Sunday, November 1, 2015

Proof That Summer Did Exist (Even If Was Abbreviated...)

 This is the only evidence that I have that I saw my sister this summer.  I'm really getting lazy with taking pics...

THE TWINS!   Here's the questions: Are these really little chairs or really big babies?

The answer: really little babies.  But, they wear Megan and I out.  Too much fun.

Giants vs. the Bills.  This season started with so much promise..  And Eli Manning did not play well.  But, watching the highlights on TV, you would have thought he was a quarterbacking god 

BELL'S BLOOD SHED!  The best idea ever is to combine a family reunion with a Halloween haunted house.   

This was scary.  Scary good!

Mmmm...  Pig roast.

 My favorite moment of the family reunion:

Pig Roaster: (explains Pig meat.  Specifically bacon meat) Do you want to try some of the bacon meat?
Bell Kid: No, I want the heart!
Pig Roaster: (startled) What?  Uh...  Really!
Bell Kid: Oh yeah!

 Handsome Devil!

From the Rochester, Monroe County American Guide:

At Central Ave. and St. Paul St., unveiled in 1899, was dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt, then Governor of New York State. The statue, of bronze on a granite pedestal, designed by Sidney W. Edwards, is inscribed with quotations from speeches of Mr. Douglass.

Frederick Douglass (1807-1895) was born a slave in Easton, Md. Having run away from his master in 1838, he took up residence in New Bedford, Mass. In 1841 he began to lecture against slavery and became famous as an orator. In 1848 he published a newspaper, The North Star, in Rochester. At the outbreak of the Civil War he urged the employment of colored troops and helped organize them. He was an active agent of the Underground Railroad and his home, still standing on Alexander Street, was a refuge and way-station for runaway slaves seeking safety and freedom in Canada. During the administration of Benjamin Harrison, Mr. Douglass was appointed Minister to Haiti. After his death in 1895 his body was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.

This monument to Frederick Douglass had been located near the train station in Rochester, but due to the fact that smoke and congestion became heavy in that area, city authorities moved the statue to Highland Park Bowl in 1941. This location is near the site of his home on South Avenue, which burned in 1872, arson was suspected.

The home on Alexander Street, that served as an Underground Railroad site has been torn down.

The granite section of the monument was made by Smith Granite Co. of Westerly, R.I. The model for the bronze statue was Douglass' son, Charles R. Douglass.
It appears Douglass' birth year is either 1817 or 1818, not 1807 as the guide suggests. 

Personally, I think this monument should be moved back to downtown Rochester in a very prominent spot.  Perhaps Washington Square Park or a new river walk park just off of Main Street.

Remodeling Our Kitchen

Look at what Megan did this summer.  She remodeled our kitchen.  Here's some before and after shots of her hard work:

Before

 After
Before

After

Friday, October 30, 2015

Autumn In the Adirondacks

Autumn In the Adirondacks, 2015
Acrylic on canvas in a handcrafted Gianluca Moretti frame
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) in a 12" x 14" (30.5 cm x 35.6 cm) frame 
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/254038452/autumn-in-the-adirondacks-original

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It was a steep and treacherous hike up the mountain in the Adirondacks.  A wild region full of deer, herons, and chipmunks.  You may even find a moose, coyote, or black bear on these trails.  The dense pine forest opens up to a meadow full of brisk autumn air.  There is a startling calmness.  And from this view, it's as if we can see all six million acres of this park.

It's framed by Gianluca Moretti using yellow poplar wood, and finished with acrylic semi glossy. Gianluca is a woodworker that I partner with on Etsy. You can see more of his frames and more of his pieces at his shop located at: www.etsy.com/shop/MorettisCreations.

FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES!

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence, 2015
acrylic on canvas board
5" x 7"  (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm) 
© 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 lavender and yellow sunflowers.  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 yellow, orange, blue, white, or beige.  

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Monday, October 26, 2015

Night Birch

Night Birch, 2015
scratchboard in a handcrafted Gianluca Moretti frame
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) in a 12" x 14" (30.5 cm x 35.6 cm)frame 
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me. Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming. And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge. I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

It's framed by Gianluca Moretti using yellow poplar wood, and finished with acrylic semi glossy. Gianluca is a woodworker that I partner with on Etsy. You can see more of his frames and more of his pieces at his shop located at: www.etsy.com/shop/MorettisCreations.

This piece would work in a space that is red, pink, burnt orange, yellow, dark green, ultramarine blue, lavender purple, wood, or a neutral beige

FREE SHIPPING IN THE UNITED STATES!

For more information or custom order, please visit:




Friday, October 23, 2015

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence, 2015
acrylic on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm) 
© 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 lavender and yellow sunflowers.  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 yellow, orange, blue, white, or beige.  

For more information or custom order, please visit:



Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Night Birch

Night Birch, 2015
Scratchboard
7 "x 8" in a frame (17.8 cm x 20.3 cm in a frame)
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me. Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming. And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge. I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

This painting would look best somewhere that has saturated rich colors 

For more information or custom order, please visit:



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