The Sunflower

The Sunflower

Acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus 

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/279556450/the-sunflower-original-digital-download

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

The Morning Cup of Coffee

The Morning Cup of Coffee #125 

Gouache on Watercolor Paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

© copyright Mike Kraus 

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248902549/the-morning-cup-of-coffee-125-artist?ref=listings_manager_grid

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

HEY NEW YORK CITY FRIENDS! I have a painting that will be displayed at the New York Coffee Festival (http://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com/) by The Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com/). Mark your calendars for September 25th - 27th, 2015 at the 69th Regiment Armory at 68 Lexington Avenue. #‎CoffeeArtProjectNYC‬

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectable, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

I'm In the Coffee Art Project at the New York Coffee Festival!

HEY NEW YORK CITY FRIENDS! I have a painting that will be displayed at the New York Coffee Festival by The Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com/). Mark your calendars for September 25th - 27th, at the 69th Regiment Armory at 68 Lexington Ave ‪#‎MikeKrausArt‬ ‪#‎CoffeeArtProjectNYC‬

The Morning Cup of Coffee #124

Gouache on Watercolor Paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248997860/the-morning-cup-of-coffee-124-artist?ref=listings_manager_grid

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN 

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions & Originals) is frameable, collectable, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

A Reminder To Appreciate Summer

It's been a while since I've done a personal post.  The good news is that my work is keeping me very busy.  But, here's what I've been up to:

HOT TUBBING in the snow at Mirbeau    

http://www.mirbeau.com/

 The frozen waterfall

 Doesn't it look just like southern France?

 I guess it's as much like Southern France as snowy Hogsmeade is in Orlando...

 Our room

 Monet Pond

 My bones still ache from the record cold we had this year.

 The architecture of this place is interesting.  Obviously, it's modern construction.  But, they did a real good job at making it seem authentic.

 trellis above the hot tub area

 Poor frozen tree above hot tub

 HEY!  THAT'S MY WIFE!

 If you didn't figure it out by now, I spent a lot of time in the hot tub.

A nice escape from the brutal winter.

Dog sat Bella (the boxer) in the Spring.  Tried to get these pups to keep playing so they'd sleep through the night.  But, after my second attempt, they ran out the doggy door so they could sleep outside...

 PUPPY TORTURE!

GET THAT MEGAN!

 Bella knows to look at the camera.  Scout's all business...

Launching the fire pit for summer 2015.  SUCCESS!

 Lilac Festival (http://www.rochesterevents.com/lilac-festival/) in Rochester.

 Had some nice blooms this year

 Hashtag Lilac Fest!

 College Town (http://www.collegetownrochester.com/) development in Rochester.  I was very surprised at how well designed it is.  It's probably the best development in Rochester and Monroe County since World War II.

Celebrating Megan's Birthday with some fancy coffee at Joe Bean (http://www.joebeanroasters.com/)

That about sums things up for now.  Better get back to painting...

Clowns + Katie + Rachel = Hashtag Awesome

Many of you have seen this already, but...  Megan balancing on a clown's face while he was lying in broken glass.  True story about the kickoff to the Rochester Fringe Festival at the Spiegeltent.  

Clown: "Now, stand on his ear."

Megan: "Do I have to?"

Clown: "Yes, right between here and here on his head...  Both feet"

Megan: "BOTH FEET!?!?!"

Clown: "Yep.  There you go."

Megan: "Ewww.  No!  I don't like it..."

Outside of the Spiegeltent

Megan and Rachel at Irondequoit Creek hiking around looking for seeds from plants we like. Such a pretty smile.

"Excuse me waiter, but I ordered the large beer."  I didn't expect a Super Mugs like the ones at the Mutiny in Chicago.  Anyway, Katie came to visit us on a very rainy weekend.  We are enjoying our beverages at the Monte Alban (http://www.montealbangrill.com/) just in case you want a really large beer. 

I missed out on breakfast at Steve's...  At least there were some left over Snicker pancakes with a drawing when I got home.  

Not much else to report on... 

The Sun Was Out Run

Outrun the Sun seemed to be a big success again this year, despite the rain.  The skies did clear up and lots of runners, walkers, families, and friends came out to enjoy the festivities.


Volunteers getting everything set up


Excitement at the Kidzone!


Megan and I volunteered to be road marshalls this year.  Here is the first batch of runners on Lake Road turning down Burnett.  


Moving right along


And now the mob!  Hundreds of racers pass by.  A great time was had by all.  For more information about Outrun the Sun and the Rochester Melanoma Action Group, please visit: http://www.melanomaaction.org


The doe and two fawn are in the backyard just chillin.'


I can't have guest visit and not try to entertain them.


WAIT!  I just want to bother you!


Tails up and they're off.


Sure, they run away when I come to see them.  But, when I'm trying to have a peaceful moment at my fire pit they terrorize me.  


Megan and I had a mini-date to Rumi's Grill and Cafe (http://rumisgrillcafe.com/) at 2735 Monroe Ave in Brighton (the old Pizza Hut).  Here are a couple of beef flats, which is a flat bread with lots of veggies and spices.  And, not a bad deal at $2.95.


This is a Rumi's Doner, which is essentially a beef and lamb sub.  It was soooooo good.  I don't know if the locals know what to make of this place yet.  But, we felt adventurous and want to try it out.  It's a good Mediterranean/Turkish restaurant.  Rumor has it that they have a great breakfast.


Happy Birthday Dick!  Megan made a delicious cake that had many adventures in my car


Bailey's BBQ Sauce from Fruitport, Michigan!  This is really the gift that keeps on giving.  First as food and now as a vase.  


Midget parking?  Saw this at Yotini's Yogurt Shop, which hasn't opened yet last time we walked by.  Never know what you'll find wandering the neighborhood.


Court Street Bridge over the Genesee River with the Freddy Sue Bridge (Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge) in the background.


Broad Street Bridge.  This is one of the more interesting things about downtown Rochester.  For those that don't know, the first level of arches use to be the Broad Street Aqueduct of the Erie Canal.  It carried barge traffic from the Erie Canal over the river.  In the 1920s, it was converted for use for the subway system and the top level was added for automobile traffic.  There's been talk about opening the bottom level up to the public with a walkway, stores, and other projects.  

That's about it.  The PGA Championship is in town at Oak Hill Country Club.  Megan and I plan on stopping over at there to see a practice round.