Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Dad Joke #142: I Don't Trust Those Trees. They Seem Kind Of Shady...

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


INSPIRATION FOR DAD!

Mass-produced ties, cards, and novelty gifts aren't good enough for your loving dad.  Give him something special with original artwork.  With a wide selection and a range of prices, you'll be sure to find something perfect just for him.  (And dad, you deserve to choose something you want for yourself too.)

Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS - RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR ART COLLECTORS!  A box-set of dozens of original pieces documenting, educating, and memorializing the historic COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic are currently on sale with free shipping within the United States.  Perfect for museums, galleries, experienced collectors, or an art lover making their first acquisition.  Information at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/511949014/covid-19coronavirus-box-set-artist 


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.


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Friday, May 14, 2021

House on Île d'Orléans

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


House On Île d'Orléans
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.7 cm)
202105034
© copyright Mike Kraus

Near Quebec City, in the St. Lawrence River, is the Île d'Orléans.  It's our time away from the world.  When we leave our home, it's to wander among the farms and visit the fields of my ancestors who settled here from France in the 1600s.  We'll bike around the Chemin Royal to build up an appetite for dinner.  As we gather around the table, we're grateful for the bounty this island has provided us.

Près de Québec, dans le fleuve Saint-Laurent, se trouve l'île d'Orléans. C'est notre temps loin du monde. Quand nous quittons notre maison, c'est pour flâner parmi les fermes et visiter les champs de mes ancêtres qui se sont installés ici depuis la France dans les années 1600. Nous ferons le tour du Chemin Royal à vélo pour créer l'appétit pour le dîner. Alors que nous nous réunissons autour de la table, nous sommes reconnaissants de la générosité que cette île nous a apportée.

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

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Friday, February 26, 2021

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Taco 'Bout Awesome
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202102013
© copyright Mike Kraus
Many Mexicans remained in the southwest after the invasion of the Mexican-American War.  While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised Mexicans and Native Americans in the captured territory US citizenship, they lost their civil and political rights for at least 120 years.  From this came a group of women entrepreneurs called "Chili Queens" that sold tacos as street vendors, an easy to make meal for the silver miners of 18th century Mexico.  When the railroads came in the 1880s, the tourist sought out the Chili Queen's tacos just as much as any other attraction.  From there, tacos evolved to use ingredients available in the United State and the development of food processing; including iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.  This culinary delight is a tribute to our turbulent shared American history.  And something to remember every time we celebrate Taco Tuesday.


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:
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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

House on Île d'Orléans

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


 House on Île d'Orléans
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Near Quebec City, in the St. Lawrence River, is the Île d'Orléans.  We spend the day parallel to the coast on Chemin Royal stopping at roadside markets, colonial markets, and wineries.   Seeing where my ancestors settled after leaving France in the 1600s.  We ended the day in Sainte-Pétronille with art galleries, coffee, and chocolate.  Just relaxing and enjoying the view.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, light green, blue, light purple, beige, 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 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.



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Monday, December 21, 2020

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Taco 'Bout Awesome
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202012121
© copyright Mike Kraus
Many Mexicans remained in the southwest after the invasion of the Mexican-American War.  While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised Mexicans and Native Americans in the captured territory US citizenship, they lost their civil and political rights for at least 120 years.  From this came a group of women entrepreneurs called "Chili Queens" that sold tacos as street vendors, an easy to make meal for the silver miners of 18th century Mexico.  When the railroads came in the 1880s, the tourist sought out the Chili Queen's tacos just as much as any other attraction.  From there, tacos evolved to use ingredients available in the United State and the development of food processing; including iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.  This culinary delight is a tribute to our turbulent shared American history.  And something to remember every time we celebrate Taco Tuesday.


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:
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Friday, November 6, 2020

Toronto Alley

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Toronto Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202011103
© copyright Mike Kraus

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

Toronto, meaning "plenty" to the Huron and "place where trees stand in water" to the Iroquois, is a beacon to the world.  It called to French fur traders, British colonists, refugees of the American revolution, fleeing US slaves, Irish, Germans, French, Italians, Jews, and over 200 other distinct ethnic groups that speak 160 languages.  This multiculturalism made Toronto the fourth largest city in North America and a major center of business, arts, and finance.  The locals are famously friendly and that joy can be found on the streets.

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.

Having Fun During Coronavirus
Art Project: 
Building a Fire Pit:
Share Heart of Hope:
Hiking:
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:
Celebrating Women:
Have A Picnic:
You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:
Have Some Theme Spirit:
Working For the Weekend:
Honor and Remembrance:
Apple Picking and Other Farms:
Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game:
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/11/vote-vote-vote-having-fun-during-covid.html

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
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog
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Friday, October 18, 2019

Montagne Sainte-Victoire

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Montagne Sainte-Victoire
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201910091
© copyright Michael Kraus


Montagne Sainte-Victoire can be seen in the distance from Le Jas de Bouffan.  A source of inspiration for ancient Roman soldiers conquering surrounding lands.  A site for festivals for early Christians celebrating the beautiful world.  And the view of the mountain was incredible at Chemin des Lauves.  These locations and mountain were the bookends of the life of Paul Cezanne.  His optical realism, simplified shapes, colorful atmospheres, and enhanced depth motivated Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian, Beckmann, Braque, Giacometti, Léger, Gorky, Giorgio Morandi, Liubov Popova, Marsden Hartley, Charles Demuth, Kelly, Jasper Johns, Jeff Wall, Brice Marden, Sherrie Levine, Francis Alÿs and so many others to make their own unique creations.

