Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Vision Quest XXVII

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXVII
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

This piece would work in a space that is dark orange, dark yellow, green, light red, blue, purple, black, white, 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



My family came to America at different times for a myriad of reasons: the French to settle new land, the English and Germans for business opportunities, and the Irish to escape cruel oppression. The United States was a beacon of hope that only required our allegiance to the Constitution.

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 (https://www.rescue.org/article/what-causing-growing-humanitarian-crisis-along-us-mexico-border). After a dangerous journey, we deny them their rights to asylum (https://www.amnestyusa.org/campaigns/refugee-and-migrant-rights/), we kidnap and lose their children (https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/family-separation), cage and sexually assault children (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/us/immigrant-children-sexual-abuse.html?fbclid=IwAR1613Noe_Lczrx4etRHBNLxQS2BSlLu6Pr16uxKkaQy3U7wzl2V3211y_0), and deny them due process and indefinite imprisonment at detention/internment/concentration camps (https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-katz-immigrant-concentration-camps-20190609-story.html).  We're allowing them to die in these terrible conditions (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/24-immigrants-have-died-ice-custody-during-trump-administration-n1015291).  And we arrest and try to imprison good, Christians who provide food and water to those in need (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/11/arizona-activist-migrant-water-scott-daniel-warren-verdict).

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:
https://www.raicestexas.org/



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Monday, June 17, 2019

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201906054
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/540877142/sunflowers-and-lavender-in-provence

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 and blue lavender.  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 red, orange, yellow, dark 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



My family came to America at different times for a myriad of reasons: the French to settle new land, the English and Germans for business opportunities, and the Irish to escape cruel oppression. The United States was a beacon of hope that only required our allegiance to the Constitution.

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 (https://www.rescue.org/article/what-causing-growing-humanitarian-crisis-along-us-mexico-border). After a dangerous journey, we deny them their rights to asylum (https://www.amnestyusa.org/campaigns/refugee-and-migrant-rights/), we kidnap and lose their children (https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/family-separation), cage and sexually assault children (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/us/immigrant-children-sexual-abuse.html?fbclid=IwAR1613Noe_Lczrx4etRHBNLxQS2BSlLu6Pr16uxKkaQy3U7wzl2V3211y_0), and deny them due process and indefinite imprisonment at detention/internment/concentration camps (https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-katz-immigrant-concentration-camps-20190609-story.html).  We're allowing them to die in these terrible conditions (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/24-immigrants-have-died-ice-custody-during-trump-administration-n1015291).  And we arrest and try to imprison good, Christians who provide food and water to those in need (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/11/arizona-activist-migrant-water-scott-daniel-warren-verdict).

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:
https://www.raicestexas.org/



at
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Friday, June 14, 2019

Nikki Beach In Saint-Tropez, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Nikki Beach In Saint-Tropez, France
acrylic paint on canvas board
201906053
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

At the north end of Rue Sibille, we made our plans for the day under the shade of a lone tree in a pocket plaza.  Lazily making an itinerary with a bottle of L'Opale de la Presqu'Ile de Saint-Tropez Cotes de Provence Rose.  We sauntered around collecting our bread, meats, and cheese "en pointe."  We follow the narrow lane of Rue du Portalet around the bend to Nikki Beach.  For the rest of the day, we enjoy the hot sun and and gently splashing water realizing how grateful we are to be here.

This piece would work best is a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, yellow, green, dark blue, purple, black, white, grey, or light 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



My family came to America at different times for a myriad of reasons: the French to settle new land, the English and Germans for business opportunities, and the Irish to escape cruel oppression. The United States was a beacon of hope that only required our allegiance to the Constitution.

 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 (https://www.rescue.org/article/what-causing-growing-humanitarian-crisis-along-us-mexico-border). After a dangerous journey, we deny them their rights to asylum (https://www.amnestyusa.org/campaigns/refugee-and-migrant-rights/), we kidnap and lose their children (https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/family-separation), cage and sexually assault children (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/us/immigrant-children-sexual-abuse.html?fbclid=IwAR1613Noe_Lczrx4etRHBNLxQS2BSlLu6Pr16uxKkaQy3U7wzl2V3211y_0), and deny them due process and indefinite imprisonment at detention/internment/concentration camps (https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-katz-immigrant-concentration-camps-20190609-story.html).  We're allowing them to die in these terrible conditions (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/24-immigrants-have-died-ice-custody-during-trump-administration-n1015291).  And we arrest and try to imprison good, Christians who provide food and water to those in need (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/11/arizona-activist-migrant-water-scott-daniel-warren-verdict).

