William Rainey Harper Memorial Library at The University of Chicago (UChicago)

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

William Rainey Harper Memorial Library at The University of Chicago (UChicago)

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

202110091

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/william-rainey-harper-memorial-library-at-the-university-of-chicago-uofc-by-mike-kraus_framed-print?sku=s6-22306712p21a12v65a13v54 or the image at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1100965340/william-rainey-harper-memorial-library

We'd meet here in the morning before class.  The morning sun beaming as we'd prepare to study.  Learning more about each other than our scholarly topics.  Architecture like this is designed to make you believe in truth and things greater than ourselves.  We see that the possibilities are endless.

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

Having Fun During COVID-19

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 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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog 

Campanile At Iowa State University

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Campanile At Iowa State University

acrylic paint on canvas board

16" x 20 (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

202010102

© copyright Mike Kraus

For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike

A remote-learning final semester and virtual graduation seems like an appropriate situation for an independent, easy-going, software engineer.  Yet, days on the  Iowa State University (https://www.iastate.edu/) campus are full of experiences and a lifetime of memories.  Recollections that seem both forever ago and all too recent.  Now, there are new adventures with a great career opportunity at Capital One (capitalone.com) in the exciting city of Washington DC.  With the support of his family, he's taken the first step toward a successful life.

Having Fun During COVID-19

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Learn Science; Don't Be the Science

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Learn Science; Don't Be the Science #381

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202008070

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/234638154/learn-science-dont-be-the-science-381

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

"Their plan is to reopen after disinfecting the school, though it is not clear how much of a difference that will make... and a single sneeze or cough could once again contaminate a classroom." - Dr. Sanjay Gupta (more at: Why I am not sending my kids back to school)

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

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

Tips For Working At Home: Teaching Your Kids While You Work

Teaching Your Kids While You Work

Coronavirus (COVID-19) shut down your office and your kid's school along with everything else.  It's been chaos with 50 states having 50 different policies.  And over 13,000 school districts seemingly having 13,000+ different ideas for how to continue your child's education.  As if you weren't concerned about the stability of your job and the stress of working at your dining room table; you're being told to teach your kids at the same time.  

Let's acknowledge a few things first.  Everyone's situation is different solutions will require infinite patience and incredible flexibility.  That our haphazard, uncoordinated patchwork of school districts have various plans (including complete closure) with a wide range of success and failure.  Finally, that this is causing anxiety for everyone involved.  So, let's try to find some solutions.

1) Sync Your Schedules - Homeschooling one-on-one tends to be quicker than classroom learning.  What takes 6 hours at school can only take 2-4 hours at home.  Review the requirements for your kid/kids learning.  Now, compare your mandatory tasks for working from home.

2) HELP PLEASE! - Divide the subjects and kids between you and your partner.  Ask for help from friends, family, and other parents.  Does your school district provide any tools?  Look for online resources.  Don't be afraid to ask for help.  We all need it.

3) Schedule and Routine - Find a schedule that works for you and your child.  Be flexible and patient your kids and yourself.  Is it possible to do some work a little earlier in the morning while your kids are asleep?  Math and science can be taught anytime after 3pm until bedtime as well.  Weekends can also be opportunities for learning.  This may be necessary for using limited resources like computers.

Make a schedule, write it down, and display it someone prominently.  This will help provide work time for your and your child.  Here's an example:

Family Schedule
7am – 10am
Adult 1: Work
Adult 2: Watch children
Kid 1: Breakfast and school work
Kid 2: Breakfast and school work

10am – 11am
Adult 1: Watch children
Adult 2: Check work messages
Kid 1: Online class
Kid 2: Zoom with friends

11am – Noon
Adult 1: Check work messages
Adult 2: Help children with homework
Kid 1: homework
Kid 2: homework

Noon – 1pm
Lunch for everyone.  Extra time to play outside or walk around neighborhood

1pm – 1:30pm
Adult 1: Help children with homework
Adult 2: Check work messages
Kid 1: homework
Kid 2: homework

1:30pm – 4pm
Adult 1 and 2: Work
Kid 1 and 2: Free time

4pm – 5pm
Adult 1: Chores and errands
Adult 2: Work
Kid 1 and 2: Chores 

5pm – 7pm
Dinner.  Extra time for own activities.

