Purple Iris

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Purple Iris

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 6" (20.3 cm x 15.2 cm) 

202004027

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase image, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1003903784/purple-iris-original-digital-download-by

or reproductions at:  https://society6.com/product/purple-iris-by-mike-kraus-flowers-art-flora-mom-mothers-day-gifts-presents-garden-purple-green_print?sku=s6-20175911p4a1v45

Spring gardening is a lot of work with little instant gratification.  There's a lot of weeding, pruning, sowing, tilling, and other activities that look like you've done less than when you started.  Little by little, some seedlings appear and other greenery.  The nightly concern of frost and expectations of deer.  One morning you wake up to unseasonable warm weather and you are surprised a burst of purple miraculously appears in your yard.  Summer must be near.

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

Building A Fire Pit: Having Fun During Coronavirus

Building A Fire Pit: Having Fun During Coronavirus

With all the concerns and anxiety about Coronavirus (COVID-19), we need to find ways to slow down, relax, and enjoy the time we have to ourselves.  To stay safe if we have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.  Take a break from the numbers about infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.  

Staying healthy also means time for relaxation.  The benefits of unwinding are: slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, slowing your breathing rate, improving digestion, maintaining normal blood sugar levels, reducing activity of stress hormones, increasing blood flow to major muscles, reducing muscle tension and chronic pain, improving concentration and mood, improving sleep quality, lowering fatigue, reducing anger and frustration, boosting confidence to handle problems (Mayo Clinic Stress Management).  And what can be more relaxing than a night talking by the fire?

1) Dig a hole the size you'd like for a fire pit.  This is about 40 inches x 40 inches with a depth of about 9 inches.  (Call 811 or your local utility provider before digging)

2) Once dug out, tamp or pack the soil tight and level (Not really seen in this photo).

3) Lay out the cinder blocks in a level square.  Fill in with some of the soil that you've dug out.

4) Next, lay some decorative bricks on top.  Once in place, dump soil or sand on top of the bricks and try to rub it into the seams.

 

Remember to follow local and state guidelines before burning.  And just so we don't add unnecessary stress, here's a link for building a fire: https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Fire.  Once completed, you'll have a simple, cheap fire pit that is easy to maintain, quick to fix, and simple to remove.  

DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!

And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!

More Having Fun During Coronavirus

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:

1) No indoor activities

2) No sharing bathrooms

3) Wash hands before and after gathering.  Don't touch your face.

4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.

5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.

6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)

8) Limit attendance.  Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.

9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels.  Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

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

Summer by the Pool

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Summer by the Pool
acrylic paint on canvas board

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201908071

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

They've been such generous friends.  When her son moved to Florida, they gave him some of their furniture for his spartan apartment.  When Hurricane Dorian threatened his apartment, they offered him a spare bedroom for safe shelter.  How do you thank someone for such kindness.  She thought about it a long time.  What do they love most?  After much contemplation, she saw how much they cherish their home.  Particularly, the well-manicured backyard with a pool.  Spending hot days cooling off with their five beloved pups.  Sounds like heaven.

SEE YOU TOMORROW for Kim Lester's art opening and extended Happy Hours!

Please visit my Brightscapes art show at Mendon 64.  Along with seeing my new works of the Finger Lakes, other activities include art by Nora Gelb Designs, Ann Dauphin, David Tay, guest chef Chris Hobaica , music by: Nick LeDuc, Ryan Barski, Wednesday $1 oysters, Thursday no corkage, and so much more.

Mendon 64

1369 Pittsford Mendon Rd

Mendon, New York 14506

(585) 433-9464

dining@mendon64.com 

For up to date information, please visit:  

https://www.facebook.com/events/381459825832899

To see more of Mike Kraus' artwork, please visit: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com  

See me at 

KettleFest 2019

More information at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1074229096115301/

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

In Da Moonlight

In Da Moonlight, 2014

scratchboard

© copyright Mike Kraus

Nights are longer here.  Only shadows dance in the moonlight of the old farm.  Howls and secretive footsteps can be heard, but nothing seen, in the nearby fields.  The darkness is honest away from civilization.  Much like the people that live in this neck of the woods.

What a Difference a Week Can Make...

Megan and Scout waiting for me to get pizza in Panorama Plaza.  We've actually had a few decent days to take a walk around the neighborhood.  Good because Scouts getting curious and stir crazy these days (like the rest of us...)

And this is why.  Scout trying to find a place to pee early into Winter Storm Vulcan. 

 "Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in!"  

Not bad for one night's worth of snow, eh? 

Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   Shovel, shovel, photo break.   

Ok.  Now Megan can brave the dangerous icy road to get to work...  Next...

Howdy neighbor.  Don't mind me.  Just shoveling off my car. 

Sorry Mr. Mailman.  This is all I had the energy to complete.  I hope you have snowshoes.

Glad a large portion of this has melted off.  It about sums up my week.  Good excuse to stay at home and watch movies and drink cocoa.  But, the fire pit in my backyard is almost visible and making me anxious for summer...

How To Build a Simple Fire Pit

Updated by popular demand.  I've decided to put up a quick post because there has been a lot of interest in how I built this fire pit.  So, here we go.

First, dig a hole the size you'd like for a fire pit.  This is about 40 inches x 40 inches with a depth of about 9 inches.

Once dug out, tamp or pack the soil tight and level (Not really seen in this photo).

Lay out the cinderblocks in a square and level.  Fill in with some of the soil that you dug out.

Next, lay some decorative bricks on top.  Once in place, dump soil or sand on top of the bricks and try to rub it into the seams.

 

TA DA!  You have a simple, cheap fire pit that is easy to maintain, easy to fix, and easy to remove.  

THANKS and please let me know if you need anything or have any questions!

This Long National Nightmare Is Finally Over...

After two very, very long years of looking.  Many, many declined offers.  Failed inspections.  And about a billion other issues, we finally have a home:


Here I am with my very, super excited little wife in front of our little home on 41 Woodside in Penfield


A fireplace in the living room.  


The kitchen.  


First floor bathroom.  Under the vanity has a lot of lost little kid items


Master bedroom


Family room entrance and hutch



rest of the family room


Another bedroom on the second floor



Another bedroom upstairs


The world's most beautiful yellow bathroom.  This picture really doesn't do justice to it...


I'll be adopting a lot of goats to mow this lawn.


Home sweet home!

There are about a million people we have to thank for making it possible for us to even have a home.  It's crazy how long it took and quickly it all ended.  YEAH!