Mike Kraus

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

The Raccoon

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

The Raccoon #397

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202010095

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/234445844/raccoon-397-artist-trading-cards-25-x-35

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

The raccoon: official Coronavirus (COVID-19) mascot. Always wears a mask, constantly washes hands, and stays home in its den for weeks at a time. Stay safe!

Having Fun During Coronavirus

Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/halloween-gravedigger-flashlight-game.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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game: Having Fun During Coronavirus

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game: Having Fun During Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed how we celebrate Halloween, but it won't stop us from having fun. Here's a fun game, especially on a dark, foggy, autumn night.

1) What You Need - A flashlight, yard, black/dark clothes, and a dark and eerie night.

2) Set Up - Use items to mark "graves." It can be anything, but cardboard tombstones can be fun to make beforehand. Spread them out evenly throughout yard.

Place 4 "cemetery exit" alarms equally around the yard. These should be something that light up or make a noise (ie - bells, whistles, kazoo, lantern, etc).

3) Choose the Gravedigger - It can be completely random. Draw straws, closest birthday, etc. Give them the flashlight. To have extra fun, wear an oversized black coat/blanket and carry a shovel.

4) Choose your Grave - Lie down in the marked grave. You and everyone else are now a Zombie

5) Play Game - The game starts when the Gravedigger says "Who goes there?" The Zombies must crawl to one of the 4 exits to set off the alarm. But, if the Gravedigger shines the flashlight on you while moving or making noise, you must return to your grave they say "back to your stone wayward soul." You may remain if you're perfectly still and quiet.

6) Other Movements - The Gravedigger cannot touch the Zombies. But, the Gravedigger is allowed to try to trick you into moving, laughing, or making other noises.

7) New Gravedigger - The first Zombie to reach a cemetery exit and say "Mmmm... Brains!" is the new Gravedigger. All Zombies must return to their graves.

AND 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.

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

Monday, October 19, 2020

Latest Winter Fashions

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Latest Winter Fashions #396

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202010094

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/236466225/latest-winter-fashions-396-artist

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

The thing about other people is when they breathe, cough, and talk their infected droplets get into your mouth, nose, and eyes. Eventually those droplets get into your lungs. That can happen from 6 feet away. Ew! We can create a style with a higher standard - i.e., a pop of color or a pattern. By covering your nose and mouth, you are telling the world you have loved ones with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old parents/grandparents. You are saying "I love my family and friends and I don't want them to die alone on a ventilator drowning in their own lungs.

With only one mask, you need to take every opportunity to make it count. What's the best way to do this? Well, find a mask that fits your personality at: Etsy Masks (https://www.etsy.com/market/masks). Luckily, there are so many exceptional piece that won't break the bank. This includes beautiful masks with original Mike Kraus Art (https://society6.com/mikekraus/masks). With over 200 designs, there's a fun and creative piece just for you. Check out our sexy selection of statement-making masks, all at an affordable price at: Etsy Masks (https://www.etsy.com/market/masks)

More about how masks save lives at: https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/your-questions-about-cloth-face-coverings-answered/

Having Fun During Coronavirus

Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

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

Friday, October 16, 2020

Hemlock Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Hemlock Lake

acrylic paint on canvas board

202010093

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

To purchase, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/708800293

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

Over 100 homes and 5 hotels used to ring Hemlock Lake connected by 5 large ships.  The pollution began to poison the waters.  In 1852, the City of Rochester began to process of improving water quality after contamination lead to a massive disease outbreak.  Over 5,000 acres were purchased and all buildings demolished to improve the water's purity.  Today, it's the prime example of how to live with these sacred lakes.

Having Fun During Coronavirus
Art Project: 
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/07/art-project-having-fun-during.html
Building a Fire Pit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/building-fire-pit-having-fun-during.html
Share Heart of Hope:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/coronaviruscovid-19-heart-of-hope.html
Hiking:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/hiking-having-fun-during-coronavirus.html
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley-parlor-game.html
Celebrating Women:
 https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/celebrating-women-having-fun-during.html
Have A Picnic:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-picnic-having-fun-during.html
You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/you-havent-seen-that-game-having-fun.html
Have Some Theme Spirit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-some-theme-spirit-having-fun.html
Working For the Weekend:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/working-for-weekend-having-fun-during.html
Honor and Remembrance:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/honor-and-remembrance-having-fun-during.html
Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

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

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Choose Your Own Title: "This Is 40" or "COVID-40"

BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT!

Can you believe of the dozen of photos this is the best bubble Megan made?

Megan took the day off of work and we celebrated all around the Finger Lakes. We started off the day having a picnic breakfast at Bare Hill Unique Area (https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/37438.html) overlooking Canandaigual Lake and Bristol.

Onward and upward! Visited Conklin's Gully at the High Tor Wildlife Management Area (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24439.html). The vertical climb at the start did burn off the apple cake breakfast. And, it is a pretty amazing very from the edge of the cliff.