7pm – 10pm
Adult 1: Spend time with kids
Adult 2: Work
Kid 1 and 2: Theme night activities (Movie Night, Game Night, etc).  Free time.  Bed.

4) Use Everything - Allow open access to every board game, book, art supply, toy, or whatever for your children.  Allow them independence so you can work.  Be honest with your children about your job.  When you are working, you're not to be interrupted unless it's burning or bleeding.  Also, there are millions of educational videos available for on streaming services.  Is your kid freaking out and you need to be in a Zoom meeting?  Let them watch Cartoon Network if it keeps them quiet.  We're in a State of Emergency.  No one will judge you for doing what you need to for survival.

5) Improv - With many school districts providing little to no guidance, it's good to employ the tactics of shortform improv theater.  The "structure" is education and it is driven by audience/student.  If your kid is really into roller coasters, make that a full day project.  Have them spend a couple hours researching the 10 best roller coasters in the world.  Write a report on why those are the best roller coasters.  What is the science and math behind roller coasters?  What is their history?  Create a design and build a model of your own roller coaster.  Use the techniques of Montessori education.  Let your student own their education by having fun.  

My grandpa was a master at this.  He'd teach me through every day experience.  It'd always start with, "Hey Mike, would you like to learn how to..." and end with me doing chores.  This is how I learned how to change light fixtures, write checks, read schematics, fix a leaky toilet, change the oil, cook a meal and so much more.  By college, I was completely independent and able to run my own household.  

=

6) Communicating With Others - It's good for your child to talk with their friends and play online games.  So, let them do it.  In fact, encourage them to use Zoom with their grandparents, mail a letter to a cousin, leave a note to a neighbor in need, or host an online party.    

7) Be Patient, Flexible, and Relax - This has been a big change for you, your kids, your boss, and everyone else.  Sometimes, the homework isn't going to be finished.  It's not going to prevent your kid from going to college.  It's okay and shouldn't interrupt your work.

There are nearly 50 million families in America experiencing the same problems you are right now.  So call, text, email, Zoom, group chat at least one of them.  Share your successes.  Laugh at your failures.  And remember to take care of yourself.  Everything is going to be fine.  

More 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
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Kent Hall at the University of Chicago

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Kent Hall at University of Chicago

acrylic paint on canvas board

16" x 20" (cm x cm)
201907062

© copyright Mike Kraus
For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-artwork-by

Many days and nights were spent at Kent Hall on the University of Chicago campus (https://www.uchicago.edu/).  He's passionate about "organic chemistry total synthesis" and just received his Masters Degree.  A devotion that will continue at Scripps Research Institute (https://www.scripps.edu/campuses/florida/) working toward his Ph.D.  While on a journey it's important to commemorate milestones and the friends, colleagues, and mentors we've made on the way.  To remember where we came from when we eventually find our success.

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:
www.bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/

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
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Eckhart Hall

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Eckhart Hall at the University of Chicago

acrylic paint on canvas board

201906051

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike

And just like that, her son is a UChicago (https://www.uchicago.edu/) college graduate.  Goodbye UChicago and hello Cornell (https://www.cornell.edu/)!  She raised him right and shares in his early successes.  And she wanted a piece to commemorate this impressive milestone.  What an exciting time for this young man. 

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:
www.bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/

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
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Go West, young man...

Another edition of old photos being digitized.  February is a good time to do that since I rarely go outside anymore.  Enjoy...

Aunt Suzanne and I on a great adventure on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  (Shopping Cart Riding will be added to the 2018 XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea) 

Aunt Sharon holding up a villainous sculpture at the Swetsville Zoo (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10787) in Fort Collins, Colorado.  A really great place to visit to see lots of sculptures made of car parts.  Highly recommended! 

