Have S'more!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Have S'more! #480

gouache paint on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
202208035

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/187361236/have-smore-480-artist-trading-cards-25-x

LAST DAY!!! You're invited to the ARTIST TRADING CARD (& small art) FESTIVAL! It's the place to find and buy amazing ATCs/ACEOs. Browse unique, hand-made pieces by some of your favorite artists (AT VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES!) Visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/2546314848837846/?active_tab=discussion

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 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: 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

That's a Piece of Cake

That's a Piece of Cake #208

Gouache on Bristol 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/209759699/thats-a-piece-of-cake-208-artist-trading

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, 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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Have S'more

Have S'more, 2016

Acrylic on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/237508828/have-smore-original-acrylic-painting-5-x

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It's been a long, beautiful day hiking through the natural settings of the state park.  We soak our worn feet into a cool creek and put on sandals on the way back to the campsite for dinner.  In deep darkness, we grill a few brats and vegetables over a small flame.  It gives a flavor you can't acquire on a stove or oven.  And, of course, the perfect way to finish the day is with a s'more.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, light yellow, dark green, blue, beige, black, white, or wood.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Have S'more

Have S'more, 2016

Acrylic on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/237508828/have-smore-original-acrylic-painting-5-x

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It's been a long, beautiful day hiking through the natural settings of the state park.  We soak our worn feet into a cool creek and put on sandals on the way back to the campsite for dinner.  In deep darkness, we grill a few brats and vegetables over a small flame.  It gives a flavor you can't acquire on a stove or oven.  And, of course, the perfect way to finish the day is with a s'more.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Have S'more

Have S'more, 2015

Acrylic on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/237508828/have-smore-original-acrylic-painting-5-x?

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It's been a long, beautiful day hiking through the natural settings of the state park.  We soak our worn feet into a cool creek and put on sandals on the way back to the campsite for dinner.  In deep darkness, we grill a few brats and vegetables over a small flame.  It gives a flavor you can't acquire on a stove or oven.  And, of course, the perfect way to finish the day is with a s'more.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

Commuter Lifestyle

Here's an art installation at Village Gate during First Friday.  Unfortunately, it appears we just missed some great presentation.

I wish I knew the story about this outhouse (aka the rockin' crapper).  If you know, please feel free to share.  I'm very curious...

Instead of driving through traffic jams through ugly suburbs, this is my commute right now.  "Always look at the bright side of life" (in the key of Monty Python).

FINALLY SOME BUDS ON THE TREES!

A good place to relax.

$1 Easter candy at Big Lots.  I don't think so.  25 cents = Happy Mike

Please check out my art at:

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

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

How Many Milestones Can You Cram Into a Week?

My start date at Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester was moved up a week. So, I've been very, very busy the last few days.  Let's start by giving everyone my new contact information:

Mike Kraus

Annual Giving Manager

Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester

585.223.1330 x244

MKraus@Lollypop.org

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus 

And now for the blog!

Rochester Americans (Amerks) vs. the Binghamton Senators.

Nice shot of the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial



This goal judge is probably the most stoic man in all of minor league hockey...



FIGHT!



WHO WANTS A T-SHIRT OR FRISBEE!!!  WHO DOESN'T!!!






It was the Moose's birthday on the 13th.



Takes a shot...



Then took a shot...



Lemoncello in East Rochester.  Pretty good sandwiches near our apartment where we met up with Sarah and Pete for lunch



If I said this was the craziest thing I saw while looking at open houses this past week I would be lying.  There was lots of great artwork in many homes.  There was one home that had more faux rocks, paneling, and other similar things on the walls than I knew existed.  If only I could have taken pics...



Megan fulfilled a V-Day tradition of mine, which is the February 15th candy buying spree.  If I have kids, they will be very confused when we celebrate x-mas on Dec. 26th, Easter Monday, and so on...



What?  You've never seen a Valentine fish in a tux before?  What means love to you?



My first car.  A 2008 Nissan Versa.  It seems my days of riding public transportation are over.  At least it's bright white and has bike tires...


That's it for now.  Let me know if you need a pet because I know where you find one...

A Few Obvious Signs of Summer

Megan and Katherine at Goldie's. I believe this was Katherine's first weekend off since I've known her...

Megan: Okay guys, now it's your turn for a picture... No... That's no good

Megan: No, not that one either...

Megan: Mike, stop it!

Mike: I'm getting bored...

Megan: Come on, let's get a good one.

Mike: That's it, I'm snorting my beer...

Memorial Day brats

Megan and I went to Margie's with a couple friends after dinner. For those of you who don't know, it's where the Beatle's get ice cream when they are in town. And, they have a little Ringo figurine to prove it (along with everything else)...

I was mesmerized by the watermelon cake when we decided to hang out in Dominick's. But, then I saw the hamburger cake and it blew my mind.

Another sign of why my work is awesome. Taco parties, panini potlucks, the mysterious "Random Acts of Kindness" committee, and now they are giving me chocolate bars. Oh, and a paycheck too...

So, Let’s Talk About Food!

Here’s the Kiera Knightley aka - Fire Dog (because it’s hot) from Hot Dougs. If you haven’t been there, you should visit "The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium."
www.hotdougs.com
3324 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618


Here are the fries. I believe you can get "duck fat fries" on Saturdays, which are delicious. If you go, expect a long line out the door.


Megan making the Easter lamb. A tradition of hers. Good stuff!


Here’s a close up. Unfortunately, the food was so good that I forgot to take pics of the finished product. 8-9 pounds of lamb, a heap of potatoes, gravy, asparagus, and mousse. Mike, Megan, and I were stuffed...


A snowman we saw on a post-Easter dinner walk. I think it’s doing the limbo. Plus, I like his pirate tie.


Megan has her traditions and I have mine. Here we are celebrating "Easter Monday!" Like other great holidays (x-mas on the 26th, Valentine’s on the 15th, Halloween in November), all the candy at Walgreen’s is 50% or more off.


We settled on Whoppers Eggs. What a great Easter Monday!!!