Showing posts with label finger lakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finger lakes. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Cayuga Lake

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Cayuga Lake
Acrylic paint on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
© copyright Mike Kraus

A lazy day along Cayuga Lake hiking between Seneca Falls and Ithaca.  Well worn paths through gorges and woods that open up to vineyards.  A tractor path leads us down to the calm lake where we take a snack break.  With places like this, social distancing is easy.

This piece would work best in a space that is light red, orange, yellow, dark green, navy blue, purple, white, black, 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.

Friday, December 4, 2020

Seneca Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Seneca Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
202011111
© 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

The cool breeze off Seneca Lake feels refreshing as we return with empty backpacks and worn feet. A staycation adventure of hiking, wine, picnics, and swimming in the hot sun. The lapping of water on the shoreline as we enjoy an aperitif. The sun begins to fade and there's a sweet scent radiating from the vineyards as we saunter aimlessly. We're fortunate that social distancing can be so beautiful.

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

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
New Thanksgiving Traditions:
I'm Thankful You're In My Life:

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:

Friday, October 16, 2020

Hemlock Lake

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Hemlock Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
202010093
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© 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
Over 100 homes and 5 hotels used to ring Hemlock Lake connected by 5 large ships. The pollution began to poison the waters. In 1852, the City of Rochester began to process of improving water quality after contamination lead to a massive disease outbreak. Over 5,000 acres were purchased and all buildings demolished to improve the water's purity. Today, it's the prime example of how to live with these sacred lakes.

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

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.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Choose Your Own Title: "This Is 40" or "COVID-40"

BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT!
Can you believe of the dozen of photos this is the best bubble Megan made?

Megan took the day off of work and we celebrated all around the Finger Lakes.  We started off the day having a picnic breakfast at Bare Hill Unique Area (https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/37438.html) overlooking Canandaigual Lake and Bristol.

Onward and upward!  Visited Conklin's Gully at the High Tor Wildlife Management Area (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24439.html).  The vertical climb at the start did burn off the apple cake breakfast.  And, it is a pretty amazing very from the edge of the cliff.




Megan preparing lunch at Keuka Lake State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/keukalake/maps.aspx)

It's like living in a brochure for visiting upstate New York.

Bench looking toward Branchport



Megan put all my favorite meats into one sandwich.  It was delicious and drove our pup Scout insane.



When magic is delivered to your mailbox

Spiderman says #WearAMask

Seneca Mills Falls on the Keuka Outlet Trail (https://www.keukaoutlettrail.org/) between Penn Yan and Dresden.  


If you're going to have ruins, they might as well be beautiful

Megan's Totally Tubular 80's Quiz: Mike Edition.  Thanks for everyone who participated.  I don't know what's worse: how much I forgot or how much my wife learned...

To go with the 1980s theme, Megan and I split a bag of Big League Chew (https://www.bigleaguechew.com/).  It's exactly how I remember it.  And I was instantly transported to being an 8 year old playing pee-wee baseball and having the whole bench being yelled at by the coach because we're blowing bubbles instead of paying attention to our game. 

Downtown Penn Yan at the end of the trail.  It reminded me of the old paths connecting towns and villages in Europe.  A perfect setting for Robin Hood and other medieval characters.

If you're going to make pancakes anyway, just use a 28-foot griddle and set a world record.

For all you singles out there, find a partner that will make you sloppy joes and tater tots on your birthday and never let them go..

If you didn't know, Megan is a trained cake decorator.  Really?  That's amazing!  Her creations are scattered throughout my blog over the years.  You can tell because she was smart enough to avoid using 40 individual candles.  A stylistic choice my asthma appreciates.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TEXTS, POSTS, CALLS, MAIL, AND BIRHTDAY GREETINGS IN OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION!!!  I really appreciate it.  I love and miss you all.  In a year full of difficulty and grief, I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family to celebrate with.  When life happens, I'm glad we're all in it together!

Monday, August 24, 2020

Seneca Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Seneca Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
202008071
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/696666366/seneca-lake-original-acrylic-painting-16

The cool breeze off Seneca Lake feels refreshing as we return with empty backpacks and worn feet.  A staycation adventure of hiking, wine, picnics, and swimming in the hot sun.  The lapping of water on the shoreline as we enjoy an aperitif.  The sun begins to fade and there's a sweet scent radiating from the vineyards as we saunter aimlessly.  We're fortunate that social distancing can be so beautiful.

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

Friday, July 24, 2020

Seneca Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Seneca Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202007059
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/696666366/seneca-lake-original-acrylic-painting-8

The cool breeze off Seneca Lake feels refreshing as we return with empty backpacks and worn feet.  A staycation adventure of hiking, wine, picnics, and swimming in the hot sun.  The lapping of water on the shoreline as we enjoy an aperitif.  The sun begins to fade and there's a sweet scent radiating from the vineyards as we saunter aimlessly.  We're fortunate that social distancing can be so beautiful.

This painting would look best in a space that is yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, beige, or wood 

Tips For Working At Home
Communication:
Be You!: 

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.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Winter Glow at RoCo 6x6x2020

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Winter Glow
acrylic painting on canvas 
6" x 6" (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm)
20200301
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: http://roco6x6.org/gallery/2020/496

Join me at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) virtual 6x6x2020 exhibition open now at: http://roco6x6.org/.  Supporting your local arts organization, like RoCo, is important.  The arts allows us to express our humanity in ways that cannot be explored any other way.  It can take us to places real and imagined.  It breaks the boundaries of language, nation, race, and religion.  It allows us to feel happy, empathy, love, and sorrow.  It records who we are as people today for future generations to understand where they came from and help them to where they are going.  It's a small gesture.  Only $20.  But it's the small things coming together that make greatness.

Tips For Working At Home

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.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Skaneateles Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Skaneateles Lake
acrylic painting on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
202004029
© copyright Mike Kraus

We came to here to be spoiled.  A day at Mirbeau Inn rotating between massages, the spa, and cocktails in the lounge.  Now, we lazily explore Skaneateles Lake's waters barely making a noise in the crisp winter air.  Lingering in Clift Park, the setting sun gently paints the landscape in pinks and yellows before near complete darkness.  At peace, our boots crunch in the snow as we make our way to The Krebs for an exception dinner to finish the perfect day.

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

Tips For Working At Home

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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