On the Shore of Lake Erie

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

On the Shore of Lake Erie

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201910093

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your home or cottage, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/206106597

Lake Erie has an over-sized influence.  It's more than just location, industry, tourism, and fishing, but in an intellectual and spiritual way.  It's the look and feel of the water that communicates indescribable messages to those who listen.  Yet, ugliness begets ugliness.  For the sake of convenience and profit, we've destroyed wetlands for subdivisions, dumped industrial and animal waste into rivers, and poured fertilizers onto grass to make it a little greener.  This predictably has lead to dead zones of toxic Blue-green algae that now engulf over 500 square miles of Lake Erie during the summer.  Conservation and restoration of Lake Erie is imperative.  Progress requires the protection of our scenic, health, historic, and recreational values.  What is good for nature is good for us.

📻 Listen to my interview on NPR's Marketplace at 📻: https://www.marketplace.org/2023/12/19/alternative-investments-went-on-a-wild-ride-during-the-pandemic/

ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:

💚☕🚚 An Enchanting Evening At the Golden Ticket 🚚☕💚:

https://medium.com/arts-o-magazine/an-enchanting-evening-at-the-golden-ticket-2f8284be509f?sk=33b86cc2f2c6a46b4b1f3d226312a74c

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 Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Lurie Children's 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: http://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

On the Shore of Lake Huron

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

On the Shore of Lake Huron

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201910099

© copyright Michael Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/235717899/on-the-shore-of-lake-huron-original

It's the calm before the storm.  And Lake Huron is famous for it's winds.  In 1913, 90 mile per hour (145 kph) winds sank 10 boats and killed 235 sailors.  In 1996, "Hurricane Huron" formed resembling a tropical hurricane complete with an 18-mile (29 kilometer) wide eye.  Over 1,000 shipwrecks have occurred in this tumultuous sea and many are preserved, including 22 sunk at Fathom Five National Marine Park.  So, find a place to hunker down with some hot cocoa (perhaps something a bit stronger if necessary).

This piece would look best in a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, yellow, green, dark blue, purple, black, white, grey, beige, or wood

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:

www.bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/

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 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

On the Shore of Lake Erie

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

On the Shore of Lake Erie

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201910093

© copyright Michael Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/206106597/on-the-shore-of-lake-erie-original

Lake Erie has an over-sized influence.  It's more than just location, industry, tourism, and fishing, but in an intellectual and spiritual way.  It's the look and feel of the water that communicates indescribable messages to those who listen.  Yet, ugliness begets ugliness.  For the sake of convenience and profit, we've destroyed wetlands for subdivisions, dumped industrial and animal waste into rivers, and poured fertilizers onto grass to make it a little greener.  This predictably has lead to dead zones of toxic Blue-green algae that now engulf over 500 square miles of Lake Erie during the summer.  Conservation and restoration of Lake Erie is imperative.  Progress requires the protection of our scenic, health, historic, and recreational values.  Saving these lakes is saving ourselves and others.

This painting would great in a small space that is red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, light purple, black, white, gray, beige, or wood.

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:

www.bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/

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 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

APRIL FOOLS!

Seriously, this is the worst April Fools joke ever...


What a weird day for weather.  Half the day sunny and beautiful.  The other half was a blizzard.  In between was whatever this is.


It's a good thing Karen didn't see this guy.  Look at his sad little face.  He wants to eat my sandwich so bad.  


"Do de do de do...  Wonder what they are going to do in here next?" About 20 minutes later...


"GOODBYE WALL!"  Who knew making a waiting room for admissions would look so destructively fun?  You never know what will be built or demolished when you walk around Lollypop Farm these days.  Kinda fun


Prince Fielder looks really cozy wearing his snowmobile suit under his uniform during Opening Day up in Minneapolis.  It could be a good year for them.  Just another 161 games to go to see how it ends up.

Went to Sinbad's Restaurant (http://mysinbads.com/) over on Park Ave. this weekend.  Pretty good food.  Probably the quickest food service we've ever received (including fast food places).  It was as if they knew we were coming and what we were going to order.  No pics though, sorry.  No pics of the other fun activities with our friends either.  What a slacker/not allowed.  You poor blog readers have been ripped off...
Hope everyone had a good Easter.

Ty Cobb

He dominated baseball and, apparently, my week.

If you like baseball, history, and crazy antics I suggest reading Cobb by Al Stump

The Death of Playoff Beard

Oh playoff beard.  You were a shooting star that had to leave us too soon...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playoff_beard


April showers bring May flowers.  April snow is just miserable...


A beautiful January morning at Lollypop Farm...


Luna watching me make copies


Luna watching Emmy Lou from a distance.  


Emmy Lou and Luna decided they were not friends.  So, Luna will find a new office to call home.  And yes, Luna is what made my desk so messy...


On a happier note: PUPPY!!!!

Why People Are Afraid of Detroit

The Detroit Monster attacking a sweet, innocent child from Rochester...  Her laughter hides her fear...


A new friend at Lollypop Farm


Look who's up for adoption on April 27th!  


Puppies are the best way to clean your desk on "cleaning day."  


Emmy Lou wasn't so happy about "cleaning day."  

That's all.  Off to start an insurrection...

The Tale of Mark Klaus

Santa with Spaz the Iguana.  There's something special about having this happen in the office right next to me



This is Petey in the office on the other side of me.  



PETEY!  KEEP BATCHING GIFTS!  WHAT ABOUT THE AUDIT!



