If you love it, you should have it!

New Work: If the Shoe Fits

I've often commented that I sometimes have the title for a piece before I even begin creating it.  This was certainly the case with "If the Shoe Fits", which is my tribute to those that value great shoes and are always on the lookout for that next great pair. It's been great to see the response to this piece already with new collectors in the U.S. and Belgium already deciding they wanted this piece in their home.  Are you next? :) Click on the image below for more details. Till next time...  

 

~ Artist John Kraft

 

August 19, 2014 by John Kraft

August 2014 - Happy Collectors = Happy Artist

There are few things that give me more pleasure than the opportunity to connect with people interested in my work. I love having conversations about my process and the story behind each piece. And better still is when people decide to make my art a part of their homes and their lives. So in this issue, I want to celebrate those that have collected my work and say, "Thank you".

This wonderful couple visited the gallery just last weekend. I was fortunate to be on site and we had a great time discussing the meaning behind Soulmates and my process of creating elements of the composition with acrylics, digitizing those elements, and then completing the piece in the digital space resulting in this limited edition on canvas. Lucky for me, they were taken with the piece and decided to purchase it on the spot.  And since they live in the bay area, I was able to deliver to their home the following day and even help hang the piece in their living room.  A wonderful experience all around.  As a small thank you, I was also happy to present their son with a signed copy of The Little Lost Boat.

 

One of the benefits of my process is the flexibility it gives me in creating new work. I first met this couple during SF Open Studios. They are both divers and liked one of the pieces I was showing, Forever Blowing Bubbles. But they mused about the idea of having two characters under the bay rather than just one. I told them there was a solution! The result, shown here, is a custom piece called Double Bubbles Forever that now hangs in their bedroom.

 

Collector with newly purchased Napa Valley Crush on canvas

Always fun when I meet people that are actively searching for "that perfect piece" to complete a collection or grouping in their home. And of course nice connecting with people that share my affinity for art AND wine. :)

 

New collectors with Lombard Street

It was particularly fun to deliver this piece as part of a surprise. The collectors review from my website does the story far more justice than I ever could:

"I had my eye on this piece years ago when we lived on Lombard Street. Fast forward to our 6th wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me with John Kraft personally handing me a signed canvas in our home! To make it even more special, our baby is enamored by the painting, and it can soothe her at even her fussiest of times." 

 

I like to think that my art is not just for the home, but really anywhere people spend a lot of their time.  And of course for most, that means the office. Hoping that having Dawn Patrol nearby helps this collector initiate many day dreams of sun and surf.

 

Winning Bidder & Collector with San Francisco Sister

The happy cliche of win/win really comes in to play when people collect my work through benefit art auctions. It's great to not only share my work but support a great cause at the same time.

 

It was an honor to deliver this signed limited edition of Sausalito II to Chef James Montejano, currently Executive Chef of La Valencia Hotel in San Diego.

 

SF based collector with Escape to Alcatraz 

 

Long time collector with Dawn Patrol, Emerging Artist and Coit Tower

Some fine people have collected numerous pieces over the years, and it's always fun to "visit my art" when delivering a new piece. It may be no surprise that many of my collectors have also become great friends.

 

 

 

August 03, 2014 by John Kraft

July 2014 - Summer of Love

June 30, 2014 by John Kraft

Paris is in the air!

Excited to announce that I recently licensed my piece, San Francisco Sister, to be used as the cover for a forthcoming book of poems by poet Joan Cofrancesco titled "Cathédrale Paris". More info on when the book will be available will coming soon. Merci!

May 09, 2014 by John Kraft

May 2014 - The Art of Wine

May 03, 2014 by John Kraft

S.O.S. Save Our Smartcars

With the recent rash of Smart Car tipping, I was reminded of my piece - Parking Space... I've refreshed the composition here in a show of artistic support for those poor little defenseless cars being tipped over by vandals in the wee hours of the night! :)  View now in my online store.

Stay safe, little cars...

Till next time,

John

http://www.johnkraft.com

April 08, 2014 by John Kraft

Team Oracle USA Wins the America's Cup!

It was amazing to watch Team Oracle USA win the America's Cup in what many are calling the biggest comeback in sports history. Some may not know, but I created my piece, America's Cup SF, before these boats (the AC72s) were even built.  I did my share of research to get a sense for what the boats were meant to look like, so when I finally saw them live flying across San Francisco Bay is was an amazing moment and experience.

I've been humbled by the overwhelming response to the piece, which is available as a limited edition fine art print on paper or canvas, and also available on range of clothing and other gear.

Till next time...

~ John Kraft

September 26, 2013 by John Kraft

A Busy Artist is a Happy Artist

It's been a busy summer, but a great summer.  New shows, new work and the occasional commission all kept me moving and creating - both of which I love.  Looking ahead, I'm excited that I'll be taking part in my first show at Misho Gallery in SF along with Misho and artist Johnny Botts. Will be a great time and you can get all the details on my event page


I'm also looking forward to the Art for AIDS benefit art auction and SF Open Studios later this fall... OK, enough for now.  Back to the art.

Best,

John

http://www.johnkraft.com

September 06, 2013 by John Kraft