Fields of Lavender

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Fields of Lavender

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) in a frame

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/249721069/fields-of-lavender-original-acrylic

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 dark red, yellow, orange, green, blue, light 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Vineyards Near Nice, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Vineyards Near Nice, France

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201812139

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/195164903/vineyards-near-nice-france-original

The uphill climb and apartment complexes disappear as our bikes glide down the Boulevard de la Madeleine.  Around every hairpin turn are terraced farms carved out of the valley.  The dense forest hides our path and provides shade from the blistering sun.  This vineyard is our designated resting spot before our return trip along the Var River.  It's the perfect place to relax as a fragrant cool breeze provides the only sound in this tropical valley. 

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

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Bend of the Danube River

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Bend of the Danube River

acrylic painting on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7cm x 17.7cm) 

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/218599419/bend-of-the-danube-river-original

It's hard to believe that the Danube River use to be treacherous at this spot as it takes a dramatic turn to the south.  Everything is so calm an peaceful as we stroll the cobbled streets of Grein, Austria.  The autumn fog rolling over the hills and the water calmly flowing by as we enjoy our Riesling.  The bells of St. Giles ring through the small town.  We take a moment to etch into our memories all the beauty of the Wachau Valley. 

This piece would work in a space that is dark red, burnt orange, yellow, green, 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

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Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" in a vintage frame (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm in a vintage frame)
201801012

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/235352360/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 dark red, yellow, dark orange, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, 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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Vineyards of the Danube

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Vineyards of the Danube

acrylic paint on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/204674466/vineyards-of-the-danube-original-acrylic

It was a sunny morning along the Danube River and we decided to bike from Dürnstein to Krems an der Donau for some coffee at a local cafe.  There was a cool autumn breeze preventing us from getting overheated on the bike path.  Little villages with ancient churches bathed in the sunlight.  Rows and rows of grape vines stretch from the base of the hills to the side of the river.  Just about to be harvested for the famous Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines. 

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

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

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/

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Lavender Farm

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Lavender Farm

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201910096

© copyright Michael Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/222100999/lavender-farm-original-acrylic-painting

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

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

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/

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
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Montagne Sainte-Victoire

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Montagne Sainte-Victoire

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201910091

© copyright Michael Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/527602589/montagne-sainte-victoire-original

Montagne Sainte-Victoire can be seen in the distance from Le Jas de Bouffan.  A source of inspiration for ancient Roman soldiers conquering surrounding lands.  A site for festivals for early Christians celebrating the beautiful world.  And the view of the mountain was incredible at Chemin des Lauves.  These locations and mountain were the bookends of the life of Paul Cezanne.  His optical realism, simplified shapes, colorful atmospheres, and enhanced depth motivated Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian, Beckmann, Braque, Giacometti, Léger, Gorky, Giorgio Morandi, Liubov Popova, Marsden Hartley, Charles Demuth, Kelly, Jasper Johns, Jeff Wall, Brice Marden, Sherrie Levine, Francis Alÿs and so many others to make their own unique creations.

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

More About Mike Kraus Art

My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/business/hobby-investments-cant-escape-darn-global-economy

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/

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
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Lavender Farm

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Lavender Farm

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201909083

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243916790/lavender-farm-original-acrylic-painting

FINAL DAYS!

Please visit my Brightscapes art show at Mendon 64. Along with my artwork, there's pieces by Kim Lester, guest chef Chris Hobaica , music by: Jaunt UPstate MA'AM, D.B. Rielly, Nick LeDuc, Ryan Barski, Tuesday extended happy hours, Wednesday $1 oysters, Thursday no corkage, and so much more.

Mendon 64

1369 Pittsford Mendon Rd

Mendon, New York 14506

(585) 433-9464

dining@mendon64.com

For up to date information, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/381459825832899

Nightscapes - The Shadow Path
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! Eerily seasonal paintings by Mike Kraus Art
See the dark side of his Brightscapes art.

- With a very spooky playlist.
- Plus a great contest: You call that scary??
-Tell us the worst scary movie ever and you could win a tiny prize.
- And we'll be collecting spare change for Planned Parenthood, so they can keep the ghouls at bay.

This one-night stand is presented by Pop Up Roc, with: opening and closing party from 5-9 pm.

Part of Haunted Hungerford.
20 terrifying studios celebrate the best holiday.
- Come in costume - there will be prizes.
- Explore the Ghoulish Art Gallery.
- Wander the hallways - you may see a ghost!.
- And bring some cat food for rescue kitties.
Halloween can be terrifying for them!

Additional parking at credit union and Greenovation. Please don’t park in front of Happy Feet - your vehicle will be possessed.

For up to date information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/518005745692988

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Lavender Farm

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Lavender Farm

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201909080

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/222100999/lavender-farm-original-acrylic-painting

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

Please visit my Brightscapes art show at Mendon 64. Along with my artwork, there's pieces by Kim Lester, guest chef Chris Hobaica , music by: Jaunt UPstate MA'AM, D.B. Rielly, Nick LeDuc, Ryan Barski, Tuesday extended happy hours, Wednesday $1 oysters, Thursday no corkage, and so much more.

Mendon 64

1369 Pittsford Mendon Rd

Mendon, New York 14506

(585) 433-9464

dining@mendon64.com

For up to date information, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/381459825832899

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Cafe In Digne-les-Bains, Provence, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Cafe In Digne-les-Bains, Provence, France

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

201907064

© copyright Michael Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/724236661/cafe-in-digne-les-bains-provence-france

We exited the cool interior Saint-Jérôme de Digne Cathedral where wed hid from the midday sun.  The light and heat on our faces as the slim road divided and narrowed further into sidewalks.  We wandered behind clusters of businesses and homes clinging to a sloping hill.  Suddenly, the tight stepped path opened a bit into the canyon of shops on Rue de l'Hubac. It was a short walk, but we were ready to rest again when we saw the cafe.

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

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

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:

https://www.raicestexas.org/