See Heather, I have been to the Great Platte River Road Archway (http://www.archway.org/) over I-80 in Kearney, Nebraska.  It's really a museum dedicated to the history of people passing through Nebraska in covered wagons, trains, Model T's, to today.

Uncle John and Aunt Sharon in Fort Collins.

Grandpa George enjoying a Greek Chili Dog Special at G and L (http://www.glchilidogs.com/) in 2002.  

Dave Scholtens and Rodd Moon snowboarding in Roosevelt Park, Michigan.  

Walking in a park, I heard a strange noise when I threw my popcorn box into the garbage.  I pulled out my camera and quickly took this shot of a baby raccoon.

Cousin Mal, myself, and Aunt Mo after my high school graduation.

Me and my sister Lisa after my high school graduation.

 Gilana Alpert and Rodd Moon at the homecoming game in our senior year at Mona Shores High School.  

 Band photo: Me, Karen Schumacher, and Kelly Ruele at the School of the Art Institute around 2000-2001

Jed Roberts and Brian Cook in 2002  

I believe we won 4th place...  outta 4 teams...  But, here are your St. Francis de Sales Knights!

Back row: Coach Mantovani, Paul Bourdon, Brian Mantovani, KoryAndryscik, John Hurley, Steve Sprague, Coach Kraus

Front row: John Gautraud, Ernie Stasker, Andy Price, me, Mike Ryan, Steve Hanson

Spring Is the New Summer

Pure joy when it is 70 degrees in mid-March.  Mike's wife can then bring him to Indian Landing School playground.


The wife


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEE!!!  Notice her puppy shaped flower arrangement


My new favorite corporate logo.  It's for Moonshine BBQ and I can't wait to go here for our 2nd anniversary!


How New Yorkers fix potholes.  


Thank you daylight savings.  Someday, I will run for office and my platform will be solely advocating for daylight savings time to be year round.  And, why not move it ahead two hours?  

Fooooood...

That's a Lot of Bull...

I bet your job doesn't have a giant fiberglass cow (unless you're a co-worker of mine and then you do).  This guy use to be in front of a restaurant, but was donated to Lollypop Farm in the 70s, when we were in Henrietta.  He made the move to Fairport/Egypt and now guards the Farm.  His most notorious trip occurred when Fairport High School seniors stole him and put him on top of the school.  He is very securely bolted to the ground now...


 
Llamas.  Farm animals are available for adoption too.



With all the rain and mud these days, this is one happy pig



You may ask "When did Egon Schiele create a masterpiece portrait of Mike," but this is in fact an original Tachel.  It can be viewed at the new gallery space at Lollypop being installed in my cube.



Yikes.  Tachel was being a generous artist with a face like this.  P.S. I put ugly pictures of myself up here too



Megan chillin' on the slide on her old turf at Indian Landing Elementary School.  The genesis of her acting career and her famous line "Calling all mothers!  Calling all mothers!"  followed by a dancing routine involving the song Yakety Yak by the Coasters.  



KITTEN SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!  Rochester has a cat overpopulation problem and we need to find new homes for these guys and get as many as possible spayed or neutered.  So, here's a link for information and how to help:


CATS! @ Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester

The New East Wing of the Eastman Theatre

The Eastman Theatre had their Grand Opening Dedication Concert for the new East Wing last night http://www.esm.rochester.edu/evolution/.  Above is a sculptural glass work by artist Dale Chihuly: http://www.chihuly.com/

Outside of the Eastman Theatre in downtown Rochester

New entrance to the East Wing 

The party

The food

the music

Kodak Hall (formerly Eastman Theatre)

During the construction, the theatre was also renovated

More views of the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture

Lots going on these days.  I've had three job interviews in the last week.  Interviewing seems to be my full time job, which is a good sign.  Dog sitting this weekend.  Going to Buffalo to see It's a Wonderful Life on the big screen next week.  Another job interview on Monday.  Lots of Christmas stuff to do.  So, keeping very busy...