Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts

Friday, February 19, 2021

Los Angeles Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Los Angeles Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202102011
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/246241892/los-angeles-alley-original-acrylic

Los Angeles is an attractive beacon of optimism.  What started as a Spanish colony of 11 people has exploded into a population of 18.7 million people.  The Chinese came to build the railroads, African Americans seeking better opportunities after World War II, Koreans to be entrepreneurial shopkeepers, Latinos who founded and built the city, along with countless other people from around the globe.  Los Angeles' diversity and openness to the world has made it the 3rd largest metropolitan economy.  Behind the thin veneer of glamour is the hard work of millions of good people.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, 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 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:
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Monday, January 18, 2021

Great Grandfather's Church

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Great Grandfather's Church #349
charcoal on paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202002006
© copyright Mike Kraus

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.


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.

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Friday, January 8, 2021

Campanile At Iowa State University

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Campanile At Iowa State University
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20 (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
202010102
© copyright Mike Kraus

A remote-learning final semester and virtual graduation seems like an appropriate situation for an independent, easy-going, software engineer.  Yet, days on the  Iowa State University (https://www.iastate.edu/) campus are full of experiences and a lifetime of memories.  Recollections that seem both forever ago and all too recent.  Now, there are new adventures with a great career opportunity at Capital One (capitalone.com) in the exciting city of Washington DC.  With the support of his family, he's taken the first step toward a successful life.





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.

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Friday, November 6, 2020

Toronto Alley

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Toronto Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202011103
© copyright Mike Kraus

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

Toronto, meaning "plenty" to the Huron and "place where trees stand in water" to the Iroquois, is a beacon to the world.  It called to French fur traders, British colonists, refugees of the American revolution, fleeing US slaves, Irish, Germans, French, Italians, Jews, and over 200 other distinct ethnic groups that speak 160 languages.  This multiculturalism made Toronto the fourth largest city in North America and a major center of business, arts, and finance.  The locals are famously friendly and that joy can be found on the streets.

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.

Having Fun During Coronavirus
Art Project: 
Building a Fire Pit:
Share Heart of Hope:
Hiking:
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:
Celebrating Women:
Have A Picnic:
You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:
Have Some Theme Spirit:
Working For the Weekend:
Honor and Remembrance:
Apple Picking and Other Farms:
Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game:
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/11/vote-vote-vote-having-fun-during-covid.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
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Mom's Texas House

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Mom's Texas House
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911102
© copyright Mike Kraus
Finding the perfect gift is always difficult.  But what do you get someone who's moving to a new home?  Well, she had a great idea for her family, which was also appropriate since she's an architect.  Her vision was to create paintings of their homes that were true to life; but dreamlike.  To capture their essence and memories.  If it's "the thought that counts" in gift giving, she won Christmas this year.  And, I'm honored to have been a small part of it.


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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview 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 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:

Monday, January 20, 2020

Mom's Alabama House

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Mom's Alabama House
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911103
© copyright Michael Kraus

Finding the perfect gift is always difficult.  But what do you get someone who's moving to a new home?  Well, she had a great idea for her family, which was also appropriate since she's an architect.  Her vision was to create paintings of their homes that were true to life; but dreamlike.  To capture their essence and memories.  If it's "the thought that counts" in gift giving, she won Christmas this year.  And, I'm honored to have been a small part of it.




Whitman Works
gallery is closing...

But, you won't find better deals on original. Get 25% OFF everything in the gallery. Come and join us as we celebrate 3+ years of working with area artists.

More information at:

https://www.whitmanworks.com





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:

Monday, January 13, 2020

Aunt's Alabama House

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Aunt's Alabama House
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911105
© copyright Michael Kraus

Finding the perfect gift is always difficult.  But what do you get someone who's moving to a new home?  Well, she had a great idea for her family, which was also appropriate since she's an architect.  Her vision was to create paintings of their homes that were true to life; but dreamlike.  To capture their essence and memories.  If it's "the thought that counts" in gift giving, she won Christmas this year.  And, I'm honored to have been a small part of it.


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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:





Whitman Works
gallery is closing...

But, you won't find better deals on original. Get 25% OFF everything in the gallery. Also, January 18th is a special open house sale with more in-house incentives and giveaways. Come and join us as we celebrate 3+ years of working with area artists.

More information at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2936079256454188/



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, January 10, 2020

Our New York City

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Our New York City
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201912114
© copyright Mike Kraus
For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-artwork-by

It's not everyday that someone special has their Bat Mitzvah.  They had a vision of the perfect gift for the young art lover.  After researching many, many artists, they found a few pieces of my work that was similar to their vision of the perfect gift.  With a phone call and inspiration, a few sketches were created (below).  We refined the idea by moving the subject near their Upper West Side neighborhood.  Some more sky and depth was added with the buildings.  A bit of greenery and more details of symbolic importance.  Once the vision was sketched, I created the painting.  I regularly updated them on my progress and we made minor changes to buildings, graffiti, and other features along the way.  We met our deadline and the finished piece arrived quickly in NYC with some time to spare.  This piece is full of love.  Every square inch and detail is about affection and friendship.  It was a very special project and I'm so grateful to have been included in its creation.











Whitman Works
gallery is closing...

But, you won't find better deals on original. Get 25% OFF everything in the gallery. Also, January 18th is a special open house sale with more in-house incentives and giveaways. Come and join us as we celebrate 3+ years of working with area artists.

More information at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2936079256454188/


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 No comments:

Friday, January 3, 2020

Aunt's Texas House

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Aunt's Texas House
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911104
© copyright Michael Kraus

Finding the perfect gift is always difficult.  But what do you get someone who's moving to a new home?  Well, she had a great idea for her family, which was also appropriate since she's an architect.  Her vision was to create paintings of their homes that were true to life; but dreamlike.  To capture their essence and memories.  If it's "the thought that counts" in gift giving, she won Christmas this year.  And, I'm honored to have been a small part of it.


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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview 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 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:

Monday, December 23, 2019

On a Chicago Street Corner

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On a Chicago Street Corner
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
201912123
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/555220975/on-a-chicago-street-corner-original

In the ROCHESTER, NEW YORK area and still looking for last minute gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa?  Contact me and we'll find a way to give art to your loved ones.

Pierre left his family's struggling farm to find work in nearby St Romuald, Quebec as a carpenter's apprentice.  There were many nights his young wife and seven children went to bed hungry.  And when Pierre's wife and son died in 1882, it was too much for him to endure.  He quickly sold off his meager possessions, remarried, and boarded various trains until he reached Muskegon, Michigan to work in a myriad of factories.  After several years and eight more children, he had an opportunity to work as a carpenter constructing the interiors of trains.  For the next 17 years, that's what he did in Jacksonville, Illinois.  His expertise made him highly desirable to the Pullman Railcar Company in Chicago.  When Pierre and his wife Melvina moved into their humble apartment, it was the first time they've had an empty nest in their 32 years of marriage.  These were some of their happiest years.  Melvina enjoyed her new friends and all the amenities South Chicago had to offer.  Pierre had success as a crew boss at an iconic American business.  My great-great grandparents didn't know what to expect when they emigrated to the United States.  But they were grateful for the opportunity it provided them and their children.  And they worked hard every day to show it.    


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:
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