❓ Can you find my painting?❓

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Ready for a little art treasure hunt?

One of my favorite annual art events is officially open, and this year I’m excited to share that four of my original pieces are part of Rochester Contemporary Art Center’s (RoCo) 6x6x2026 exhibition. Thousands of tiny artworks from around the world are now available online and in person, and every piece is just $20.

There’s something especially fun about the 6x6 show because every artist creates anonymously. You browse based purely on what catches your eye, not the name attached to it. It turns collecting art into a treasure hunt, and once pieces are purchased, the artists are revealed.

If you’ve never explored 6x6 before, this is the perfect time. The online gallery makes it easy to scroll through an incredible variety of work from artists across the globe while supporting RoCo and the local arts community at the same time.

And yes… somewhere in the mix are my four mystery pieces waiting to be discovered.

Can you find my artwork at 6x6x2026?

Check out theVirtual Art Sale to support local art at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center and snag original artwork for only $20:
https://roco6x6.org/gallery/2026

Online sales are live now. You can purchase a Virtual Access Code for early access to the exhibition and the first opportunity to collect favorite pieces. General online purchasing opens to everyone on June 3.

Whether you’re a longtime collector or simply looking for a small piece that makes you smile, this show is packed with unexpected favorites. The best part is that every purchase directly supports the arts while giving you something truly original to bring home.

I’d love to hear if you spot one of mine before the reveal.

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS: FINAL DAYS of my show at the Rochester Fine Art Market! Many favorites have already sold, so don’t miss your chance to see the collection before it closes. View details here: https://rochesterfineartmarket.com

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html

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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

✨🖼️ EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND: Feel Something Real 🖼️ ✨

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Free Admission • No Tickets Required

Missed the opening? Due to an incredible response, we are keeping the doors open for one more month. Pieces are already finding homes, so this is your final chance to see the full collection.

Experience bold color, movement, and energy up close. This is art that shifts your mood the moment you walk in.

Are you going to catch it before your favorite piece disappears?

Rochester Fine Art Market

1210 Culver Road

Rochester, NY, 14609 United States

(585) 455-3356

bobwagnerrealestate@gmail.com

I've added the full gallery hours and location details to the Facebook event here https://www.facebook.com/events/1711359370220258. If you hit 'Interested' or 'Going,' Facebook will actually ping you a reminder before we close so you don't miss the final dates!

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart

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

💚 Join Me Today for Color and Energy! 💚

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

💚 I’m inviting you! 💚

Today Friday, May 1st, I'm welcoming you into two experiences built around the same idea: art that moves you. One is in-person, where you can see it, feel it, and connect face-to-face. The other is online, where creativity opens up to everyone, everywhere.

There is something we all run into. Life gets busy, attention gets pulled in a hundred directions, and before you know it, creativity becomes something you scroll past instead of something you feel. Art turns into background noise instead of a real moment. And when that happens, we lose that spark that reminds us why we love it in the first place.

So here’s the invitation. Come experience it up close.

Rochester Fine Art Market
TODAY May 1st, 2026
6pm-9pm
1210 Culver Road
Rochester, NY, 14609 United States
(585) 455-3356
bobwagnerrealestate@gmail.com

Join us for First Friday at Rochester Fine Art Market featuring my latest work. These paintings are all about bold color, movement, and organic forms that shift depending on how you stand, how you feel, and what you bring into the room. This is not just about seeing art on a wall. It is about stepping into it, meeting the energy physically, and sharing a space with people who feel that same pull toward creativity.

I have been creating art since I was a kid sketching in notebooks, through my time at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, to now painting full time for collectors around the world. At the center of all of it is one simple idea: art should make you feel something real. Joy, calm, curiosity, or even just a pause in the middle of a busy day.

That is what this night is about. You get to experience the work as it is meant to be seen, connect directly with me, meet other art lovers, and be part of a space where creativity is alive and shared. Whether you have been collecting for years or just want to explore something new, you will find something that speaks to you.

If you are anywhere near Rochester, make the time to come by. Bring a friend, walk through the gallery, start a conversation, and give yourself that reset that only art can offer.

I will be there and I would love to see you. 

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. If you cannot make it in-person, you are still part of this. Join the MayDay 2026 Online Art Festival OPEN NOW at: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtFestival

and celebrate creativity with artists and supporters from everywhere. Bring your art, your music, your voice, or just your presence. What will you bring to life?

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart

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

Join us for an exciting First Friday at Rochester Fine Art Market

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Join us for an exciting First Friday at Rochester Fine Art Market as we feature the vibrant and expressive work of Mike Kraus. Known for bold color, movement, and organic forms, Mike’s paintings bring energy and life into every space they enter. This is a chance to experience the work up close, connect with the artist, and be part of a night filled with creativity and community.

