It Almost Kinda Feels Like It Might Be Spring

Anyone in the market for a good Elvis lamp?  There was a good one at the public market garage sale this past weekend...

Some good stuff, but didn't really find anything we wanted.  Maybe next time...

 Megan and I went to go support a friend participating in the Flower City Challenge Half-Marathon. (http://www.flowercitychallenge.com/)

Here's a kid giving fives to runners as they enter the gates to Mt. Hope Cemetery.

RUN!

"Ugh, I wouldn't wanna run up that."

The gazebo and gatehouse for the cemetery

A cobblestone hill doesn't seem like the ideal road to run a marathon on.  We were very close to seeing dozens of broken ankles.

Drums and bagpipes are an interesting way to pump up runners.  I liked it though.

Scout really likes the runners and was disappointed we didn't let her race.

Had some work to do at the Abbott's in Bushnell's Basin.  Megan liked it because it was a good excuse for ice cream.

Please check out my art at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

Hemlock Lake

Hemlock Lake, 2014

acrylic paint on canvas board

7" x 9" 

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/187678009/hemlock-lake-7-x-9-by-mike-kraus

A day trip to the Finger Lakes.  Well-tended wineries and old rustic farms nestle the rolling hills carved by the pure glacier water.  Wild Cardinal Flowers border the fertile soil of this famous agricultural region.  The sky is a perfect shade of blue and the air smells so fresh.  It can feel like an earthly paradise.

This piece would work best in a space that is jade green, red, or bright yellow.

Meerkat On a Field of Red

Meerkat On a Field of Red , 2014

acrylic on canvas

10" x 10"

© copyright Mike Kraus

To puchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/187361236/meerkat-on-a-field-of-red-10-x-10-by

Today, in the Kalahari Desert, he is a sentry while the others in his clan forage and play.  If there is danger, he will bark to tell the others to hide.  But, there is no danger today.  Yet, he will remain on duty while the others race and wrestle in the sun.


This painting would look best somewhere that needs a splash of color like a beige foyer or small wall space.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

The Easter Goblin

This is the Easter Bunny that visited our house this year...

Bella and Scout having fun in the puppy wrestling room on Easter.

Scout is very tough and Bella's very gentle.  Perfect match.  Don't worry about Bella.  She's on medicine for a vitamin deficiency.  Scout's not that tough...

 Poor Scout.  So tired from playing all day.  Comes home completely covered in dog slobber.  Too sleepy to fight her bath...

"Hi water.  I hate you..."

In the spirit of the holiday, Scout rises from the dead!

It was a long day in the puppy nest.  

Scout looks like she still has a puppy playtime hangover on our hike to the library.  Hope everyone had a good Easter.

Please check out my art at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

SUMMER DAYS! (Limited Time ONLY)

Bringing a little bit of Chicago to Rochester.  Take a nice walk on a 80 degree day, running errands, with an adult Capri Sun...

Unlimited entertainment.  The neighbors are chopping down/trimming a bunch of trees.  I've never seen such creative use of a chainsaw before.

FINALLY!  Megan walking Scout through Linear Park for the first time on my commute to work.  This was a really big weekend for Scout with all the walks and all.  With the warm sun out, she discovered that she does like going outside now. 

Megan and Scout along Irondequoit Creek.   

Heaven is sitting on the porch chewing a stick 

 A good place to cool off and hide from Megan's scary rake.

This was a good weekend.

Time to rest now that winter is coming back...

Please check out my art at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

Finger Lake of Upstate New York

Finger Lake of Upstate New York, 2014

oil pastels on paper

4 1/4" x 3 1/2" in a 9 1/4" x 11 3/4" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/185976649/finger-lake-of-upstate-new-york-4-14-x-3?ref=shop_home_active_1

A day trip to the Finger Lakes.  Well-tended wineries and old rustic farms nestle the rolling hills carved by the pure glacier water.  Wild Cardinal Flowers border the fertile soil of this famous agricultural region.  The sky is a perfect shade of blue and the air smells so fresh.  It can feel like an earthly paradise.

This piece would work best in a space that is jade green, red, or bright yellow.

Vision Quest

Vision Quest, 2014

acrylic

10" x 8" in a 12" x 10" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/185873699/vision-quest-10-x-8-in-a-12-x-10-frame?ref=shop_home_active_1

Twilight along the shores of the Great Lake. In the valley between the dunes is a cluster of birch. Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees. A humble spot secluded by nature. A perfect place to find one's purpose in life.This piece would work in almost a space with grayish purple, blue, deep red, or grey.

For more information or custom order, please visit:https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt or my personal blog http://www.MikeKraus.blogspot.com

Just Another Day At the Office

 Just another day at the office.  Scout and I made our commute from the bedroom to the living room.  Light traffic for a Monday.  I'm fortunate to have a window in my office.  It keeps the creative juices flowing.

Time to get to work.  Put on my reading glasses and work on the "to-do" list.  Lots of paper work.  Things to file.  Getting final approvals. 

 Senior Management Meeting.  Scout's the leader of the operation.  Beaker's the brains.  I'm tasked with "gettin' stuff done."

 Coffee Break.  This is where the real business gets done.  The place where the important meetings take place.  It's all about relationships.  And, knowing what you have to do to get rewards.

Five o'clock.  We've earned time to put on our slippers, sit back, and have a nice cold drink.  To enjoy the good life.  Work hard, play hard.    Most importantly, don't take stuff so seriously and remember to have fun.

Also, if you're on Etsy, please visit my new shop at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Oh the Humanity

Oh the Humanity, 2014

pen and ink on paper

6 1/2" x 4 1/2" in a 12 1/2" x 10 1/2" frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

$23 + shipping

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/184982750/oh-the-humanity-6-12-x-4-12-in-a-12-12-x?ref=shop_home_active_1

With over seven billion people on earth, it's hard to imagine that each one is an unique individual.  No two people are genetically the same, not even "identical twins."  Our DNA is always changing and mutating.  People come in infinite shapes and sizes.  An immeasurable diversity that can be easy to forget.

This piece would work in almost any space with its use of black and white in a neutral frame

Puppy Torture [VIDEO]

Thanks to Katie and Vern, Scout now has a pair of socks to wear around the house.  I'm pretty sure she has a more extensive wardrobe than I do now.

Video of Megan and I making Scout run around the house in her socks.

At least you always know how she feels...

action shot 

All she's missing is an elf hat (Katie, don't buy her an elf hat...) 

Please stop. 

[Mike] How ya doin', Scout?
[Scout] If this is what it's gonna be like with you bein' home all da time, ya need ta get another job.
[Mike] Aren't ya havin' fun?

[Scout] Don't push it.  I know where ya sleep...

Added another eight inches of snow the other day.  Started off with a nice ice storm for a good base.  It ended up being the heaviest snow I've ever shoveled.

 Pine trees are pretty weighed down.

With the ice, the snow really grips all the trees and bushes.  Thankfully, it's been nice for the last few days and this has been melting pretty quickly.  We've had about 112 inches of snow this winter, which is only about 18 inches more than average.  Ready for spring...

 More canvases on the assembly line.  If you haven't noticed yet, I've started my own Etsy page.  If you are on Etsy, I'd appreciate if you "favorite" my shop and follow me.  I'll return the favor.  Any suggestions would be appreciated as well.  Please visit at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

 My new boss reviewing my work.  "This is nice, but I'd prefer more treats."

Even the daffodils are a little too eager for spring.

That's about it for now.  Been pretty busy lately.  THANKS AGAIN and please let me know if you need anything!