Showing posts with label modern design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modern design. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2022

Vision Quest XXXIX

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXXIX, 
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710098
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

There's a valley between the dunes with a cluster of birches.  Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees.  A gentle breeze wrestles the leaves to mimic the waves on the sea.  This is where I go when my heart beats too fast and my breathing is labored.  It is a place of calm.

How do you relax?  Is it making a nice meal after a long day?  Maybe it's setting aside some time for exercise or yoga?  Or quietly cuddling with your dog on the sofa.  We all need time to take care of ourselves.

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

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

Monday, July 8, 2019

Vision Quest XXXIX

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

 Vision Quest XXXIX
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710098
© copyright Michael Kraus
I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

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


at No comments:

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Vision Quest XXVII

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXVII
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

This piece would work in a space that is dark orange, dark yellow, green, light red, blue, purple, black, white, 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:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus



My family came to America at different times for a myriad of reasons: the French to settle new land, the English and Germans for business opportunities, and the Irish to escape cruel oppression. The United States was a beacon of hope that only required our allegiance to the Constitution.

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 (https://www.rescue.org/article/what-causing-growing-humanitarian-crisis-along-us-mexico-border). After a dangerous journey, we deny them their rights to asylum (https://www.amnestyusa.org/campaigns/refugee-and-migrant-rights/), we kidnap and lose their children (https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/family-separation), cage and sexually assault children (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/us/immigrant-children-sexual-abuse.html?fbclid=IwAR1613Noe_Lczrx4etRHBNLxQS2BSlLu6Pr16uxKkaQy3U7wzl2V3211y_0), and deny them due process and indefinite imprisonment at detention/internment/concentration camps (https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-katz-immigrant-concentration-camps-20190609-story.html).  We're allowing them to die in these terrible conditions (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/24-immigrants-have-died-ice-custody-during-trump-administration-n1015291).  And we arrest and try to imprison good, Christians who provide food and water to those in need (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/11/arizona-activist-migrant-water-scott-daniel-warren-verdict).

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/



at No comments:

Monday, May 13, 2019

Vision Quest XXVIII

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXVIII
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710097
© copyright Michael Kraus
I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

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

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



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 1 comment:

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Vision Quest XXXIX

 Vision Quest XXXIX, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710098
© copyright Michael Kraus
For more information, please visit: https://www.whitmanworks.com/art-products?category=Mike+Kraus
1826 Penfield Rd
Penfield, NY 14526
(585) 747-9999

I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

This piece would work in a small-to-medium space that is dark orange, dark yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, 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 these locations:
Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com) at the New York Coffee Festival, Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, NYC - October 13-15, 2017 - http://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com

Havana Night Gala - Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/


at No comments:

Monday, October 2, 2017

Vision Quest XXVIII

 Vision Quest XXVIII, 2017
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710097
© copyright Michael Kraus
For more information, please visit: https://www.whitmanworks.com/art-products?category=Mike+Kraus
1826 Penfield Rd
Penfield, NY 14526
(585) 747-9999

I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

This piece would work in a small-to-medium space that is dark orange, dark yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, 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 these locations:
Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com) at the New York Coffee Festival, Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, NYC - October 13-15, 2017 - http://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com

Havana Night Gala -Baden Street Settlement Holiday Inn Rochester, NY-Downtown 70 State St, Rochester, NY 14614 http://badenstreet.org/2017-annual-gala/

Whitman Works Co. 1826 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 747-9999 https://www.whitmanworks.com/

Art Cats Gallery 1845 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441 (231) 755-7606 http://artcatsgallery.com/



at No comments:

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Vision Quest XXVII

Vision Quest XXVII, 2016
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

I have stayed here for several days.  Alone in the wilderness with only the things I can carry in my backpack.  I've been rationing my food and water to extend my time here.  There's an intensity to the morning sun that is counter-balanced by the dew on the leaves.  A delicate harmony to everything.

This piece would work in a space that is dark orange, dark yellow, green, light red, blue, purple, black, white, beige, or wood.

For more information or custom order, please visit:



at No comments:

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Blue and Green Birch Forest

Blue and Green Birch Forest, 2016
Acrylic and ink 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/217808258/blue-and-green-birch-forest-original

 10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me. Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming. And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge. I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

This painting would look best in a small bright space that seems bare.  It would also compliment a space that is yellow, orange, navy blue, purple, red, dark green, beige, white, black, or wood.  

For more information or custom order, please visit:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt 

LAST DAY OF BRIGHTSCAPES!!!




at No comments:

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Blue and Green Birch Forest

Blue and Green Birch Forest, 2016
Acrylic and ink 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/219542290/blue-and-green-birch-forest-original

 10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me. Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming. And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge. I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

This painting would look best in a small bright space that seems bare.  It would also compliment a space that is yellow, red, orange, navy blue, purple, dark green, beige, black, white, or wood.  

For more information or custom order, please visit:

FINAL DAYS OF THE
BRIGHTSCAPES ART SHOW




at No comments:

Sunday, February 8, 2015

White Birch Forest

White Birch Forest, 2015
Acrylic 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/221830295/white-birch-forest-original-acrylic?

LAST DAY!!!  FREE SHIPPING ON HIGH QUALITY PRINTS AT: http://society6.com/mikekraus?promo=8F6CKKCJD83Z Promotion expires February 8, 2015 at Midnight Pacific Time. *Free Shipping offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases, Wall Clocks and Rugs

What’s black and white and red all over?  A birch forest of course.  Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me.  Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming.  And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge.  I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

This painting would look best somewhere that needs a splash of color and compliment a space that is orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, or wood.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

If you like this, you might like...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...