Friday, March 20, 2020

Lavender Farm

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Lavender Farm
acrylic paint on canvas
24" x 48" (60.9 cm x 121.9 cm)
202003010
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/202520834/lavender-farm-original-acrylic-painting

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 medium-to-large space that is light red, yellow, orange, green, blue, deep purple, black, white, grey, beige, 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.


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Thursday, March 19, 2020

Love In The Time Of Coronavirus

OFF TO CELEBRATE KATIE AND DANIELS WEDDING!  

Quick stop in Peekskill, NY to get a headstart on our trip.  So, we spend the evening  at the Birdsall House (http://birdsallhouse.net/), The Quiet Man Public House (http://thequietmanpublichouse.com/) and Gleason's (http://www.gleasonspeekskill.com/)

Here's a surprise.  The Inn On the Hudson (https://innonthehudson.com) really lives up to it's name.  But, the location is a blessing and a curse.  While it does have a wonderful view, the noise is pretty obnoxious.  Much worse than our hotel in NYC.  There's a highway and a railroad just below this view.  And, for some reason, the train blows it's whistle all night long.  As the Blues Brothers said:  

Jake: How often does the train go by? 
Elwood: So often you won't even notice it.

Looking west on the Hudson River

Looking south on the Hudson River

FIRST DRINKS OF 2020 ON THE PATIO! 

WE'RE COMING KATIE AND DANIEL!  Taking the Metro-North train (http://www.mta.info/mnr) into the city.  


With a train and construction site, still quieter than Peekskill...  Also had a white noise machine.

It's incredible how many new buildings are being constructed or recently finished.  Not what I expected at all.

View of Manhattan looking north from Gantry Plaza State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/gantryplaza/details.aspx)

View of United Nations Headquarters (https://visit.un.org/) on Manhattan looking west from Gantry Plaza State Park

View of Manhattan looking southwest from Gantry Plaza State Park 

Whoops...  Extreme close up

There we go

Buildings piled on buildings piled on more buildings.

NYC grocery stores still have groceries.  So, Katie had a fun improvised bridal shower with everyone's favorite snacks.

Katie, Vern, and Cotton

Welcome to Long Island City.

My 5 year old nephew Nolan would love all the little emergency vehicles in NYC.  Real life Paw Patrol.

Quite a spread at Sek'end Sun (https://www.sekendsun.com/) in Astoria.  Also, what I've learned from this trip is Daniel and Katie have a sixth sense for knowing when a camera is about to click.

The amazing couple



Passing through Times Square on our way to a birthday brunch with Marisa.  Only my 2nd time here, but much less crowded than the 1st time on a chilly February night at 11pm or so. 

View from Greenpoint Loft (https://www.greenpointloft.com/) in Brooklyn.  This place deserves the most stars, kudos, karma, etc.  In the middle of a pandemic with new restrictions, CDC recommendations, a rapidly changing guest list, panic shoppers, and countless other issues; they put on a fun wedding and reception.  Their level of professionalism was outstanding.

A bit of future inspiration


The view toward the East River

Dolled up before getting messed up on the dance floor

A few icons in the skyline.

Social distancing doesn't mean you can't dance.

We were at table 4, which means we get to see Daniel and Katie photos at age 4.

 Did people even have fun at weddings before photobooths?



Finally I get to be in a B-movie about a giant Chiweenie


KATIE, VERN, AND DANIEL ARE NOW A FAMILY!

Katie and Daniel, Thank you for inviting us to your wedding.  YAY!  YOU'RE MARRIED!  And that's the most important thing.  While almost nothing went according to plan, it was a lot of fun.  And you will get lots of bonus karma points for grace under pressure.  At the very least, if the apocalypse does happen someday, we hope the same group of people will be together because we'll go out with style.  You two deserve only the best.  CONGRATS!!!  

The party is over and on our way back home passing through Grand Central Station (https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/)

Seriously?  We need some leadership to put a "steady hand on the wheel" because this panic shopping is getting out of control.  We went to 8 different stores and none of them had bread, toilet paper, Pepto Bismol, and countless other products.  We just wanted to get a few things for the house and all that was available was frozen pizza, pasta, and mac and cheese.  

Why are people hoarding toilet paper?

Also, why are people hoarding everything else?

Scout doesn't know it yet, but she's going to love Megan's new routine.  The Coronavirus closed Megan's office for at least 2 weeks.  So, she'll be working from home.  So, we had to improvise a new office space for her.

That's it from Coronavirus in-home isolation.  Stay safe out there.  Remember to cough into your elbow, don't touch your face, practice social-distancing, and wash your hands.  We'll get through this together.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Winter Glow

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Winter Glow
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
202001005
© copyright Mike Kraus

Winter isn't always gloomy.  The grey clouds do break in the morning sun.  The crisp air snaps in the warmth of the sunlight.  The snow and ice on branches sparkle.  You find what you look for.



More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:

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:
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Thursday, March 12, 2020

Erin's Peonies

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Erin's Peonies
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201912121
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase image, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/610898708/erins-peonies-original-instant-download
or for accessories and home decor, please visit: https://society6.com/product/erins-peonies-by-mike-kraus-art-peony-flowers-gardens-flora-pink-grey-yellow-blue-beautiful-still_print?sku=s6-13521825p4a1v45

In the summer, she'd play in the garden while her grandmother pruned and weeded.  The vegetable patch would provide some extras for dinner.  The small orchard would have some sweet fruits.  And the herb garden would give everything a bit more flavor.  But, it was the beauty of the peonies she fell in love with.  Now, with a home and garden of her own, it's a little reminder of summer's with her grandma.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
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Monday, March 9, 2020

Café Bliss

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Café Bliss
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) in a frame
201909079
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/211104389/cafe-bliss-original-acrylic-painting-8-x

Beauty is a way of life. As others are distracted by their smartphones, tedious jobs, and wasteful chores, I relax and contemplate my gratitude in the warm sunlight.... I'm thankful for this moment, which is aided by slowly sipping my morning coffee.

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

 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.

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