Tuesday, March 5, 2019

All We Hear Is Radio Gaga

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Marketplace by NPR (National Public Radio) recently interviewed me for a segment about "alternative investments" in art.  Please listen at: 

More advice on art investment available at:

Your Friend,
Michael Kraus


PS - To hear about my artwork, process, and mutt, listen to Graphic Ear interview at WAYO 104.3FM at: https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/


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, March 4, 2019

Skaneateles Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Skaneateles Lake
acrylic painting on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Classic wooden motor boats race through Skaneateles Lake on a fine summer afternoon.  After some light shopping and heavenly burgers, we decide to hike along the shoreline.  An old vineyard somehow manages to survive the invasion of mega-mansions.  There's a cool breeze coming off the lake on a hot day.  An increasing rare sacred open space along the Finger Lakes.

This painting would look best in a space that is light orange, navy blue, burgundy red, evergreen, or cadmium yellow, 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.

(Detail)

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Friday, March 1, 2019

Los Angeles Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Los Angeles Alley
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201903023
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/246241892/los-angeles-alley-original-acrylic

Los Angeles is an attractive beacon of optimism.  What started as a Spanish colony of 11 people has exploded into a population of 18.7 million people.  The Chinese came to build the railroads, African Americans seeking better opportunities after World War II, Koreans to be entrepreneurial shopkeepers, Latinos who founded and built the city, along with countless other people from around the globe.  Los Angeles' diversity and openness to the world has made it the 3rd largest metropolitan economy.  Behind the thin veneer of glamour is the hard work of millions of good people.

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

More About Mike Kraus Art
Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/


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:

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201902022
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/623208731/sunset-sherbert-birch-forest-original

I count my breaths as I enter the woods.  It calms my thoughts and helps me to relax.  The chaos and cravings of the world evaporate with every step.  If you're fortunate enough to find the mysterious pass, then you enter into paradise.  This is the magic of the forest.

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


More About Mike Kraus Art
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.


Monday, February 25, 2019

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


 Twilight Woods
Acrylic on canvas 
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
© 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 painting would look best in a space that is orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, 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:


Friday, February 22, 2019

Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201902021
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/621204953/sunset-sherbert-birch-forest-original

I count my breaths as I enter the woods.  It calms my thoughts and helps me to relax.  The chaos and cravings of the world evaporate with every step.  If you're fortunate enough to find the mysterious pass, then you enter into paradise.  This is the magic of the forest.

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


More About Mike Kraus Art
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.


Thursday, February 21, 2019

Vision Quest XLI

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Vision Quest XLI
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710106
© copyright Michael Kraus


Twilight along the shore of the Lake Michigan.  In the valley between the dunes is a cluster of birch.  Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees.  A humble spot secluded by nature.  A perfect place to find one's purpose in life.

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:

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201902020
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/621204953/sunset-sherbert-birch-forest-original

I count my breaths as I enter the woods.  It calms my thoughts and helps me to relax.  The chaos and cravings of the world evaporate with every step.  If you're fortunate enough to find the mysterious pass, then you enter into paradise.  This is the magic of the forest.

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


More About Mike Kraus Art
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 15, 2019

Los Angeles Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Los Angeles Alley
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201902019
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/246241892/los-angeles-alley-original-acrylic

Los Angeles is an attractive beacon of optimism.  What started as a Spanish colony of 11 people has exploded into a population of 18.7 million people.  The Chinese came to build the railroads, African Americans seeking better opportunities after World War II, Koreans to be entrepreneurial shopkeepers, Latinos who founded and built the city, along with countless other people from around the globe.  Los Angeles' diversity and openness to the world has made it the 3rd largest metropolitan economy.  Behind the thin veneer of glamour is the hard work of millions of good people.

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

More About Mike Kraus Art
Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/



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:

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Winter Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Winter Woods #338
gouache paint on bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201902018
© 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.

More About Mike Kraus Art
Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

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.

Monday, February 11, 2019

Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201902017
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/621204953/sunset-sherbert-birch-forest-original

I count my breaths as I enter the woods.  It calms my thoughts and helps me to relax.  The chaos and cravings of the world evaporate with every step.  If you're fortunate enough to find the mysterious pass, then you enter into paradise.  This is the magic of the forest.

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


More About Mike Kraus Art
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 8, 2019

Sunflowers In Provence France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunflowers In Provence France
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201902016
© copyright Michael Kraus

We take our time leaving Avignon.  We sit in a little cafe as we talk about our plans for the day.  All the villages we'll see.  The quaint farms.  All the food.  But nothing prepared us for the beautiful fields of sunflowers making their surroundings even brighter.  What will we find in Cannes and Nice?

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


If you like this, you might like...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...