Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

馃彫 What place felt relaxing when everything else was overwhelming? 馃彫

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


I remember the first time I wandered into Medici on 57th as a student at the University of Chicago, half lost in my own thoughts and not entirely sure where I belonged yet. The place felt alive in a way that was hard to explain, like it had been holding onto stories long before I arrived. The smell of fresh coffee and warm pizza drifted through the room, mixing with the quiet hum of conversation and the feeling that time moved a little differently inside those walls. I would sit there longer than I planned, watching people come and go, realizing that this small space had somehow become a kind of anchor in the middle of everything else.

Years later, I can still remember the taste of those late meals, simple and familiar, shared between classes or after long nights when the world felt both overwhelming and full of possibility. It was never just about the food, it was about having a place that held those moments for you, somewhere you could return to even after you had moved on.

If one quiet corner of your space could bring you back to a time and place that grounded you, would you let it?

馃彫 On a Chicago Street Corner 馃彫
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
For great memories, please visit:
馃嚭馃嚫 For MayDay 2026, let’s celebrate Freedom in the most meaningful way we can by creating, sharing, and showing up for one another. Whether you are an artist, a maker, a performer, a vendor, or someone who simply loves to support creativity, you are an essential part of the experience. Bring your colors, your sounds, your ideas, and your energy, and step into a space where inspiration is shared and every contribution matters. Together we can fill the day with connection, creativity, and a spirit that reminds us how powerful it is to express, support, and lift each other up. 馃嚭馃嚫

馃嚭馃嚫 What will you bring to life? 馃嚭馃嚫

馃寵 You're invited to a First Friday of color, energy, and connection 馃寵

Join us May 1st from 6pm to 9pm at Rochester Fine Art Market for an evening featuring the vibrant and expressive work of Mike Kraus. His paintings are full of bold color, movement, and organic forms that are meant to be felt as much as seen. This is your chance to experience the work up close, meet the artist, and connect with a welcoming community of art lovers. Whether you are a longtime collector or just curious, it is an easy and inspiring way to step into something new.

What might you discover when you give yourself the space to look a little closer?


I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
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Friday, August 22, 2025

馃悢馃尞 A Taco Always Chickens Out 馃尞馃悢

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


馃悢馃尞 Chicken Taco 馃尞馃悢 
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202508035
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit:

The humble taco has always been more than just food, it is survival, ingenuity, and joy wrapped in a warm tortilla. In the wake of wars and broken promises, Mexican and Indigenous families kept their cultures alive through flavors that could not be silenced, selling sizzling tacos on street corners where the smell of grilled meat and fresh cilantro hung in the night air. Tourists once came chasing the Chili Queens, but it was really resilience they were tasting, layered with spice and history. While some people always shrink away from truth, culture never chickens out.

This piece would look best in a small-to-medium space that is yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, gray, or wood.


馃崄 Calling All Art Lovers! 馃崄

Get ready for the Awesome Autumn Art Festival—the coziest, craftiest, most joyfully creative online event of the season! Whether you're here to shop unique, sell your amazing work, or just soak in the good vibes, this is THE place to be. Think colorful finds, handmade magic, and a community that actually cares about art.

So grab your pumpkin spice and click that RSVP—because this fall, we’re making art the main event at:  馃憠 https://www.facebook.com/events/1046518944308485

My Story
Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
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Friday, October 18, 2024

馃尟 The Burrito 馃尟

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


馃尟 The Burrito 馃尟
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202409028
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your kitchen or dining room, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/249140537

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 Ju谩rez named Juan M茅ndez 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 ma铆z se convirti贸 en una cena com煤n en Mesoam茅rica. Durante miles de a帽os e innumerables generaciones, la receta se transmiti贸 y evolucion贸. El pueblo nativo americano del suroeste de los Estados Unidos y el norte de M茅xico lo comi贸 como una comida b谩sica. Los vaqueros que vagaban por California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Nuevo M茅xico, Colorado, Texas y Guanajuato consideraron que era una comida f谩cil 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 Ju谩rez llamado Juan M茅ndez vendi贸 la comida mientras montaba un burro. Otro afirma que proviene de un t茅rmino de cari帽o usado por un hombre que vende almuerzos a ni帽os de escuelas pobres. Hoy en d铆a, el burrito se sirve en una cantidad infinita de restaurantes en una gran variedad de variedades. Otro ejemplo m谩s de c贸mo la comida muestra que tenemos m谩s en com煤n que diferencias.

NOW OPEN!!!
馃煡⬜馃煢 ART FOR DEMOCRACY! 馃煡⬜馃煢
A celebration of everything we love about Freedom!

Sign up for the
馃崅馃崄 5th Annual Fabulous Fall Art Festival 馃崄馃崅
Do you believe that one-of-a-kind gifts make people feel special?  Then you're invited to find and buy amazing art. Browse unique, hand-crafted items in ceramics, jewelry, glass, mixed media, photography, wood, leather, fiber, metal, wearable art, digital art, paintings, prints and so much more!

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:
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Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Digital Devotion

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Digital Devotion #509
paint, color pencil, and pen on Bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
202211077
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

LAST DAY! 
The GRATEFUL ART FESTIVAL!!!  
We're going to have a lot of fun at: 


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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
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Monday, November 28, 2022

Homemade French Toast

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Homemade French Toast #508
color pencil and pen on Bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
202211076
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

The sun is trying to break through the clouds on an early Sunday morning.  Our feet crunch on the loose gravel on the road to back to our house.  Our mouths salivate as we talk excitedly about breakfast.  The French Toast made with homemade bread, the perfect amount of cinnamon, and Kettle Ridge maple syrup.  All of it coming together beautifully with a little honey butter. 