Mike has been creating art since childhood, from sketching in notebooks to studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and now painting full time for collectors around the world. His work is rooted in a simple idea that art should make you feel something real, whether that is joy, calm, curiosity, or a moment of pause in a busy day.

Come out for First Friday, explore the gallery, meet fellow art lovers, and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere where creativity is shared and celebrated. Whether you are a longtime collector or just curious, there is something here for you.

May 1st 6pm-9pm

Rochester Fine Art Market

1210 Culver Road

Rochester, NY 14609

(585) 451-8101

https://www.facebook.com/events/1628819511667412

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart

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

❄⛄❄ Happy holidays! ❄⛄❄

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Happy holidays!

If this season feels a little packed and a little fast, you are not alone. It is okay to pause, breathe, and give yourself a moment to rest. This time of year always reminds me how important it is to slow down and take in the good things we have created together.

I find myself thinking of you. How lucky it is that people like us cross paths at all. How we share the same desire to bring more beauty into the world and lift each other up when life feels heavier than expected. How we celebrate each other’s wins and stay connected through the quieter seasons too.

Thank you for being you and for bringing so much warmth, curiosity, and kindness into it. I hope you and your loved ones have a peaceful and joyful holiday season.
Questions?

Your Friend,

Mike Kraus

MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. The  ❄️☃️ Last Minute Holiday Art Festival☃️❄️is happening now with plenty of creative cheer. Join us at the party at: https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtFestival

Last days to ship before the holidays:

Hanukkah Sameach!
Christmas December 20th
Kwanzaa December 20th

📀 Instant Art To Download! 📀

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase, please visit: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt?search_query=download

OOPS!!!  While wrapping gifts you realize you forgot someone.  Or their gift was lost or never arrived by delivery.  No problem.  Download one of 300+ options of artwork and print it for an extra frame around your home.  Or make unique gift tags.  Use them as a virtual background for your online holiday party.  Or use for a thoughtful card to say "Happy Holidays!"  It's an instant gift.  And something to let your loved ones know how much you care.

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

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

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving and a warm thank you from me to you! 🍁

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

I am lucky to create artwork that speaks to people. I am lucky to share it with a community that is supportive, encouraging, and full of heart. And I am especially lucky to have you here. Thank you for being part of my creative world and for helping my artwork continue to grow and reach others.

This is the time of year when I slow down, look around, and let myself feel grateful for the people who make my life brighter. A kind word, a shared moment, a simple message from someone can turn an ordinary day into something meaningful. I believe the best relationships are built through small, sincere connections. You have given me many of those moments, and I am thankful for every single one.

Your kindness and support make everything I do possible. Thank you for being you, and thank you for sharing this journey with me. I hope this day brings you comfort, joy, and a sense of connection.

Questions?

 

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S.: Our 🍁 Grateful Art Festival 🍁 begins on Friday, November 28th, and it is a cheerful way to find thoughtful gifts at wonderful prices. There are games, activities, thousands of artists, and a bright start to the season. You are welcome to join at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1461556485171523

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

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

🍂 Let’s Celebrate Fall Together! 🍁

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

There is something magical about this time of year. The air feels crisp, the colors glow brighter, and every moment feels like a chance to pause, reflect, and reconnect.

This month, I would love for you to join me at the 🍂 Fabulous Fall Art Festival 🍂, where artists and makers from all over are sharing their most heartfelt creations. It is more than an art show: it is a celebration of creativity, connection, and community.

The 🍂 Fabulous Fall Art Festival 🍂 is now open at:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1934458910278595

As you explore, you will find art that feels like a reflection of who you are and what you love. Every piece tells a story and supports real people who pour their hearts into their craft.

Let’s make this season about joy, friendship, and surrounding ourselves with beauty that truly matters.

Questions?

Your Friend,

Mike Kraus

MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. I’m grateful we get to share this creative space together. Every message, like, or quiet visit means more than you know. Here’s to a month filled with calm moments and small joys.

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

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

🍂 A Gentle Start to the Season 🍂

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Are you ready for sweater weather?

The air has that soft edge again. The one that whispers change without saying a word. The trees turn from their summer greens into shades of honey, amber, and russet, and suddenly the light feels warmer, even as the days grow cooler. Autumn arrives quietly but confidently, reminding us to slow down and look around.

Lately, I’ve noticed how the shift into fall feels like a tug between two moods. Part of us wants to keep the ease of summer: bare feet, open windows, long sunsets. And the other part starts to plan. Holidays. Gatherings. Gifts. To-do lists. The cozy side of the season can get tangled with the pressure to get it “right.”

