Showing posts with label midwest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label midwest. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset on Lake Michigan
acrylic paint of canvas
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201705050
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/253340151/sunset-on-lake-michigan-original-acrylic


My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire.  A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm are the price of admission.  The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake.  The scent of the shoreline pares perfectly with the changing colors of the sky.  I faintly hear my friends voices over the water splashing as they collect wood and prepare for a perfect summer night.

This painting would great in a space that is light red, orange, dark 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:

Monday, October 15, 2018

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset on Lake Michigan
acrylic paint of canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201705053
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/637376380/sunset-on-lake-michigan-original-acrylic


My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire.  A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm are the price of admission.  The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake.  The scent of the shoreline pares perfectly with the changing colors of the sky.  I faintly hear my friends voices over the water splashing as they collect wood and prepare for a perfect summer night.

This painting would great in a space that is light red, orange, dark 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:

Friday, May 25, 2018

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset on Lake Michigan
acrylic paint of canvas
24" x 36" (61.0 cm x 91.4 cm)
201805070
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/616671649/sunset-on-lake-michigan-original-acrylic


Please visit my show at:

540WMain
540 West Main Street
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 420-8439
Open by appointment or according to class/event calendar available at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1001003383384929/


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.


Wednesday, May 16, 2018

On a Chicago Street Corner

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On a Chicago Street Corner
acrylic paint of canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201805067
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/614691323/on-a-chicago-street-corner-original


Please visit my show at:

540WMain
540 West Main Street
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 420-8439
Open by appointment or according to class/event calendar available at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1001003383384929/


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.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Chicago Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


 Chicago Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201802031
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243101275/chicago-alley-original-acrylic-painting


After a long day of work in the Loop, I take the "L" train home.  It's so much better reading a book on public transit than fighting road rage in a traffic jam.  And today I'm just watching all the buildings pass by.  The brown line runs at street level in the alleys after the Western stop.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian. 

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

Friday, February 16, 2018

Chicago Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
Chicago Alley #272
ink and marker on Bristol Paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201802025
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/210023423/chicago-alley-272-artist-trading-cards


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.



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:

Friday, October 27, 2017

Life on the American Plains

Life on the American Plains, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
10" x 20" (25.4 cm x 50.8 cm)
201710110
© copyright Michael Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/553921218/original-acrylic-painting-life-on-the


I can see the fields sprawl over the landscape to the curvature of the earth.  A horizon so distant it seems impossible to reach.  Yet, the winds from that distance cause my ears to twitch when the silence turns to a roar of wheat rustling from miles around.  Somewhere is a world of people, parties, and extravagance.  Here, the only thing is the self, solitude, and simplicity.  

This painting would great in an average sized space that is dark red, orange, dark 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:
See my work in person at:
Whitman Works Co.
1826 Penfield Rd
 Penfield, NY 14526 
(585) 747-9999
https://www.whitmanworks.com/




Monday, May 15, 2017

On the Shores of Lake Michigan

On the Shores of Lake Michigan, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
350 dpi
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It's been hot and humid while I've been at work.  Once 5 o' clock hits, I'm all set to flee into the blazing sun toward the beach.  I drop my towel, keys, and other items into the scalding hot sand and make my way to the cool water.   There's just a gentle splash at the shoreline on the calm waters.  The rays of the sun still penetrating my skin as I wade just beyond the sand bar.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
THE SHOW IS OPEN NOW!

THANKS SO MUCH TO UNION PLACE COFFEE ROASTERS for hosting a wonderful open house last night.  We had a great time and met lots of fun new friends.  I really enjoyed the coffee roasting demonstrations, Sweet and Cute coffee syrup tasting on ice cream, Dolce Cupcakery's treats, Southern Tier Brewing Company stout and IPA, and Rochester, NY's mayoral candidate Rachel Barnhart discuss her plans.

There's still time to see my work and have some amazing coffee too!  Whitman Work Co. will have my pieces up until May 25th.  More information at:

Union Place Coffee Roasters
Genesee Valley Regional Market
900 Jefferson Rd. Building 15 Suite 1504
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 784-0404

Store Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Thursday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-3pm

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

On the Shores of Lake Michigan

 On the Shores of Lake Michigan #226, 2017
gouache on bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" in a 4" x 5" frame  (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm in a 10.2 cm x 12.7 frame)
201705037
© 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.

This piece would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, dark purple, brown, beige, black, white, or wood

For more information or custom order, please visit:




THE SHOW IS OPEN NOW!

THANKS SO MUCH TO UNION PLACE COFFEE ROASTERS for hosting a wonderful open house last night.  We had a great time and met lots of fun new friends.  I really enjoyed the coffee roasting demonstrations, Sweet and Cute coffee syrup tasting on ice cream, Dolce Cupcakery's treats, Southern Tier Brewing Company stout and IPA, and Rochester, NY's mayoral candidate Rachel Barnhart discuss her plans.

There's still time to see my work and have some amazing coffee too!  Whitman Work Co. will have my pieces up until May 25th.  More information at:

Union Place Coffee Roasters
Genesee Valley Regional Market
900 Jefferson Rd. Building 15 Suite 1504
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 784-0404

Store Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Thursday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-3pm

Friday, April 7, 2017

On the Shore of Lake Michigan

 On the Shore of Lake Michigan, 2017
Acrylic on Canvas
16" x 20 (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

It's been hot and humid while I've been at work.  Once 5 o' clock hits, I'm all set to flee into the blazing sun toward the beach.  I drop my towel, keys, and other items into the scalding hot sand and make my way to the cool water.   There's just a gentle splash at the shoreline on the calm waters.  The rays of the sun still penetrating my skin as I wade just beyond the sand bar.

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:



Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Chicago Alley

 Chicago Alley, 2017
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243101275/chicago-alley-original-acrylic-painting

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

After a long day of work in the Loop, I take the "L" train home.  It's so much better reading a book on public transit than fighting road rage in a traffic jam.  And today I'm just watching all the buildings pass by.  The brown line runs at street level in the alleys after the Western stop.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian.  

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:



Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Life On the American Plains

Life On the American Plains, 2015
acrylic on canvas board
10" x 20" (25.4 cm x 50.8 cm) 
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

There are fields as far as she can see.  And she can see the curvature of the earth.  A road that only reaches the horizon.  There's a whole world of people, parties, and extravagance.  But here, it's all about the self, solitude, and simplicity.  

This painting would great in a space that is maroon, light green, dark blue, purple, beige, black, natural wood or a dark space.

For more information or custom order, please visit:



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