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

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:

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:
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Off To The Races In Saratoga Springs

HELLO SARATOGA SPRINGS!

To alleviate Megan's sadness at leaving the Wilson Foundation (http://wilsonfdn.org/) after 9 years and to temper her excitement at joining the Farash Foundation (https://www.farashfoundation.org/), we took a very quick trip to nearby Saratoga Springs, New York.


"Were you born in a barn?"
"No, but I did sleep in a horse stable..."

The Brentwood Hotel (https://brentwood-hotel.com/) was a nice, fun, and comfortable place to stay within the grounds of the Saratoga Race Track (https://www.saratogaracetrack.com/).  Very European accommodations.  And close to town, but far enough away to be very, very quiet.

While it was the off-season, the Brentwood Hotel was a great place to watch all the horses head to the track from their stables for training.

Druther's Brewing (http://www.druthersbrewing.com) with their good beer and food of gigantic proportions.  We saw another table order a mac and cheese that could easily feed a family of four.

Friends gathering around the table.

When there's a bit of rain on vacation, the best thing to do is try everything a brewery offers.  To see what's on our flight, visit: http://www.druthersbrewing.com/beer

Megan trying our race day hats at Soave Faire Art & Office Supplies (http://www.soavefaire.com).  This store somehow carried everything.  They had fashion, cards, home decor, art supplies, and so much more.  If they carried food, there'd be no reason to shop anywhere else.

Since 1938, this is the Louisiana cooking they've been serving at Hattie's Chicken Shack (http://hattiesrestaurant.com).  Great food and atmosphere.  Almost like taking a vacation while on vacation.

Just a sliver of the expansive grounds of the Saratoga Race Track.  It's at least 125 acres (if not more) of race tracks, stables, fields, barns, Hall of Fame, and more.

Please tell me that mini horse racing is a thing.  Com' on Lil' Sebastian!

Taking our morning strill into town we were able to watch some harness racing warm-ups and training.

Just a small slice of the enormous mansions around town.

The little Hobbit House known as the Bread Basket Bakery (https://www.saratogabreadbasket.com)

Enjoying our maple twist and raspberry bear claw in Congress park.  These were pretty amazing.

A bit of the historic and old world charm of Congress Park (https://www.saratoga.com/hotspots/congress-park/)

Megan overlooking Lake George from Pilot Knob Preserve (https://www.lakegeorge.com/hiking/pilot-knob/#1).

This is protected lands in the Adirondack Mountains.  A mile-long driveway and house was constructed on this site, which blighted the unbroken wilderness of the Pilot Knob range.  The property was confiscated, rehabilitated by the Zug Family, and the house was torn down to the cheers of the crowd of people in 40 boats below.


The hemlock and oak forest on the back part of Schumann's Preserve at Pilot Knob.



Back at the gazebo overlooking Lake George


After all that vertical hiking, we earned these burritos at the Cantina (https://www.cantinasaratoga.com/).  Chicken Tinga with cactus fries really hit the spot.

Watching the horses return to the Bond Racing Stables (https://www.jamesbondracing.com) after some training at the race track.


It's amazing how athletic these horses look compared to the horses you see wandering around the fields on farms.

Five Points Grocery (https://www.saratoga5points.com/) wonderful little grocery store perfectly situated between our place and town.

Hathorn Spring One is one of the namesakes of the city.  "Discovered in 1866, by a workman, Samuel Freeburn, while digging an excavation for Congress Hall, and named after Henry H, Hathorn owner of the Congress Hotel .A highly-carbonated water of an Alkaline-Saline flavor noted for its high mineral content, and renowned as a digestive curative..."

Compton's Restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Diner/Comptons-Restaurant-159286897415115/) for breakfast.  It's the perfect no-nonsense, good food and reasonable prices greasy spoon.


Adelphi Hotel (https://www.theadelphihotel.com/) and Morrissey Restaurant (https://www.morrisseyslounge.com/) showing some of the grandeur of Broadway.

Some of General Philip Schuyler's 168,000 acre estate (https://www.nps.gov/sara/planyourvisit/schuyler-house.htm) given to him and maintained by tenant farmers and slaves.  Also, just know the difficulty of navigating the area when every house, laundromat, rest stop, and street is named Schuyler...

Saratoga National Park (https://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm) overlooking the battlefield where the British faced their first surrender ever.  A feat that encouraged the French to join the America cause for independence, which turned the endeavor to our favor.


Our final stop on our way home.  The eerie nesting grounds of the Heron at Ballston Creek Preserve (https://www.saratogaplan.org/explore/public-preserves-trails/ballston-creek-preserve/) in Ballston Spa, NY.  While we didn't see any Heron, Megan did see a Bald Eagle from I-90 at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/montezuma/).

That's it from our sample-sized vacation.
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