Saturday, October 22, 2016

Danube Reflection - Český Krumlov, Czech Republic and a Little Bit of Linz, Austria


Vítejte v České republice! Europe may no longer have border checks, but you are required to pull over to a duty free shop and take a shot of Becherovka when entering the Czech Republic. Here's our guide, Michael, passing out our obligatory drink at 9am. The liquor is commonly drank at all time of the day for digestive health, contains a variety of herbs, and is 38% alcohol.




VÍTEJTE do Českého Krumlova! Cesky Krumlov was settled by mostly Germans when building started in 1240. Various monarchs and their nobility owned the town and castle until 1945. Since the fall of the Communist government in 1989, the town has been under restoration.




View of Castle and town



Náměstí Svornosti (Square) - Is that another plague column I see?

Walking down Soukenická Street

The building to the right housing Jakub restaurant was constructed in the 14th century and the exterior was painted by Josef Palouda 

"Mirror, mirror tell me who is the most beautiful in the world?" Just a bit of street art.

Strolling down Široká Street

Castle Tower - While parts of the structure were started in the 13th century, it's current state was built in the 1590s to update the castle to a Renaissance style. 

Another view of the tower.

Latrán Street

More Latrán Street

Arch over the street for the monarchs. It was a skyway for royalty so they didn't have to mingle with regular people.

Sv. Jošt (St Jobst) Church steeple, which is now the home to the Marionette Museum

Courtyard of the castle.

Another courtyard

There's Dick checking out the souvenir shop.

Castle Theater - We were fortunate enough to view this Baroque theater. Constructed in 1680, it's so delicate that it's only used 3 times a year and only a handful of people are allowed to view it for tours each week. Everything in here is original. They even have the special effects equipment and costumes. Only the candles have been replaced with candlelight simulated electric lights because of fire hazard. This is someone else's photo I found on the internet.

View of Cesky Krumlov on the banks of the Vltava River from the castle.

One last look at a remarkably beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site.

WILLKOMMEN IN LINZ, ÖSTERREICH! This is the Hauptplatz (Main Square) in Linz, Austria. I'm not positive, but I'm guessing that's another "thank you for letting us survive the plague" momument. 


Front door of the cathedral


Strolling down Altstadt Street


View of church steeple down Hofgasse Street

Possible Plague Pillar in Hauptplatz with Alter Dom (Old Cathedral) in the background.

Video of the ARS Electronica Center changing colors. Unfortunately, the cruise took off before I could capture the other shapes and designs of the building.



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Friday, October 21, 2016

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence, 2016
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" in a vintage frame (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm in a vintage frame) 
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Our bikes race up and down the gentle hills of Provence.  Everything has a distinct texture, the colors are vibrant, and the perfume in the air is intoxicating.  And every twisting road we turn down has countless rows of purple and blue lavender.  The heat of the Mediterranean sun presses against our backs as we pedal back to the village of Sault.  I'll never forget the fields of France.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:



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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Danube Reflection - Grein, Austria


WELCOME TO GREIN, AUSTRIA! A small village of about 2,900 people on the Danube River. Grein roughly translates into "shriek" or "scream" in old German. The Danube use to be very treacherous here and the city was named after shipwrecked sailors yelling and their widow's cries. 




Stadttheater Grein. Notice the three dates on the building. 1468 was the year it was constructed as a granery. 1563 is when it became a rathhaus (city hall). 1791 is when it installed a theater. Emperor Josef II encouraged the construction of theaters so the proceeds could be used to fund poor houses. A cause that was really supported by citizens after a major flood. 


Inside Stadttheater Grein, the oldest theater in Austria. Lots of funny and interesting facts about this theater. The first couple of rows had an early form of season ticket holders. To guarantee your seat, you were given a key. When you weren't at the show, you'd fold your seat to the back and lock it so there was no place for a person to sit. 

Shows use to be very, very long. So, there's a small bathroom located stage right for the audience. The only barrier was a small curtain. This meant if an exciting, funny, or climatic scene was about to happen you could peek out the curtain and not miss a thing. "It didn't smell nice near the bathroom, so these seats were cheaper..."

This building also had a small jail that was located stage left. To keep the prisoners entertained, they gnawed a hole in the wall so they could watch from their cell. The audience was very kind to the prisoners bringing them food and drinks during the show. A somewhat selfish gesture though because this was to prevent them from yelling and disrupting the show.

I think this is my favorite theater.

St. Giles Church - Saint Giles was a hermit living in the woods of Septimania and Provence. He foraged for food and drank the milk from a deer. Because of this, St. Giles is the patron saint of lactating mothers.

Looking toward the Danube from Böhmergasse

View of the Wachau Valley from the Grein cemetery.

View of the Danube from the grounds of Schloss Greinburg

View of old town with mist rising of the mountains in the background.

DANCE PARTY ON THE CRUISE!

And yes, Marianne is to the far left dancing with her tiny hands... YEAH!!!

More vacation posts at:
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Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Hello Panda Bear

Hello Panda Bear #187
gouache and ink bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN 

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions & Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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Tuesday, October 18, 2016

HAPPY 3RD SCOUT-IVERSARY!

HAPPY 3RD SCOUT-IVERSARY!
A few photos of our annual walk through Corbett's Glen to celebrate Scout coming to live with us.





Previous Scout-iversarys!
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Monday, October 17, 2016

Winter Woods

Winter Woods, 2016
Acrylic on Canvas Board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It's a chilly late afternoon in the forest.  The snow glows on the creaking branches of the trees.  All I hear is the crunching of my boots down the icy path.  This is the season of hibernation.  A time of reflection and calm.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:



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