Showing posts with label sky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sky. Show all posts

Friday, July 24, 2020

Seneca Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Seneca Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202007059
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/696666366/seneca-lake-original-acrylic-painting-8

The cool breeze off Seneca Lake feels refreshing as we return with empty backpacks and worn feet.  A staycation adventure of hiking, wine, picnics, and swimming in the hot sun.  The lapping of water on the shoreline as we enjoy an aperitif.  The sun begins to fade and there's a sweet scent radiating from the vineyards as we saunter aimlessly.  We're fortunate that social distancing can be so beautiful.

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

Tips For Working At Home
Communication:
Be You!: 

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.

at No comments:

Friday, June 12, 2020

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202006043
© copyright Mike Kraus

I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up.  The trees rustle in the breeze stirring up the aromas of the forest.  A freshness one always has to remind themselves of in civilization.  The light refracts in strange ways at this time.  It's when the surreal becomes the real.

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

Tips For Working At Home
Communication

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:
at No comments:

Friday, January 17, 2020

Canandaigua Trail

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Canandaigua Trail
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911108
© copyright Mike Kraus
For information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-artwork-by

A lot of expected of me when I'm in the city.  I wake up early, constantly checking my messages, taking meeting, and so much more.  And trying to reach those expectations can be exhausting.  But, I have a place where I escape to contemplate and just "be me,"  From here, there's not a problem in the world that can bother me.


Whitman Works
gallery is closing...

But, you won't find better deals on original. Get 25% OFF everything in the gallery. Also, January 18th is a special open house sale with more in-house incentives and giveaways. Come and join us as we celebrate 3+ years of working with area artists.

More information at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2936079256454188/





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:
at No comments:

Monday, October 7, 2019

Canandaigua Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Canandaigua Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201909085
© copyright Mike Kraus
Nestled between hills covered with traditional wineries and family-run Bed and Breakfasts is Canandaigua Lake.  After a morning in the warm waters, we peruse the village shops on Main Street.  We ended up at the restaurant at the marina watching the courteous boat traffic.  Our lazy journey to Naples seems almost heavenly as we pass roadside fruit stands overlooking the lake.  A great place for a summer day.  

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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:

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.

at 2 comments:

Friday, August 9, 2019

Autumn In the Adirondacks

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Autumn In the Adirondacks
Acrylic paint on canvas
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

It was a steep and treacherous hike up the mountain in the Adirondacks.  A wild region full of deer, herons, and chipmunks.  You may even find a moose, coyote, or black bear on these trails.  The dense pine forest opens up to a meadow full of brisk autumn air.  There is a startling calmness.  And from this view, it's as if we can see all six million acres of this park.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, 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


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 2 comments:

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Vision Quest XL

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XL
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710101
© copyright Michael Kraus
What are the benefits of buying original art?  Generally, most reasons fall into one of the categories of Style, Originality, Texture/Depth, History, Emotional, Investment and Fun.

Investment - Original artwork can appreciate in value.  As I mentioned before, an artist's popularity rises and falls cyclically.  If this is important to you, take that risk into consideration.  What kind of risks should you consider?  Pablo Picasso isn't alive and making any new paintings.  His work is very popular and expensive.  Will that scarcity cause his pieces to continue to rise in value or has it peaked?  An established artist has some very reasonable prices on her work.  Her career has been praised and well documented along with rumors of a major retrospective show.  Perhaps now is the time to buy?  A mid-career artist came onto the scene like a rock star many years ago and continues to make work even though his fame has waned lately.  The work is still incredible and he continues to have gallery shows.  His "stock price" may be low right now, but a "comeback" seems inevitable.  What about the biggest risk/reward scenario in the art world, the emerging artist?  You didn't know of them a few weeks ago, but now you see their work everywhere.  Where will their career lead?  Who knows?  But, getting on the ground floor early in an artist's career could be like winning the lottery.  And, isn't an investment in your favorite piece of art way more interesting to look at than your 401(k) statement?

Please visit: http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/art-investing.html for some advice to consider in purchasing original 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.


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:

Friday, June 28, 2019

Elephants of Tanzania

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Elephants of Tanzania
acrylic paint on canvas
12" x 12" (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)
201906055
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/elephants-of-tanzania_print?sku=s6-9012384p4a1v45

For years, she's been planning to turn this room into a library.  There's been lots of discussions and ideas.  Shelves have been built.  Molding has been added.  There's been a lot of carpentry and even a new chair to be cozy in while reading.  But, there was a spot that just seemed to be missing something.  And she created something perfect for that space by commissioning the Elephant of Tanzania.



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.


at No comments:

Friday, May 31, 2019

Seneca Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Seneca Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
201905049
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!!

To celebrate Megan's birthday, we took a day trip to the wineries on the east side of Seneca Lake.  The focus was red wines with a view.  And Damiani Wine (https://damianiwinecellars.com/) was a great way to start.  Very friendly and knowledgeable staff with great wines.


J.R. Dill (http://www.jrdillwinery.com/) had a great patio, an eclectic and affordable range of wine, and a fun.  And, if you're like me, and don't know a lot about wine, it's a great place to start and learn a few things.

Atwater Estate Vineyards (https://www.atwatervineyards.com/) really knew how to enhance their view.  A tasting room overlooking the lake.  A patio to relax and enjoy a glass or two of wine.  And vineyards to wander around in.



Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars (https://lamoreauxwine.com/) was a temple to wine.  A wonderful variety of wine, beautiful tasting spaces, and a very outgoing staff.  Local artists work covers the walls making it an impressive destination.




Fingerlick's Ice Cream is so good they don't need a website or social media.  So good they only need to be open 3 days a week.  There's quite a few creative combinations and very generous proportions.  This all makes for a very happy birthday girl.


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.

at No comments:
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