So here’s a small idea for this in-between time: take a pause before the rush. Find one simple ritual that feels like autumn to you. Maybe it’s a walk through crunchy leaves with a mug of something warm. Maybe it’s lighting a candle that smells like cinnamon or baking a batch of cookies just because. Let that tiny moment be your anchor before the season sweeps you along.

What I’ve learned from painting and from life is that slowing down is not the same as falling behind. It’s the moment you notice the texture in the details: the brushstrokes in a leaf, the way light hits the corner of your kitchen, the sound of laughter when everyone’s finally together again. Those small things are what make the holidays meaningful when they do arrive.

So here’s your gentle step for today: before you start planning, do something that makes you feel rooted in this very moment. Breathe it in. Let it fill you up. The rest can wait.

Here’s to a season of connection, calm, and color: where we remember that life, like art, is about savoring the layers.

Questions! 

Your Friend,

Mike Kraus

MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. I’d love for you to join me at the 🍂 Fabulous Fall Art Festival 🍂 online starting November 3. It is one of my favorite ways to welcome the season and connect with friends who love creativity and color as much as I do. Imagine curling up with your favorite drink, discovering new art, chatting with makers, and filling your home with pieces that make you smile; all without having to leave your cozy spot. Come be part of the fun and warmth.

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1418446459249700

🍁 Autumn Forest 🍁

202010096

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your home, please visit: 

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1853358704

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

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

🍂🍁 Autumn Starts Here 🍁🍂

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Today is the big day!

The Awesome Autumn Art Festival is officially open and you are invited to step into a season of color, creativity, and connection. It is all happening online at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1934458910278595, which means you can experience it wherever you are.

We all know how easy it is to let days slip by without doing something special for ourselves. Screens fill up with work, errands pile on, and before long the spark of inspiration feels far away. But art has this amazing ability to pull us out of the routine and remind us of beauty, joy, and possibility.

That is exactly why this festival exists. Think of it as a door you can open with a single click. Inside you will find fresh artwork, live moments with artists, and a chance to see the season through new eyes. There is no pressure and no ticket lines, just a vibrant space waiting for you to explore.

The best part is how personal the experience becomes. Every piece you see will spark something a little different in you, whether that is a memory, a new idea, or simply the calm of pausing to take it in. Art is not just something to look at, it is something to feel.

So here is your easy step. Pour yourself a cozy cup of tea or coffee, join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1934458910278595, and enjoy the Awesome Autumn Art Festival right now. The community is already gathering and the first artworks are ready for you to see.

This is your chance to make today memorable. Let the art carry you into the season with a sense of wonder and warmth.

Questions!

Your Friend, Mike Kraus MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. I hope your autumn has started with joy, laughter, and maybe a few crunchy leaves under your feet. When you stop by the festival, share a quick hello and let me know how the season is treating you.

🥞 Grandpa's Panny Cakes 🥞
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202510050
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/234445492

💮 Assembly Not Included 💮 
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202510051
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit:
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/242372150

🧌 The Swamp 🧌
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202509047
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To be raffled off during Opening Night of Shrek the Musical on Friday, October 10th. 
More information at: https://webstertheatreguild.org/current-show/

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike—the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

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

🦅 Before the World Knew 🦅

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

🦅 Graffiti Pier In Philly #586 🦅

pen, ink, and colored pencil on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202507033

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

For future works, please visit:

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/610879524

🔥SOLD!🔥

This wild little cityscape—full of graffiti dreams, googly eyes, and cryptic words—was snatched up before it ever went public. How? Because my collectors get first dibs on new work before anyone else sees it. 

Every time someone buys a piece from me, they get a private peek behind the curtain at what’s coming next—exclusive previews, early access, and sometimes even secret releases. It’s my way of saying thanks and keeping the art magic flowing. Want in? All you have to do is collect.

And who knows? The next piece might already have your name on it...

Are you looking to grow your art collection without breaking the bank? Join us for the Artist Trading Card (& small art) Festival (Aug 4–6, 2025) — a vibrant virtual event where you can BUY, SELL, TRADE, and SHARE original mini masterpieces with artists from around the world. Handcrafted, affordable, and full of personality — it’s everything your collection didn’t know it needed. ✨ 👉 Are you ready to find your next tiny treasure?  RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/582766991295652

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

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

🐦 When should we be "gray rocking?" 🐦

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

🐦 Spring Robin #580 🐦

pen, ink, and colored pencil on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202505023

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/210023423

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.

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!

You're invited to:

a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show

with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:

Junction361

24 N Main St

Fairport, NY 14450

https://junction361.com/

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 

🌳 When do we know to walk away? 🌳

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

🌳 Vision Quest XLIX 🌳

acrylic paint on canvas board

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

202502008

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/235717899

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

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!

You're invited to:

a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show

with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:

Junction361

24 N Main St

Fairport, NY 14450

https://junction361.com/

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