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

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248187027/taco-bout-awesome-original-acrylic

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.

Having Fun During Coronavirus

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.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

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

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248187027/taco-bout-awesome-original-acrylic

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

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.

Having Fun During Coronavirus

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.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

Heirloom Tomato

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Heirloom Tomato

acrylic paint on canvas board

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

202010099

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/heirloom-tomato-by-mike-kraus-art-food-fruit-tomatoes-breakfast-lunch-dinners-snacks-treats-red_print?sku=s6-17480541p4a1v45

I want the taste of heirloom tomatoes in everything.  They're sweeter and just make meals more delicious.  At the end of summer, there's an Amish farmer that has a stall at the end of the farmer's market.  He doesn't sell much, but I purchase all that he has each week.  Some I use on meals right away.  The rest of the bushel I can and preserve in mason jars for the winter.  And there's gallons of salsa waiting for me in my basement pantry.

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: 

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/07/art-project-having-fun-during.html

Building a Fire Pit:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/building-fire-pit-having-fun-during.html

Share Heart of Hope:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/coronaviruscovid-19-heart-of-hope.html

Hiking:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/hiking-having-fun-during-coronavirus.html

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley-parlor-game.html

Celebrating Women:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/celebrating-women-having-fun-during.html

Have A Picnic:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-picnic-having-fun-during.html

You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/you-havent-seen-that-game-having-fun.html

Have Some Theme Spirit:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-some-theme-spirit-having-fun.html

Working For the Weekend:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/working-for-weekend-having-fun-during.html

Honor and Remembrance:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/honor-and-remembrance-having-fun-during.html

Apple Picking and Other Farms:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/halloween-gravedigger-flashlight-game.html

Spook Your Friends and Neighbors:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/spook-your-friends-and-neighbors-having.html

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

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY!!!

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY!!!

YAY!  How is it possible that so much and so little time has passed?  It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we were on the dance floor celebrating our wedding.  Yet, it's amazing that it's only been 10 years since we moved from Chicago, got awesome jobs, bought a house, adopted a silly mutt, and so much more.  And while so much has changed (like my Coronavirus Mutton Chops), the most important things have not; I love you, Megan and I look forward to the next 10 years with you!

Megan showing how she would pose if we were on our planned 2nd honeymoon in Hyères, France right now.  Oh well... 

Life is what you make of it.  We don't need money or things to have fun; just each other.  To commemorate our trip to Belgium we had not-so-Belgian waffles for breakfast.  I'll admit Maison Dandoy (https://maisondandoy.com/) in Brussels were slightly better...

After a relaxing morning and a brief walk along Lake Ontario, we had a "Spanish picnic" in honor of our vacation to Mallorca/Barcelona in Durand Eastman Park.

Faisão Wines (https://enoport.pt/) overlooking Lake Ontario from the allegedly haunted "White Lady's Castle."  The myth is a mother haunts the old foundations of a mansion where her daughter went forever missing.  But, the foundations are a ruin of a former hotel.  So...

Tapas, my love?  Another inspiration from our trip to Spain.  But, with an Irish-America twist of loaded potato skins.  Buen provecho and Taitneamh a bhaint as do chuid béile

Green onions are different from leeks.  My wife informs me I was lied to by the produce staff.

Reminds me of our visit to L'Affaire Est Ketchup (https://www.facebook.com/pg/laffaireest.ketchup) in Québec, Canada.

Another Belgian treat.  This time it's waterzooi and french fries (I know, mayo instead of ketchup is more authentic (Welcome to life during Coronavirus).  The restaurant in Bruges/Brugge, Belgium doubled as an antique store.  We had a hearty meal before an evening trying a myriad of Belgian beers in a fairy tale of a city.

Why is coronavirus turning me into Ted Nugent?  Is Covid-19 a variant of Cat Scratch Fever?

Celebrating 10 years together with a 10 year old tawny port wine from Taylor Fladgate (https://www.taylor.pt/us).  On our honeymoon in Porto, Portugal we toured their facilities and sampled their wine.  It was an estate up on a hill overlooking the city across the Douro River.  We had the tasting room with the parachute ceiling all to ourselves.

Cheer to the 10 years we've been married and cheers to the many more years of happiness we have to look forward to!

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)

201809109

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248187027/taco-bout-awesome-original-acrylic

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.

More About Mike Kraus Art

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

Whitman Works Company​

https://www.whitmanworks.com/art-products?category=Mike+Kraus

Please support my friend Jen Lunsford for Senate

https://www.facebook.com/VoteJenLunsford

Please listen to my Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM​ Rochester at:
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Michael 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

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Taco 'Bout Awesome #307

gouache paint on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

201808108

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/625605604/taco-bout-awesome-307-artist-trading

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.

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.

Please listen to my Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM​ Rochester at:
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Michael 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

Taco 'Bout Awesome

 Taco 'Bout Awesome, 2017

acrylic paint on canvas board

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

201706068

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/248187027/taco-bout-awesome-original-acrylic

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

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.

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

Want to see my work in person?  Then visit these galleries:

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Rochester Contemporary Arts Center (RoCo)  137 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 461-2222 http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/

Bernardo's Pizza and Submarines

Bernardo's Pizza and Submarines, 2014

pen, ink, and graphite

4" x 6"

© copyright Mike Kraus

Please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike?

Victor's First (and Best) Pizza Shop!

Bernardo's Pizza and Subs

160 School St
Victor, NY 14564
http://www.bernardospizza.com
Phone: (585) 924-3960 Fax: (585) 924-3359

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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

"You Went To College For How Long? You Should Be a Doctor, Not a Loser..."

I hope everyone had a good Easter weekend. I had a pretty good one down in Chicago. I can't wait until we get back to that perfect 70 degree Chicago weather and I'm wandering the streets again...

R2-D2 Mailbox at Clark and Addison. Why? I'm not sure. There must be a nerd lobby at the Post Office or something. There are two other ones in the Chicago city limits at Navy Pier and just north of the river on Michigan Avenue. I wonder how many of these have been stolen and are up for auction on Ebay by now...


Conceptual art piece by some homeless man, I imagine. This is a block away from my old apartment on Geneva Terrace.


Easter Dinner. I've never had lamb before except in gyros. Which has a similar difference from steak and burgers.


Here's some of the side dishes. Some asparagus with orange peelings and all.


Megan, Ronan, John, Dan, and Heather during dinner.

They are really going to town on the Brown Line Expansion now. They've closed down the 4th rail and started tearing it up. I should think about a career change that involves mass transit construction.

That's it.