Look who got adopted today!  A 3 month old Pug/Jack Russell Terrier 



Tailgating at Conklin's Bar and Grill before the Bills/Titans game this past weekend, which is the best part of the game when they are losing...



Look at all of them empty seats...  Talking about teams that self-destruct, it's nice to see the Detroit Lions are going to personal foul their way out of a wild card playoff spot.  It's a new twist on an old disappointment.


That's all from Rochester.

And Now For Some Hockey

THANKS TO DICK SR. FOR THE TICKETS!  Megan and I were able to see the Buffalo Sabres play the Detroit Red Wings.  It was a really good game and awesome seats!



A view of the HSBC Arena in downtown Buffalo



A view from our seats.  



Sabretooth throwing out a few t-shirts



Detroit was down 2-0 in the first period.






Nacho Grande.  If you're going to get nachos, you have to get "grande" with chicken and chili. My father-in-law may think I have a hollow leg, but there was no way I could finish these.  I have met my limit...



Pavel Datsyuk scored along with Jiri Hudler with under a minute left in the game to force an overtime and a shootout!



Datsyuk scoring on Ryan Miller in the first round of the shootout



Hudler closing the game out in the second round.  Red Wings with a 3-2 come from behind win.  



The celebration



Got about 8 inches of snow the other day.  Here's the driveway of my apartment right after work.



What would a job of mine be without a telethon?  Saturday March 5th from 3-9pm, we'll be on 13 WHAM TV in Rochester broadcasting live from the Eastview Mall.  So, tune in or come on out!  Don't get 13 WHAM outside of Rochester; their will be a link to streaming video on our website: www.Lollypop.org.  So, donate early; donate often!!!

He Use To Be Just "Mike," But Now He's "Uncle Mike."

Tachel had Veteran's Day off, but her parents did not.  So, Megan and I got to play with her all day long.



What child doesn't like going to the public market?  



Judging from the sunlight, this is Baby Jesus' Food Stand.  The sun was really bright.  So bright that I heard a few people complain throughout the day that it was too sunny.  I'll check in with them again in February



Best deal in town and another reason to seriously preserve Monroe County's agricultural and open spaces.






Every tooth you see in this picture is loose.  



This photograph was commissioned by Tachel.  It was requested repeatedly that I take this image (no, not like that.  Get closer), so her dad can "see that there is purple food."  So, Rich there is purple food.


 
Little legs get tired of walking and cold ankles need hand warmers...



Going to town on a muffin at Union Bakery where we bumped into Erin.  This place was pretty awesome.  Affordable prices and just a barebones building.  Just my style.  



CANSTRUCTION CHICAGO!  Sorry, I mean CANstruction Rochester?  Indeed!  As many of you know, Megan use to put this event on in Chicago and discovered they did it in Rochester as well.  So, we went down to the Bausch and Lomb Building to check it out.  As you can see, this is a birthday cupcake.  The flame is a bag of Flamin' Cheetos



The Wizard of Oz



Candle



So, I took the previous pic and Tachel yelled out "WAIT!  I'M NOT IN IT!!!"  It was at this point I realized that I am officially the "artist" and she is the "muse."



CANstruction site



Tachel hanging out with the guy coming out of the manhole



Downtown Rochester.  You see the Genesee River with the city skyline.  That's a semi truck crossing the bridge



A sea turtle



Tachel and the crashed UFO



A Flour Mill that made early Rochester famous



If there's anything Uncle Mike has, it's drawing supplies...



"Aunt Meg, what do you eat if you don't have any food?"  After the taco and ziti incidents, we chose our battles and went to Burger King.  



Ellison Park off Blossom Road.  You'll see a bit of this later on.



On a bathroom run to a nearby gas station (because they locked the bathrooms at the park), I found disturbing candy made in the USA.  



Uncle Mike using is art degree once again



It was a fun day with Tachel.  Unfortunately, it really wore out Megan because she had two kids to take care off all day and only one gets to go home to her parents at the end of the day...



Back at Ellison Park, which is just down the street from our apartment.  They have historic markers on everything around here.  This is for Indian Landing, "the most important place in the early history of Genesee Country."



This is a 1938 replica of Schuyler's Trading Post/Fort.  The original was from 1721 built by the British Captain Peter Schuyler, Jr. to encourage trade with the Iroquois Native American tribe. 



Stairs to nowhere in the park.  It's only a guess, but I think it's probably from a resort from the late 1800s, early 20th century that was taken over and turned into a park because church folk didn't like all the drinking and fun being had on Sundays.  That, or to a mansion Frank Ellison may have of had on the property or something.  Further investigation is needed...



Out in the middle of nowhere were about 30+ dogs and their owners running, barking, swimming, and all.  It was pretty random.



As I said previously, Megan's dad gave us tickets to the Detroit Lions (2-7) vs. the Buffalo Bills (1-8).  We had a couple of other tickets that we couldn't give away.  It was good to see the Bills win a game (the first time I've ever seen that happen live) and for the Lions to protect their 0-16 perfect season from being reached by another team...


  
Bills holding QB tryouts for the 2011 season at their practice facility...



Conklin's Tailgating Bar and Grill



 Megan with the family before the game



Heading into Ralph Wilson Stadium



These teams were so terrible that I yelled at both of them.  They are infuriating.  The dumb penalties.  The absolute lack of defense.  Poor call playing.  Timeouts at the most ridiculous times.  At moments, it was like each team was trying to lose on purpose.  Loser Bowl 2010 was everything I expected it to be!!!