Mike Kraus: wine

Showing posts with label wine. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Still Having Summer Fun!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Latest 2020 Summer Fashions

https://www.etsy.com/listing/184045579/latest-2020-summer-fashions-original

I hope you're enjoying your summer! That you're spending sunny days by the water, grilling delicious meals, and playing games in the yard. We can still have fun, right?

Your health and safety is very important to me. As a few places reopen, I will not be participating (and have cancelled) all face-to-face art shows, exhibits, or other events until I can guarantee your protection from infection, hospitalizations, or worse. My pieces are still available to view and purchase at: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com following the latest CDC guidelines.

Life is what we make of it. So, let's focus on the good, take care of ourselves, and be helpful to others. And remember to savor the warm, radiant days of summer while they are here. The inspiration can last a lifetime.

Stay Safe,

Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS - Need something to read poolside or at the beach? Check out my FREE eBook Wooden Bear for a limited time at:

WOODEN BEAR EBOOK

Sun Setting On Lake Michigan

https://www.etsy.com/listing/205652659/sun-setting-on-lake-michigan-original

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/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

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!

Friday, June 5, 2020

Vineyard In Hyères, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Vineyard In Hyères, France
acrylic paint on canvas board

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

202006041

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/249721069/vineyard-in-hyeres-france-original

Minouche made us an exceptionally hearty breakfast this morning with crêpes and countless other treats. We savor the meal and coffee contemplating the beautiful artwork on the light yellow walls of the Chambres d'hôtes Le Régent. Jean Louis enters, after preparing our bikes, to give us very convoluted and accurate directions for our ride. Minouche packed us an assortment of snacks and pointed us down a crooked street with changing names.

We walk our bikes past boutiques preparing to open and cafes that have been busy for hours until we cross the Gapeau River on the edge of town. We ride down a two-track along a farm, through a very small boulevard, and onto the Chemin des Maures. It's a one-lane road of worn out asphalt connecting dozens of farms growing various fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We find the red and white gate where the trees become sparse on burnt umber soil, which is the entrance of the trail. The arid landscape suddenly turns into a lush and green woods. Eventually, the forest opens onto a farm and village where the streets all have the same name. We find the bus stop next to the trail near our destination in Les Troisièmes Borrels.

The Domaine des Trois Chenes 14 hectares vineyard is all to ourselves. Régis welcomes us to join him in the field inspecting the grapes. Shares how his family has handpicked, avoided chemicals, and used traditional vats and barrels for five generations. He is not shy about sharing his strong beliefs on winemaking. After tasting their rosé and Jules Scarone red, you'll absolutely agree with him.

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

Tips For Working At Home

General:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/03/tips-for-working-at-home.html

Virtual Office:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/03/tips-for-working-at-home-staging-your.html

Virtual Backgrounds:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/04/virtual-backgrounds-for-zoom-and.html

Mental Health and Making a Routine:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/04/tips-for-working-at-home-mental-health.html

Your Work Space:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/04/tips-for-working-at-home-your-work-space.html

Setting Office Hours:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/04/tips-for-working-at-home-setting-office.html

Take A Break:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/04/tips-for-working-at-home-take-break.html

Teaching Your Kids While You Work:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/05/tips-for-working-at-home-teaching-your.html

Perks of Being At Home:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/05/tips-for-working-at-home-perks-of-being.html

Learning and Adjusting To Technology:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/05/tips-for-working-at-home-learning-and.html

Setting Expectations:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/05/tips-for-working-at-home-setting.html

How To Leave Work And Have Fun Doing It:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/06/tips-for-working-at-home-how-to-leave.html

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/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Vineyard near La Seyne-sur-Mur, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Vineyard near La Seyne-sur-Mur, France

acrylic paint of canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201805065

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/613167103/vineyard-near-la-seyne-sur-mur-france

Please visit my show at:

540WMain
540 West Main Street
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 420-8439
Open by appointment or according to class/event calendar available at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1001003383384929/

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

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

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Danube Reflection - The Wachau Valley

WELCOME TO THE WACHAU VALLEY! A region known for its high-quality wines and delightful villages.

Dürnstein was founded in 1019 AD as "Tirnstein," which means "dry stone."

Dürnstein is a village of 800+ people living on one street between the castle and the river.

Dürnstein is famous for its wine and the place of imprisonment of King Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart). Apparently, King Richard went to Acre in the Crusades. While there, he took down Leopold V, Duke of Austria's flag and stepped on it. Obviously, this offended Leopold. So, when Richard was returning from the Holy Lands he had to make a detour through Vienna on his way back to England. Knowing he upset Leopold, he dressed as a common soldier while in the city. But, he was recognized in a bar because he wore a fancy ring. Richard was arrested and shipped down to Dürnstein Castle for his imprisonment. Of course, he was held for a King's Ransom (about 100,000 pounds of silver).

Interesting mural in a pediment.

Stift Dürnstein (Abbey Church of Durnstein) - Constructed in 1410, this was a monastery for monks until 1788. Emperor Joseph II required monasteries to provide schools in exchange for the privilege of having these institutions. The monks refused, were kicked out, and part of it is a school today for 18 local students.