STARTS TODAY! 
The GRATEFUL ART FESTIVAL!!!  
We're going to have a lot of fun at: 


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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Friday, September 30, 2022

The Burrito

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Burrito
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202209055
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
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 Ju谩rez named Juan M茅ndez 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 ma铆z se convirti贸 en una cena com煤n en Mesoam茅rica. Durante miles de a帽os e innumerables generaciones, la receta se transmiti贸 y evolucion贸. El pueblo nativo americano del suroeste de los Estados Unidos y el norte de M茅xico lo comi贸 como una comida b谩sica. Los vaqueros que vagaban por California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Nuevo M茅xico, Colorado, Texas y Guanajuato consideraron que era una comida f谩cil 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 Ju谩rez llamado Juan M茅ndez vendi贸 la comida mientras montaba un burro. Otro afirma que proviene de un t茅rmino de cari帽o usado por un hombre que vende almuerzos a ni帽os de escuelas pobres. Hoy en d铆a, el burrito se sirve en una cantidad infinita de restaurantes en una gran variedad de variedades. Otro ejemplo m谩s de c贸mo la comida muestra que tenemos m谩s en com煤n que diferencias.

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

The FABULOUS FALL ART FESTIVAL is coming!!!  Join us at: 


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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Friday, September 16, 2022

Fish Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Fish Taco 'Bout Awesome
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202209048
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
Many Mexicans remained in the southwest after the invasion of the Mexican-American War.  While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised Mexicans and Native Americans in the captured territory US citizenship, they lost their civil and political rights for at least 120 years.  From this came a group of women entrepreneurs called "Chili Queens" that sold tacos as street vendors, an easy to make meal for the silver miners of 18th century Mexico.  When the railroads came in the 1880s, the tourist sought out the Chili Queen's tacos just as much as any other attraction.  From there, tacos evolved to use ingredients available in the United State and the development of food processing; including iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.  This culinary delight is a tribute to our turbulent shared American history.  And something to remember every time we celebrate Taco Tuesday.

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


The FABULOUS FALL ART FESTIVAL is coming!!!  Join us at: 

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.
For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Monday, May 23, 2022

The Daily Grind

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
 

The Daily Grind #204
Gouache and Ink on Bristol Paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

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.


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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

at No comments:

Friday, September 10, 2021

The Burrito

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Burrito
acrylic paint on canvas board
202109078 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 Ju谩rez named Juan M茅ndez 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 ma铆z se convirti贸 en una cena com煤n en Mesoam茅rica. Durante miles de a帽os e innumerables generaciones, la receta se transmiti贸 y evolucion贸. El pueblo nativo americano del suroeste de los Estados Unidos y el norte de M茅xico lo comi贸 como una comida b谩sica. Los vaqueros que vagaban por California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Nuevo M茅xico, Colorado, Texas y Guanajuato consideraron que era una comida f谩cil 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 Ju谩rez llamado Juan M茅ndez vendi贸 la comida mientras montaba un burro. Otro afirma que proviene de un t茅rmino de cari帽o usado por un hombre que vende almuerzos a ni帽os de escuelas pobres. Hoy en d铆a, el burrito se sirve en una cantidad infinita de restaurantes en una gran variedad de variedades. Otro ejemplo m谩s de c贸mo la comida muestra que tenemos m谩s en com煤n 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.   

NOW OPEN! Join us at the Online Awesome Autumn Art Show at: https://www.facebook.com/events/389327332607311 There will be arts, crafts, jewelry, furniture, fashion, and so much more. We'll have a few activities. And, most of all, HAVE FUN!

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.

at No comments:

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.

at No comments:

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.

at No comments:

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.

at 1 comment:

Friday, April 9, 2021

Honeycrisp Apple

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Honeycrisp Apple
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202104024
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/240424277/honeycrisp-apple-original-acrylic

The weekend before my birthday, my wife and I will stop by one of the many orchards near our home in upstate New York.  Some of them are like carnivals with bounce houses, hay rides, and petting zoos.  Others are simply apple farms that just grow apples.  We'll roam the grounds selecting a variety to bake into pies, cakes, and other treats.  And, with any luck, it will keep the doctor away...

This painting would look best in a space that is red, yellow, orange, blue, purple, black, white, grey, 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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Friday, February 26, 2021

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Taco 'Bout Awesome
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202102013
© copyright Mike Kraus
Many Mexicans remained in the southwest after the invasion of the Mexican-American War.  While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised Mexicans and Native Americans in the captured territory US citizenship, they lost their civil and political rights for at least 120 years.  From this came a group of women entrepreneurs called "Chili Queens" that sold tacos as street vendors, an easy to make meal for the silver miners of 18th century Mexico.  When the railroads came in the 1880s, the tourist sought out the Chili Queen's tacos just as much as any other attraction.  From there, tacos evolved to use ingredients available in the United State and the development of food processing; including iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.  This culinary delight is a tribute to our turbulent shared American history.  And something to remember every time we celebrate Taco Tuesday.


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:
at No comments:
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