The Enchanted Squirrel

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

The Enchanted Squirrel

acrylic paint, beads, gems, stones with resin on canvas

16" x 20" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) in a vintage wooden frame

201809112

© copyright Maureen Robbins/Michael Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/203691540/the-enchanted-squirrel-original-mixed

What happens when a piece of Mike Kraus' art scampers into the studio of Maureen Robbins?  Magic!  An artists' workshop is a dangerous place for a squirrel to wander in to.  There's lots of paint, beads, gems, stones lurking in every nook and cranny.  Some that bring out somber thoughts and others that dazzle the eye with its brightness.  But, if everything goes right and momentum propels us correctly, unusual collaborations can lead to wonderful enchantments.

More About Maureen Robbins Art

First Sunday Art Opening at 540WMain

https://www.facebook.com/events/2029062590449189/

More About Mike Kraus Art

Boston Voyager Magazine Interview

http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/

See me at KettleFest at Kettle Ridge Farm on September 15th:

https://www.facebook.com/events/363843977488486/

Join my 540WMain Community Learning Academy workshop "How To Become A Professional Artist

https://www.facebook.com/events/308616739898516

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM​ Rochester at:

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

Maureen Robbins

From collector to artist, Maureen Robbins has always had a certain flair. She shared her artistic side with a love of interesting purses and jewelry during a long career in Marketing, along with a home filled with unusual artwork and collectibles from around the world. So it was no surprise that, in retirement, she would take her artistry in a new direction. A bejeweled old window, used as a message board in a B&B was her first inspiration for turning everyday items into bejeweled pieces of artwork …. planters, vases, windows, picture frames. From those early stages, her artwork has developed in multiple directions and her work has been shown in a Gallery in San Diego, CA, and has been featured for three years in the Spring Show of the Erie Art Museum. Today, you’ll find pieces in galleries and art shops across Upstate New York.

Mike Kraus

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

Google+: http://plus.google.com/111168390406803022323/posts

Vision Quest II

Vision Quest II, 2014

acrylic painting on canvas

10" x 8" in a 12" x 10" frame 

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186312007/vision-quest-ii-original-acrylic?

Twilight along the shores of the Great Lake. In the valley between the dunes is a cluster of birch. Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees. A humble spot secluded by nature. A perfect place to find one's purpose in life.

This piece would work in a space that is lavender, pink, gold, orange or beige.

For more information or custom order, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

6x6x2014 OPEN NOW:

Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo)

137 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604

See if you can find the pieces I've submitted.  For more information, please visit:

http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2014_intro.php

Just Another Day At the Office

 Just another day at the office.  Scout and I made our commute from the bedroom to the living room.  Light traffic for a Monday.  I'm fortunate to have a window in my office.  It keeps the creative juices flowing.

Time to get to work.  Put on my reading glasses and work on the "to-do" list.  Lots of paper work.  Things to file.  Getting final approvals. 

 Senior Management Meeting.  Scout's the leader of the operation.  Beaker's the brains.  I'm tasked with "gettin' stuff done."

 Coffee Break.  This is where the real business gets done.  The place where the important meetings take place.  It's all about relationships.  And, knowing what you have to do to get rewards.

Five o'clock.  We've earned time to put on our slippers, sit back, and have a nice cold drink.  To enjoy the good life.  Work hard, play hard.    Most importantly, don't take stuff so seriously and remember to have fun.

Also, if you're on Etsy, please visit my new shop at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

So, A Chicken Walks Into My Office...

Birthdays are a HUGE deal at work and it was my anonymous boss lady's b-day. When I went into work that morning, I had no idea a singing telegram chicken would be there as well.


She looks startled because he was "balking" at her really loud.


Those are some hairy chicken legs...


This is somewhere in the north of Chicago. Anyone know if this place is good or not? It's in Roger's Park or something.


Megan and I went and did some work related travel. Her work, no longer mine. That being architecture. There was an art gallery next to the Grosse Pointe Lighthouse and this was my favorite piece. I've seen more obnoxious strollers being used in Wicker Park/Bucktown that cost $1000 though.


This is from the Adult Art Education Class in Evanston. It was called "The Grateful Dead."


The Grosse Pointe Lighthouse




The sandy shore of Lake Michigan


The Baha'i Temple up in Wilmette. If you haven't been to it yet, I highly suggest it.


It took about 40 years to construct this place and they are still working on it. It was started in 1912.


Detail

That's about it. Waiting for it to stop snowing in April so I can go outside and enjoy myself.

xoxo,
Mike