🌊😎 Gulf of Mexico Escape 😎🌊

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

🌊😎 Isla Holbox In the Gulf of Mexico 😎🌊

acrylic paint on canvas board

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

202504016

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/555810485

The warm water of the Gulf of Mexico submerge our feet walking on the hot beach sand.  The sea birds and rustling of palm leaves are the only sound on the quiet shore.  We find a shady spot to relax and enjoy some snacks before heading back into the water.  We bob and wade through the salty sea with nearby colorful fish and sea turtles further away.  The perfect escape is the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

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

My Story

I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/TheWayToBeauty

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

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

Two Rocks In the Sea

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Two Rocks In the Sea

 Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica

acrylic paint on canvas board

11" x 14" (27.9 cm x 35.6 cm) 
201802032

© copyright Mike Kraus

For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike

LET'S CREATE YOUR VERY OWN PAINTING TOGETHER! Your cherished memory or idea can be made into a work of art. Whether you want to remember a special day or give something to a caring friend; we can work together to create something unique. Invest in yourself and the arts with a special vision to color your walls.

(detail)

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

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Google+: http://plus.google.com/111168390406803022323/posts

3 Different Hot Tubs In 3 Days; A New Personal Record

If I ever come out with a music album, this will be the cover.  And, it will be titled Panama Jackass.  Megan had a conference in Miami and we decided to make it into a vacation.  And, since we have family in Naples, hung out there.



Naples, Florida.



My wife loves being my muse



We were really impressed with this crab until we figured out he was dead...



Gecko at the hot tub (Not to be confused with the "Crazy Gecko")



Hot tub number one at the Naples Hilton.  



This trip had many themes: hot tubs, fancy cars, insane boats, etc.  This is a Corvette.  But, it was brand new and looked like an old one.  Not sure if this was a custom job, concept that some GM executive borrowed or what.  



Just a Lotus parked next to us...



The Villages shopping center full of swanky shops.  Ben & Jerry's is the place to be at night (since it's pretty much the only place open)



Apparently, this is where King Louis the XIV shops



The Gulf of Mexico



The Venetian Bay (Intercoastal)



The Florida residence of Julius Caesar



Hiking around Naples in a frigid 68 degrees.   Burrrr....



A classy monster truck parked outside of the Publix grocery store.  



Just another Bentley in Naples...



Me and the lady at the beach






Hmmmm...  Apparently, the "Green Flash" is some crazy thing the sun does when it sets in Naples.  Many say they see it.  Others claim that they've been drinking too much wine.



Everyone pretty much confines themselves and is isolated in Naples until sunset when they all race out of their apartments and condos with a glass of wine.



Few nice places on Pirates Bight Lane.  Want to live there?  A 6,600 square foot home goes for a bit over $4 million and has taxes around $33,000 a year.  Not bad for a seasonal residence...



The view from Loew's Hotel in South Beach Miami.  



Another shot looking toward the Atlantic Ocean



TO THE HOT TUB!



I have no idea what I took this for...



You can tell by our sweaters and sweatshirt that we were the sexiest couple in South Beach that day






I am not impressed with photographers that live in places like Miami.  In a climate like this, you could used the biggest piece of crap camera and it looks beautiful.  Take a pretty picture in a place like Rochester and we'll talk about talent.



Fancy colorful building at the end of the Lincoln Street Mall.  Tried to see Ruth on our quick trip at her place, but failed.  Sorry John and Ruth!



Temple Beth Shmuel Cuban Hebrew Congregation of Miami.  More at: http://www.cubanhebrew.com/



The Holocaust Memorial of Miami Beach, Florida.  More info at: http://www.holocaustmmb.org/
























The Miami International Boat Show.  http://www.miamiboatshow.com/



More "Rodney Dangerfield" style boats than you can imagine!  We say only a small portion of the show and it went on for miles for only one boat type...



So big I couldn't get the whole boat in the picture.  Also, it is called Diamonds Are Forever and will be owned by a future Bond villain.



Floating showroom



Navy destroyer without cannons for sale






The Carpe Diem is obviously Robin Williams' boat






This boat engine is the size of my apartment



Just a cottage on the intercoastal



A building from the future!






Loew's Hotel in South Beach where we stayed.  



OH! Mexico Restaurant.  The "oh" is for when you realize how much they charge for margaritas



Mmmmm...  Good tacos!



Flowers on Lincoln Street Mall.  I don't really care for swanky shops and all.  But, I really knew I didn't belong here when about 15-20 supermodels walked out of Ford Modeling Agency and walked next to me standing at 6' 6" and waists as big as my wrist.  



Fine...  Art...



Another shot of our hotel



South Beach



Havana 1957 Restaurant with really, really good "Specialty."  



Keep it classy, Miami



South Beach boardwalk.  South Beach on one side and the most expensive condos/hotels on the other.  



Cargo ships



The Berkeley Store has a pretty awesome building



The Miami/Florida Marlin's new stadium, Miami Park (at least until they get a naming sponsor)



Back in Naples after an alligator and bird viewing adventure in the Everglades






Cheeseburger In Paradise by Mike Kraus



Downtown Naples is proof that Floridians know how to make a good city.  



Nothing like a cow golf cart



Tin City was sold to us as a really cool fish market.  Really, it's a high class junk tourist trap



But, Tin City did have a place to hug an alligator.  Words cannot describe...



Couple of t-shirts I had to harass our Irish friend, Ronan with...






How is this not hanging in my office?



Beach at Naples Pier






I could watch pelicans all day.  They had dolphins too, but I couldn't catch them with the ol' picture machine



PLUNGE!
























A fella we met on the street



Apparently, the Naples me is doing very well for himself



Biking 



Palm trees



Megan walking on water









Naples nightlife allowed us to complete a 1,000 piece puzzle called "WHAT A BEACH!"  Stupid Bob Hope's umbrella was missing...



It was only a matter of time before someone starting selling alcohol in a bag.  Malibu Tropical Mojito is the after hours drink of astronauts!  Kind of like an adult Capri Sun...






Nice



Foxy Lady!






Ronan and Jackie came to visit!  Naples will never allow any of us again to stay overnight or frequent their restaurants







More sunsets!









Goodbye Naples!



You know your vacuum is old when the settings are: Low, Norm, High, and Shag



If a cat and a Yorkie can sit on a desk, why not a 70-80 lbs Pitbull?  


Also:


Congrats Pete and Sarah on the baby!


Congrats Erin and Rich on getting engaged!