Tree in Albufeira Portugal, Mixed Critter, and Seaside Swirl.

Tree In Albufeira, Portugal, 2014

oil pastel on paper

8" x 10" in a 9" x 11" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

To Purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/190352538/tree-in-albufeira-portugal-original-8-x

Hiking along the Atlantic coast in southern Portugal.  The only shade from the intense sun is a tree.  Every so often, there's a cool breeze from the water to provide some relief.  It's a great place to drink vinho verde.  To plan our life together on the other side of the world. 

This drawing would great in almost space that is red, pink, violet, yellow, or blue.

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

 Mixed Critter, 2014

crayon on paper

© copyright Rachel Bell

What lurks in the Amazon rain forest?  Even scientists aren't completely sure.  There are many regions where humans have yet to visit.  There have been rumors of a Mixed Critter. A beast that only wants to snuggle.

seaside swirl, 2014

glazed play-doh

© copyright Rachel Bell

Collection of Megan Bell and Mike Kraus

She dreams of the ocean.  Lying on the beach in the warm sun.  Not having to worry about the controversies at her job.  The tropical waters are every shade of blue.  Flamingos glide through the clear skies

I Love the Smell of Chlorine in the Morning

Last weekend, Megan and I were lucky enough to see Rachel in a swim meet at Penfield High School as a part of the Sea Dragons (http://www.seadragons.org)

Mmmm...  Swimming is a difficult sport to capture with still photography... 

But, look at Rachel go! 

She's a way better swimmer than I am.  I would have been doing the doggy paddle... 

And, here's the future Olympian showing off all her prizes.  GREAT JOB RACHEL!

And, here's Scout torturing us.  Specifically, trying to use Megan's hair as a pillow...

A good place to hide from the cold.

And passing out after three hours of losing her mind...

And, other dogs are now mailing Scout treats.  Apparently really good treats that are able to hold her complete attention for the entire night.  Thanks Vern!

Finally, went to Wilson Commencement Park's (http://www.wilsoncommencementpark.com/) gala on Saturday.  Unfortunately, wasn't able to take any pics.  It was a good time with great people.

That's about it for now.  Just waiting for Meg to get back from Chicago and playing with the dog.

ROAR

Rachel and I got to spend some time together this weekend.  There were a few rounds of Mario Kart on the Wii, Chinese for dinner, she taught me all about Movie Star Planet and Moshi Monster, as well as lots of drawing.  It was a good play date.

Someone became shy suddenly...

Rachel's drawing of Katy Perry.  My favorite part is her signature in the hairpiece.  THANKS FOR HANGING OUT WITH ME RACHEL!  I HAD A FUN TIME!!!

If she gets to show off her art skills, I will show off mine.  This is a silkscreen of a factory in Muskegon, Michigan.  It was part of a series I did in college.  There are about 30 others that have ended up in many odd places.  The majority are at my mom's house.  She'll probably give them to you for fire wood at a good price.

 These are sketches I did of people that rode the Brown Line train with me to work in Chicago.  The torn off parts are where I wrote things like "get milk for dinner" and "PAY ELECTRIC BILL!"  

Mini abstract landscape.  Somewhere out there are some strange large paintings I did with super thick paint.  This is a practice piece that is only a 6 x 8 inches.  There was some painting I saw at the Art Institute of Chicago that I really liked and I tried using a similar technique.  From a distance, it's suppose to look like the woods (not sure if I'm allowed to tell you that, but oh well).

Another painting of abstract woods in the fall.  Kinda looks like the leftovers after a party...

Finally, please consider joining our family in the 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Corn Hill in Rochester, NY on Saturday October 12th.  For more information, please visit the site below:

http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk/NY-ROCHESTERampFINGERLAKESREGION?fr_id=3587&pg=entry

SLUMBER PARTY!

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY RACHEL!  HOPE YOU HAD A FUN SLUMBER PARTY!


"I'm difficult" with "Most difficult."  Only a matter of time before the apprentice becomes the master...


MEER MEER ME MEER!  You mean we're going to eat pizza and play board games!  Beeker is excited

Bonfire means one thing, Aunt Megan has S'more supplies!


Rachel ponders the deer and two fawn she just saw.  Wonders if the fawn would be willing to join the slumber party and snuggle.




Nothing like a little Palace, Garbage, and Go Fish card games before going to bed.


CHOCOLATE JELLY WAFFLES!  Some little girl really loves her Aunt Meg



Aunt Meg and Rachel working on their arts and crafts project


A skeleton vase!


Even the garbage is art!  We hope you had a lot of fun with us Rachel.  We hope you had fun on your really belated b-day slumber party!


On another note, when did Megan and I buy a boat?

The gang's all here.  Nothing like walking along the Erie Canal in Fairport and finding a fun pontoon boat.  I'd like to take this ship from Buffalo to NYC.  


Cap'n of da ship! 



YEAH!  FRIED TURKEY!  Or, someone is starting a meth lab...  This is you start thinking when you watch Breaking Bad.  

An Ode To Babysitting

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"  From Aunt Meg and Uncle Mike's of course!  And what better way to go for a walk around the neighborhood than in a Batman mask.  This girl owns my heart.


I am required to write: "WHAT A STRANGE BOY!"


Drawing mermaids and Ren & Stimpy-esque portraits of each other



Dedicated to her art or mesmerized by the Eagles losing to the Cowboys?  Your call...


So much cupcake covering her hands.  She's almost as bad as me...

That's all from Rochester.  I just realized Thanksgiving is next week.  So, got to figure that all out.  Anyway

Mike Kraus' Animal Adventures!

Here's one of the pit bull pups from a cruelty case.  When they first came in you could fit a few of couple of them in your hand.  Now look at them!  It's funny that they like to snuggle like babies until they reach about 70 lbs.



Here they are again at our meeting.  It's hard to focus on the creation of a new website for the organization when there are puppies.



I like the orange kitten's ear flopping out.



Okay...  I'm sorry...  No more taking pictures of fuzzy kitten ball...



The wildest animal of them all.  Rachel and I playing pirates where I was Capt'n Blonde Beard and she was "just a regular girl pirate."  



Oh Dock.  It's been a long road.  You were found near death on a dry dock starving and ill.  You came in my office in July with an upper respiratory infection.  You've destroyed so many office supplies and documents.  Been on more medication than I can remember.  Had a scope put up your nose to see what is going on with you and NOW YOU ARE FINALLY ABLE TO BE ADOPTED!!!



Just one of the deer in my backyard.  There were four other deer that hid behind a bush when I walked up on them.  


That's all from here.  Awaiting the results of the Tigers/Yankees series tomorrow night.  Going to the Bills/Eagles game this weekend.  Things at Lollypop Farm have been really, really good lately.  So, yeah all around!