Showing posts with label alcohol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alcohol. Show all posts

Monday, February 12, 2024

Jazz Martini

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Jazz Martini
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202310069
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 

Weekends are for relaxing after a difficult week.  All the mundane burdens are to be forgotten for a couple days.  The sounds of The George Shearing Quintet spinning on the record player.  A shaker of gin and vermouth rattles into a glass.  A perfect moment.

📻 Listen to my interview on NPR's Marketplace at 📻: 

ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:
💚☕🚚 An Enchanting Evening At the Golden Ticket 🚚☕💚:

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 Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Lurie Children's 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 thousands 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:

Monday, May 15, 2023

My Relationship With Whiskey Is On the Rocks

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


My Relationship With Whiskey Is On the Rocks #522
pen, ink, and color pencil on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202305017
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.


IT'S OFFICIAL!  
I've accepted the role of writer for 
ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:  

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 Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Lurie Children's 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 thousands 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:

Friday, August 6, 2021

Extra Salty

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Extra Salty
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202108065
During Prohibition, Americans would sneak across the Mexican border to drink and illegally smuggle alcohol.  Originally, Margarita's (Spanish for "Daisy") was made with brandy, but it transitioned into using tequila.  It's a drink for everyone as it is sweet, sour, and salty.  No wonder it's the most popular mixed drink in the United States.

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


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 thousands 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.

Thursday, June 24, 2021

White Russian

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


White Russian
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202106050
© copyright Mike Kraus

Perle Mesta, US ambassador to Luxembourg in 1949, was known for her lavish parties.  So, when she arrived at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels, the barman Gustave Tops wanted to honor her with a new drink.  It's "Russian" because of it's vodka, but has countless other variations like Belgian with chocolate liqueur, Cuban with rum, Canadian with goat's milk, Mexican with horchata, and "dirty" using chocolate milk.  It also co-starred in the 1998 film The Big Lebowski with Jeff Bridges.  "The Dude abides."

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


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.

Friday, June 11, 2021

Extra Salty

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Extra Salty
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202106044
During Prohibition, Americans would sneak across the Mexican border to drink and illegally smuggle alcohol.  Originally, Margarita's (Spanish for "Daisy") was made with brandy, but it transitioned into using tequila.  It's a drink for everyone as it is sweet, sour, and salty.  No wonder it's the most popular mixed drink in the United States.

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


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.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Extra Salty; no ICE

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Extra Salty; no ICE!
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201907066
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/213359742/extra-salty-no-ice-original-acrylic

During Prohibition, Americans would sneak across the Mexican border to drink and illegally import alcohol.  Originally, Margarita's (Spanish for "Daisy") was made with brandy, but it transitioned into using tequila.  It's a drink for everyone as it is sweet, sour, and salty.  No wonder it's the most popular mixed drink in the United States.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus




Jakelin was a 7-year-old fleeing gang infested Guatemala.  
Felipe Gómez Alonzo died of an infection and the flu at 8-years-old
Juan de León Gutiérrez was 16-years-old when he died from an infection.
A 2-year-old died of pneumonia.

These are just a few of the 15,000 children imprisoned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other United States Government Agencies and their for-profit contractors.  They are being kept in concrete cells, deprived of basic necessities, and starving from hunger.  The filth they are forced to live in has led to flu, lice, and respiratory outbreaks, that are purposefully being neglected.  And guards punish these children for minor offences by taking away their blankets, mats, and forcing them to sleep directly on the concrete floor (Southern Poverty Law Center)

I am extremely disturbed that a country that has shown me and my family such kindness is so cruel to others. This is not about politics. This is about justice, kindness, and truth. These children and parents are fleeing Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala because government-supported gangs are violently attacking them (United Nations). After a dangerous journey, we deny them their rights to asylum (Amnesty International), we kidnap and lose their children (American Civil Liberties Union), cage and sexually assault kids (New York Times), and deny them due process and indefinite imprisonment at detention/internment/concentration camps (Los Angeles Times).  We're allowing them to die in these terrible conditions (NBC News).  And we arrest and try to imprison good, Christians who provide food and water to those in need (The Guardian).

I don't care about politics and find involvement in them to be humiliating.  I do care about honesty, fairness, and respect.  I ask that you remember your family roots, that you search your heart, and confront cruelty in all its forms.

For ways to help, please visit:




Monday, March 27, 2017

Buzzed Science YouTube Show

Learn how Neil deGrasse Tyson turned Megan into a nihilist and buzzed scientist.

