Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Drought

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Drought
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

A fan oscillates near almost every window of the house.  Yet the air remains still and sticky with humidity.  The ice in my drink melts in an instant.  The grass is brown and the flowers all wilt.  The perfect day for a swim.

This piece would look best in a small space that is dark red, light orange, bright yellow, 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.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Morning Apparition On a Summer Daze

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Morning Apparition On a Summer Daze
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Steam races off my coffee in the cool morning air.  My feet wet from the dew balanced on the blades of grass.  The sun slowly climbs the horizon of the lake.  Still and silent enough to allow most of us to sleep.  Bright and intense to allow the animals to start their day's work.

This piece would look best in a space that is bright red, light orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark 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, August 10, 2018

All Your Questions About Toronto; UNANSWERED!

Megan and I decided to take our summer vacation in Toronto, Ontario, Canada this year since neither of us has been there since the early-mid 1990s.  Little did we know, that we'd be back home in less that 24 hours...

We dropped off our bags and went for a late lunch at Fancy Franks (https://fancyfranks.com) around the corner on College Street.  And they were amazing.  We both got the "Franks Got Seoul" with Korean Beef Rib, Kimchi, Sesame Seeds, and Scallions.  I haven't had a hot dog this good since I lived in Chicago

The Fairland Funland (http://fairlandfunhouse.com) is an artist/musician project we were planning to attend while in Toronto.  It was just down the street from our place in Kensington Market.  

Eco-friendly car?

I barely recognize Toronto from my last visit around 1993.  There were new skyscrapers everywhere.  And it makes sense since the population is now more than Chicago and the 4th largest city in North America.  

The CN Tower (https://www.cntower.ca/intro.html) is one of the few structures I did recognize from before.  But, it looks much smaller next to all the new high rises around it.

The base of the CN Tower from the Rogers Center.  There's parks, event spaces, Ripley's Aquarium (https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/) and all kinds of things here now.  So different from the large parking lots, railroad tracks, and abandoned industrial buildings I remember surrounding the stadium.


Here's a few people doing the Edge Walk (https://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/plan-your-visit/attractions/edgewalk/edgewalk-overview.html) on the CN Tower.  

The Toronto Blue Jays (51W-60L) (https://www.mlb.com/bluejays) vs. the Boston Red Sox (79W-34L) (https://www.mlb.com/redsox) at the Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome).





We haven't been to an MLB game since Chicago.  While the Blue Jays aren't very good, at least the game was competitive.  Went into extra innings before the Red Sox overpowered the Jays.

We were completely unaware of what was happening.  While the game was happening, the roof of the stadium was being closed.  Which is odd since rules for baseball usually require that lights, domes, and other conditions have to be the same for both teams.  And, I've never seen a retractable roof changed during a game ever.  But, it was impressive to see this feat of engineering at work.  

Why the roof was closed was because a major rainstorm was about to hit Toronto.  It rained heavily for hours.  It rained so hard that the dome leaked into sections of the seats.  And it was a slow moving storm that we were stranded in the stadium hotel for a long time because taxis and mass transit were all down.  

Here's a photo from the Toronto Star (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/08/07/16000-without-power-in-north-york-as-heavy-rain-batters-toronto-causing-floods-in-parts-of-the-city.html)  Megan and I were blissfully unaware of the situation still.  We knew it was raining hard, but we were annoyed because we left the rain gear at our place since there was no rain predicted earlier.  But, when we arrived at our rental, it too was flooded.  Fortunately, the building manager lived next door and we were able to stay in a guest room for the night.  But, that also meant it was the end of our vacation.

At Aroma Coffee (https://aroma.ca) on College Street pondering the rain.  Deciding "should we stay or should we go." 

Well, we're still technically on vacation.  So, Megan and I went to Deer Run Beach Park (https://www.co.ontario.ny.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Deep-Run-Beach-3) for some sun and water.

Aww...  Those dragonflies are in love...

I have to admit, we do make good lemonade when life gives us lemons...

Please listen to my Graphic Ear interview on WAYO 104.3 FM Rochester at:

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:

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Drought Morning Apparition On a Summer Daze

Morning Apparition On a Summer Daze, 2016
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Steam races off my coffee in the cool morning air.  My feet wet from the dew balanced on the blades of grass.  The sun slowly climbs the horizon of the lake.  Still and silent enough to allow most of us to sleep.  Bright and intense to allow the animals to start their day's work.

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

Drought, 2016
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

A fan oscillates near the window of nearly window of the house.  Yet the air remains still with heat and sticky with humidity.  The ice in my drink melts in an instant.  The grass is brown and the flowers all wilt.  It's the perfect day to swim in the pool.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

I'll be one of the artists at KettleFest 2016 on Saturday September 17th!








Tuesday, April 15, 2014

SUMMER DAYS! (Limited Time ONLY)

Bringing a little bit of Chicago to Rochester.  Take a nice walk on a 80 degree day, running errands, with an adult Capri Sun...

Unlimited entertainment.  The neighbors are chopping down/trimming a bunch of trees.  I've never seen such creative use of a chainsaw before.

FINALLY!  Megan walking Scout through Linear Park for the first time on my commute to work.  This was a really big weekend for Scout with all the walks and all.  With the warm sun out, she discovered that she does like going outside now. 

Megan and Scout along Irondequoit Creek.   

Heaven is sitting on the porch chewing a stick 

 A good place to cool off and hide from Megan's scary rake.

This was a good weekend.

Time to rest now that winter is coming back...

Please check out my art at:
Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Puppy Torture [VIDEO]

Thanks to Katie and Vern, Scout now has a pair of socks to wear around the house.  I'm pretty sure she has a more extensive wardrobe than I do now.

Video of Megan and I making Scout run around the house in her socks.

At least you always know how she feels...

action shot 

All she's missing is an elf hat (Katie, don't buy her an elf hat...) 

Please stop. 

[Mike] How ya doin', Scout?
[Scout] If this is what it's gonna be like with you bein' home all da time, ya need ta get another job.
[Mike] Aren't ya havin' fun?
[Scout] Don't push it.  I know where ya sleep...

Added another eight inches of snow the other day.  Started off with a nice ice storm for a good base.  It ended up being the heaviest snow I've ever shoveled.

 Pine trees are pretty weighed down.

With the ice, the snow really grips all the trees and bushes.  Thankfully, it's been nice for the last few days and this has been melting pretty quickly.  We've had about 112 inches of snow this winter, which is only about 18 inches more than average.  Ready for spring...

 More canvases on the assembly line.  If you haven't noticed yet, I've started my own Etsy page.  If you are on Etsy, I'd appreciate if you "favorite" my shop and follow me.  I'll return the favor.  Any suggestions would be appreciated as well.  Please visit at:


 My new boss reviewing my work.  "This is nice, but I'd prefer more treats."

Even the daffodils are a little too eager for spring.

That's about it for now.  Been pretty busy lately.  THANKS AGAIN and please let me know if you need anything!

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