Megan preparing lunch at Keuka Lake State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/keukalake/maps.aspx)

It's like living in a brochure for visiting upstate New York.

Bench looking toward Branchport

Megan put all my favorite meats into one sandwich. It was delicious and drove our pup Scout insane.

When magic is delivered to your mailbox

Spiderman says #WearAMask

Seneca Mills Falls on the Keuka Outlet Trail (https://www.keukaoutlettrail.org/) between Penn Yan and Dresden.

If you're going to have ruins, they might as well be beautiful

Megan's Totally Tubular 80's Quiz: Mike Edition. Thanks for everyone who participated. I don't know what's worse: how much I forgot or how much my wife learned...

To go with the 1980s theme, Megan and I split a bag of Big League Chew (https://www.bigleaguechew.com/). It's exactly how I remember it. And I was instantly transported to being an 8 year old playing pee-wee baseball and having the whole bench being yelled at by the coach because we're blowing bubbles instead of paying attention to our game.

Downtown Penn Yan at the end of the trail. It reminded me of the old paths connecting towns and villages in Europe. A perfect setting for Robin Hood and other medieval characters.

If you're going to make pancakes anyway, just use a 28-foot griddle and set a world record.

For all you singles out there, find a partner that will make you sloppy joes and tater tots on your birthday and never let them go..

If you didn't know, Megan is a trained cake decorator. Really? That's amazing! Her creations are scattered throughout my blog over the years. You can tell because she was smart enough to avoid using 40 individual candles. A stylistic choice my asthma appreciates.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TEXTS, POSTS, CALLS, MAIL, AND BIRHTDAY GREETINGS IN OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION!!! I really appreciate it. I love and miss you all. In a year full of difficulty and grief, I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family to celebrate with. When life happens, I'm glad we're all in it together!

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Keep Your Distance

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Keep Your Distance #395

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)
202010092

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/236320912/keep-your-distance-395-artist-trading

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

Social Distancing doesn't mean we can't have fun. Grab your hand sanitizer, masks, wine and join your friends for a Netflix watch party (https://www.netflixparty.com/). You're saving lives by cancelling events you didn't want to attend anyway. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness.

When going out in public, it is important to stay at least 6 feet away from other people and wear a cloth face covering to slow the spread of COVID-19. Consider the following tips for practicing social distancing when you decide to go out.

1) Know Before You Go: Before going out, know and follow the guidance from local public health authorities where you live.
2) Prepare for Transportation: Consider social distancing options to travel safely when running errands or commuting to and from work, whether walking, bicycling, wheelchair rolling, or using public transit, rideshares, or taxis. When using public transit, try to keep at least 6 feet from other passengers or transit operators – for example, when you are waiting at a bus station or selecting seats on a bus or train. When using rideshares or taxis, avoid pooled rides where multiple passengers are picked up, and sit in the back seat in larger vehicles so you can remain at least 6 feet away from the driver. Follow these additional tips to protect yourself while using transportation.
3) Limit Contact When Running Errands: Only visit stores selling household essentials in person when you absolutely need to, and stay at least 6 feet away from others who are not from your household while shopping and in lines. If possible, use drive-thru, curbside pick-up, or delivery services to limit face-to-face contact with others. Maintain physical distance between yourself and delivery service providers during exchanges and wear a cloth face covering.
4) Choose Safe Social Activities: It is possible to stay socially connected with friends and family who don’t live in your home by calling, using video chat, or staying connected through social media. If meeting others in person (e.g., at small outdoor gatherings, yard or driveway gathering with a small group of friends or family members), stay at least 6 feet from others who are not from your household. Follow these steps to stay safe if you will be participating in personal and social activities outside of your home.
5) Keep Distance at Events and Gatherings: It is safest to avoid crowded places and gatherings where it may be difficult to stay at least 6 feet away from others who are not from your household. If you are in a crowded space, try to keep 6 feet of space between yourself and others at all times, and wear a cloth face covering. Cloth face coverings are especially important in times when physical distancing is difficult. Pay attention to any physical guides, such as tape markings on floors or signs on walls, directing attendees to remain at least 6 feet apart from each other in lines or at other times. Allow other people 6 feet of space when you pass by them in both indoor and outdoor settings.
6 ) Stay Distanced While Being Active: Consider going for a walk, bike ride, or wheelchair roll in your neighborhood or in another safe location where you can maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other pedestrians and cyclists. If you decide to visit a nearby park, trail, or recreational facility, first check for closures or restrictions. If open, consider how many other people might be there and choose a location where it will be possible to keep at least 6 feet of space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.

Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Monday, October 12, 2020

Hello Panda Bear

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Hello Panda Bear #394

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)
202010091

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/184982750/hello-panda-bear-394-artist-trading

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and 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.