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:
https://www.raicestexas.org/

at
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Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Cabin In Treman State Park

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Cabin In Treman State Park
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Our feet are sore after hiking along Enfield Creek to see Lucifer Falls.  It's a rocky gorge full of cliffs, stairs, and waterfalls.  There's an explosion of color that matches the roar of the water.  At the end of the rim trail is the cabin.  A perfect place to get away from the world.

This painting would look best in a space that is green, red, violet, purple, brown  beige, black, white, or on wood.


More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:
www.bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/

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.

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Monday, June 10, 2019

The Burrito

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
The Burrito
acrylic paint on canvas board
201906052
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Around 10,000 B.C., a corn tortilla food wrap became a common dinner in Mesoamerica.  For thousands of years and countless generations, the recipe was passed on and evolved.  The Pueblo Native American of southwestern United States and northern Mexico ate it as a staple meal.  Cowboys roaming California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Guanajuato found it to be an easy meal to eat while rounding up cattle.  There's a couple legends where the name "burrito" came from.  One says it's because a street vendor in Ciudad Juárez named Juan Méndez sold the meal while riding a donkey.  Another claims it came from a term of endearment used by a man selling lunches to poor school children.  Today, the burrito is served in an infinite amount of restaurants in a myriad of varieties.  Yet another example of how food shows we have more in common than we have in differences. 

Alrededor de 10.000 aC, una envoltura de tortilla de maíz se convirtió en una cena común en Mesoamérica. Durante miles de años e innumerables generaciones, la receta se transmitió y evolucionó. El pueblo nativo americano del suroeste de los Estados Unidos y el norte de México lo comió como una comida básica. Los vaqueros que vagaban por California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Nuevo México, Colorado, Texas y Guanajuato consideraron que era una comida fácil de comer mientras redondeaban el ganado. Hay un par de leyendas de donde vino el nombre "burrito". Uno dice que es porque un vendedor ambulante en Ciudad Juárez llamado Juan Méndez vendió la comida mientras montaba un burro. Otro afirma que proviene de un término de cariño usado por un hombre que vende almuerzos a niños de escuelas pobres. Hoy en día, el burrito se sirve en una cantidad infinita de restaurantes en una gran variedad de variedades. Otro ejemplo más de cómo la comida muestra que tenemos más en común que diferencias.


This piece would work best is a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, or light wood.   

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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.

at
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Friday, June 7, 2019

Els Quatre Gats

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Els Quatre Gats
acrylic paint on canvas board
201906052
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Imagine wandering the medieval streets of Barcelona after a late night at a sailor's bar in 1900.  You stumble in to one of the few places still open at that time of night; Els Quatre Gats.  You were hoping to see Santiago Rusiñol, Miguel Utrillo, or Ramon Casa i Carbó debating the state of art.  In the back, a young artist named Pablo Picasso is having his first one-man show.  "Els Quatre Gats" is Catalan slang for "just a few people."  Very true tonight as you decide what snack to pair with your coffee.

Imagineu-vos passejar pels carrers medievals de Barcelona després de la nit a la barra d'un mariner el 1900. Arribareu a un dels pocs llocs encara oberts en aquella hora de la nit; Els Quatre Gats. Esperàveu veure Santiago Rusiñol, Miguel Utrillo o Ramon Casa i Carbó debatent sobre l'estat de l'art. Al darrere, un jove artista anomenat Pablo Picasso té el seu primer espectacle individual. "Els Quatre Gats" és un argot català per "només unes poques persones". Molt cert aquesta nit, ja que decideixes quina mescla es pot combinar amb el teu cafè.



This piece would work best is a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, or light wood.   

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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.

at
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Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Sunset Sherbert Birch Tree at RoCo's 6x6x2019

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Tree
acrylic on canvas board
6" x 6" (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm)
201903029
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/sunset-sherbert-birch-tree_print?sku=s6-11106833p4a1v45

My Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) 6x6x2019 piece sold!  And congrats to all the other artists who's pieces also found new homes.  Supporting your local arts organization, like RoCo, is important.  The arts allows us to express our humanity in ways that cannot be explored any other way.  It can take us to places real and imagined.  It breaks the boundaries of language, nation, race, and religion.  It allows us to feel happy, empathy, love, and sorrow.  It records who we are as people today for future generations to understand where they came from and help them to where they are going.  It's a small gesture.  Only $20.  But it's the small things coming together that make greatness.  So, I hope you'll visit RoCo in person in the near future or online at: http://www.rochestercontemporary.org/exhibitions/6x6x2019/

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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:
at
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