More About Mike

I've mentioned my friend Mike, the emeritus-organic-chemistry-professor-turned-artist, from time to time. He reads the blog and leaves pithy and hilarious comments, too, which I know have been the source of amusement for many of you.

On very short notice, he and his wife Rebecca got up at the crack of dawn last Saturday and drove an hour to meet me and David to do a photo shoot for the campaign. We can't thank them enough for their generosity and wonderful spirit in helping us out.

Rebecca is a great joke-teller, even at that uncivilized early hour, and between the two of them, they had us laughing our heads off. Maybe some of these weren't usable for campaign photos, but we had a blast, as you can see:

Lately Mike has been up to some amazing painting in a whole new style for him. I just love this new direction he's taking, and I've got my talons on one of the paintings, but I'm not going to tell you which one, because I know how competitive my readers all are, and I know you'd rush in and steal it out from under me before I get to write out the check for it. You would! Don't even deny it!

Take a look at some of the things, and do please notice that the colors go really well with my outfit in the photo up above. I'm sure this means something.

They are wonderful in the photos, but even more wonderful in person. Another friend and I went down to view them on the wall at August First, where they are being displayed, a couple days ago. Two of them were sold almost as soon as he'd hung them! Vermonters, you really should go look, but don't you dare take MINE!

Also, Mike is teaching a continuing ed drawing course, Drawing As A Way of Knowing, this fall at UVM. Sign up to take this course with a very fun person and I'm sure you will learn some great things about drawing while having a great time:

Here's the info:

Drawing As Way of Knowing (Continuing Education Course, 3 credits)

Instructor(s): Michael John Strauss

Location and Class Time:

• For meeting day(s): Thursday
  • Meeting time is 4:00pm to 8:00pm
  • Class location is Angell Room B203
  • Semester Dates: August 30, 2010 to December 9, 2010

 

Comments

[Heather]

I took Chem 101 with Professor Strauss way back in the day. Beautiful paintings.

[gayle]

Looks like he'd better paint fast, or the gallery walls will be bare... Lovely work - the colors just sing!

[Joannah]

Nice paintings! And how great that you don't clash with them!

[Tammy/psmflowerlady]

Love your necklace too - I think I remember you showing it on the blog when you got it! And actually, I think that's a great picture - perhaps not in the somber vein - but great!

[marianne]

You already know my thoughts regarding that series of photos, FABulous! and ZOMG, Mike's paintings!! #3,5,7,8, and 9 are singing sweet songs for me. Yes, I always enjoy seeing comments left by Mike :^D.
oh, to be a Vermonter, sigh.

[Anne]

LOVE the photo - and gee... even tho I NEVER EVER get to see you anymore, I think I was with you when you got that pendant?

[Rhonda from Baddeck]

What a GREAT picture of you! The sunburst on your glasses is a beautiful accent, but your smile and joy are what make it shine.

[Kym]

That is a FABulous photo! :-)

I love the name of the course. . . Drawing as a Way of Knowing. I just went to a gardening conference -- and they talked about gardening as a "way of knowing." Love that idea.

[Seanna Lea]

The paintings almost look like stained glass pieces with light shining through them with the glowing colors and strong black lines. Lovely.

[Elizabeth D]

Starry eyed!!

[Elaine]

LOVE his work!!

[lisa]

I love it when artists get to that place where it's all about color and line, light and shadow. His are great, and they all DO go with your outfit... hmmmm... Check out mom's friend Andrea's paintings (I babysat her girls back in the day), http://www.andreapetersart.com/. Even more impressive is that she paints through her MS, which is pretty debilitating.

Way beyond my price range, though she gifted us a couple of small ones (little bigger than postcards).

[Cookie]

Wonderful photo of you and amazing artwork! What a multi talented friend!

[Lynn]

I am just glad you named the blog "More about Mike" and resisted the urge to call it "More on Mike" Come on, you know it crossed your devious mind! His painting are really nice. Thanks for sharing!

[elizabeth a airhart]

really really good
is your friend part of the daily painters
group -i take the daily paintings in my
e mail box

you are looking good hope thee wins

[Mike]

Thanks for kind words Norma, and to all your blog readers as well. Gotta use some of those comments in my promo material.

[janna]

The paintings are gorgeous - I love them! And that's a great picture of you, too!

[bev]

Seriously coveting the painting on far right, middle row and the photo of you...well, he is one helluva good...great photographer/artist. Very exciting style!