

Sources:

Etsy Shop
Facebook
Instagram
Saatchi Art
society6
Whitman Works Company

Photos used with permission of the artist.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Photographer Tim Vollmer

Tim Vollmer’s long-held hobby and great passion is the photography to which he has devoted his life.

Magical Ice VIII
Iceberg, Iceland

The first of his photos I remember discovering were from a trip to Morocco in which he had a shared a number of images from Chefchaouen, Morocco's Blue City.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

His photography reflects both the power and beautify he has found in nature in an amazing variety of locations around the globe.

Frozen Methane Gas Bubbles
Lake Baikal, Russia

Tim’s photography allows each of us to be able to travel the world and experience both the culture and the beauty of the people living there.

Couple in Traditional Clothing
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

His portfolio captures the allure of various places and people, including the Antarctic, British Columbia, Bhutan, China, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, the Galapagos, Greenland, Iceland, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Uganda, Tibet, various tribes, architecture, faces, panoramas, and wildlife.

Boys of The Karo Tribe
Omo Valley, Ethiopia

Tim Vollmer’s photography and stories have been shared on Internet outlets and featured in international publications.

Fairy Tale Canyon
Kyrgystan

Through his photo tours and workshops, Tim shares his passion, knowledge in photography and travel to all who wish to take advantage of these marvelous opportunities.

Woman from The Karo Tribe
Oma Valley, Ethiopia

Currently, Tim and his family reside in the Czech Republic.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Be sure to check Tim’s upcoming photo tours and photo workshops on his Website.

Sources:

Tim Vollmer Photography – Photo Excursions

Photos used with permission of the artist

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Sticks & Stones Studio, Art by Jan Kolenda

When I first saw this amazing “treepot” by Jan Kolenda, I was entranced by the beauty of her creativity. Her incredible "treepots" represent a close connection to the plants which inspired their creation.

Live Oak Treepot
Stoneware
8" x 12" x 13"

As an Internationally Exhibited and National Award Winning clay artist, Jan Kolenda’s ceramics have claimed their devotion to representations of nature.

Bracket Fungus Pitcher
Stoneware
10" x 12"

Blue Fish Platter
Stoneware
13" x 2"
Private Collection

Fetish Casserole Dish
Stoneware
12" x 7"

As Artist-In-Residence, Jan's relief ceramic tile mural,“Our Backyard Wilderness,” came into being. The mural depicts 55 animals on an outside wall at the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital in Coral Springs, Florida.

The Initial Section
Jan Kolenda

"Our Backyard Wilderness" 2014
Sawgrass Nature Center
& Wildlife Hospital

"Our Backyard Wilderness" 2014
Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital

In collaboration with Bob Bagley's woodworking expertise, woods including spalted maple, cuban mahogany, australian pine, and indian rosewood have merged with Kolenda's ceramics for stunning results.

Inflorescence Form 2010
Indian Rosewood and Ceramic
17" x 24"
Woodwork by Bob Bagley

Working with concrete, Scuter the tortoise became part of Jan's Gopher Tortoise Burrow, an interactive sculpture for children to explore at the Sawgrass Nature Center & Hospital.

Scuter the Tortoise
Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital

Gopher Tortoise Burrow
Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital

“My art starts out in that quiet place of childhood memories where play and exploration are intermingled. There is a feeling of wonder and excitement as nature’s secrets are revealed. As I work, I slip back to those early years where discovery was play and now creativity and memory give way to play. It would please me to know that those viewing my work would join me in this childhood joy.” ~Jan Kolenda

See more of Jan's amazing creations on Facebook, Pinterest, and her Website,
Sticks & Stones Studio.

Sources:

Broward Palm Beach New Times

Coral Springs Museum of Art

Facebook

FindGLocal

Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital

Sticks & Stones Studio

Photos used with permission by the artist.

Monday, September 16, 2019

The Painted Forest of Oma, El Bosque de Oma

The Oma Painted or Living Forest’s more than 47 artworks create an intermingling of culture and nature in the splendid Oma valley in the town of Kortezubi, Spain. This natural mural is the most important and overwhelming work of art in this territory.

Invitation to the kiss
Photo: El mundo con peques

Using trees as his canvas, painter and sculptor Agustin Ibarrola began this work of living art in 1982, establishing groups of artistic sets within the valley of Oma.

Life has more eyes than me ... in detail
Photo: El mundo con peques

A tribute to Paleolithic art and the first humans, the paintings and the forest are a reflection of space, art, elements, and nature itself, taking into account the neighboring Santimamiñe Cave.

Photo: TurismoVasco.com

The Oma Forest is surrounded by pastures and lush forests within this valley. One can complete the circular route in about two (2) hours, while walking roughly seven (7) kilometers or four (4) miles.

Circular Route
Photo BosquedeOma.com

Painted in honor of his first grandson, Ibarrola’s Rainbow of Naiel is one of the most renowned and photographed figures in the forest.

The Rainbow of Naiel
Photo: El mundo con peques

The vivid colors of these paintings are in direct contrast to the earth tones of the forest which inhabits them. Images of eyes, human figures, hearts, geometric shapes, and abstract designs create extravagant murals when viewed as group.

Photo: TurismoVasco.com

Standing on the designated marks in the forest allows you to see the entire set of trees from the perspective intended and the drawing they represent.