What is Buzzed Science?  The way you wished you learned science

Learn about Archimedes' Principle from an octopus wearing scuba gear.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

No Man Is A Thousand Islands

Megan and I are back at the Thousand Islands region of New York.  (http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-1000-reasons-to-love-thousand-islands.html)  This time in the winter.  And not brave enough to camp this time.

View from our room at the 1,000 Islands Harbor Hotel looking toward Pine/Bluff Islands

Tried some Saint Lawrence Spirits at their new tasting room at 510 Riverside Drive in Clayton, NY.   Megan and I sampled a couple flights of vodka, gin, and moonshine.

 As you can tell, these didn't last long...

 Moving on to the absinthe.  There's nothing like a show before having a drink.

If you don't know (because I didn't), this use to be set up during your meal.  While you ate, the ice in the bucket on top would slowly drip onto the tray below.  That would slowly make it's way to the sugar cubes before falling into the cup. 

 Thousand Islands Inn.  There's conflicting stories who and where Thousand Islands dressing was created.  But, this place claims to be the place it was "first served."  Was it "first eaten" here is another question for another sign to answer...

All good vacations include a hot tub at some point. 

 So romantic.  Didn't plan on it being Valentine's Day Weekend.  Nice perk since it came with this, chocolate, a cheese spread, crackers, chocolate covered strawberries, and champagne.  Wonder what would have done if we came up when we originally planned; Super Bowl Sunday?

Swans in love 

View from our room looking toward Grindstone Island

View from our room looking toward Calumet Island 

Megan and I returned to Wellesley Island State Park to do some winter hiking.  We were largely unsuccessful.  The snow largely melted before we arrived.  Then it all froze to the grass and rocks before getting a dusting of snow.  We fell a few times before we even got to the hilly and rocky section because it was too treacherous.  Very unfortunate.

Ice Fishing on Eels Bay

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA BAY!

And we owned that town.  If you've ever been here in the summer, you know how strange this sight looks.  Both times I've been here previously, this was three blocks of motorcycles parked on top of each other.   

 Uncle Sam's Alexandria Belle docked for the winter

Lion's Field ended up being one of the best things we did in Clayton.  Only reason we knew about it was because Megan saw it as she looked down the side streets of Highway 12.  It's an all purpose park that seems to host every type of sport on a small field.  Around the football field, they've turned it into an ice track. 

Megan getting ready to show off her speed skating skills. 

A kid sliding down the ice hill. 

Ice skaters need to yield to the speeding, crashing sledders. 

2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic 500 metre speed skating time trial... 

And she's off! 


What a fun and relaxing weekend in the Thousand Islands.  It's so amazing to have a place like this so close to home.

Friday, December 23, 2016

My Relationship With Whiskey Is On the Rocks

My Relationship With Whiskey Is On the Rocks #203
gouache on 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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Monday, December 30, 2013

"Nowhere special? I always wanted to go there"

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!  OH MY GOD!  OH MY GOD!  OH MY GOD!  Megan and Scout enjoying the morning.  And, it's one of the rare photos where Scout doesn't have her green demon eyes.

I think Scout got more gifts than anyone else in the house this year.  Nothing like getting a new outfit and a tennis ball.

"Correction In Progress."   

Sliding on her blanket into the fireplace. 

The question is:  Are they just really small bottles of liquor or is that just a really large candy bar? 

 The wrapping paper always ends up being the most fun toy.

Gorilla feet slippers are perfect for just lounging around the house. 

"Assess risk and reward" or "defy authority?"  This pretty much sums up Scout's holiday. 

 It's hard to tell who's having more fun.

EXPECTO PATRONUM!  With a spell and a flick of her wrist, Megan can change the channels and all on the TV.  

"If Daniel Radcliffe ever came to our house, we'd have to hide all the Harry Potter stuff because he'd think we're insane."   

"But, it's okay if everyone else, we do know, comes over knows we're insane?"

Mr. Tea enjoying a nice soak in the hot tub.  Creepy that the first instruction for use is "Remove Mr. Tea's Pants."

It's been a rough holiday.

These guys have been elusive lately.  Although, I did see a 6+ point buck race across our yard during Christmas breakfast.   

Hope everyone had a great holiday and a happy new year!  It sounds like all my friends and family in Michigan survived the Great Ice Storm of 2013 and the ensuing prolonged power outages.  Sorry we were unable to see you.  Thanks for all the gifts, food, and kindness.  More to come as I get things assembled and all!!!

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