Friday, April 29, 2022

Cayuga Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Cayuga Lake
acrylic paint on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
202204013
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

A lazy day along Cayuga Lake hiking between Seneca Falls and Ithaca.  Well worn paths through gorges and woods that open up to vineyards.  A tractor path leads us down to the calm lake where we take a snack break.  It's easy to be grateful with places like this.

Have you been to Cayuga Lake?  What was your time like there?  Or is there another place you go to embrace nature?  Tell us your favorite memories.

This piece would work best in a space that is light red, orange, yellow, dark green, navy blue, purple, white, black, 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:
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Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Vision Quest XXVI

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXVI
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186312007/vision-quest-xxvi-original-acrylic

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 space that is deep red, orange, light yellow, 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 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:
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Monday, April 25, 2022

Vision Quest XXVI

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXVI
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186312007/vision-quest-xxvi-original-acrylic

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 space that is deep red, orange, light yellow, 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 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:
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Friday, April 22, 2022

Українські соняшники (Ukrainian Sunflowers)

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Українські соняшники (Ukrainian Sunflowers)
acrylic paint on canvas panel
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
202204012
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

MY UKRAINIAN FRIENDS NEED YOUR HELP
 
Here are ways you can help Ukraine right now:
Razom For Ukraine: https://razomforukraine.org/
International Rescue Committee (IRC): https://www.rescue.org/
Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

SUPPORT THESE UKRAINIAN ARTISTS by following their shops, social media, or purchasing instant downloads (no postal service available due to Russian invasion)  If you use Pinterest, please share your Ukrainian support instant downloads at: https://pin.it/4k1xtYA
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtShopNata
 
list from https://www.etsy.com/jp/shop/UsedRemakeSaiwaiNNJP of Ukrainian shops (translation available but not necessary for list)

MAKERS AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE RED CROSS OF UKRAINE (https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/.../~my-donation) at: https://www.instagram.com/russelljwest/
 
Stand With Ukraine Pampered Chef Fundraiser March 17th - April 30th at: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/standukraine?fbclid=IwAR25CzVZcbCfLG5xqdTpP_6PYisI9n5RzIV6CfvdXA1...
 
If you are in the Ukraine right now, please let us know and any ways we can help. The world is with you!
at 1 comment:

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Let's make every day Earth Day!

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Let's make every day
Earth Day!

I was poisoned. My industrial hometown's water and fish are full of mercury and other toxins. All of the forests were clear cut and the sand dunes and beach sand hauled away. Some days the air was a green or black fog from the soot, which gave me asthma. And so many of my loved ones battle cancer because they're 370% more likely to have cancer just by living there.

I believe in beauty because I understand ugliness. We lose so much when our lakes and rivers are filled with sludge. We lose when our trees are chopped and our wildlife become diseased and die from habitat loss. And we lose when the air we breathe is harmful. It's a failure if we tolerate our ugly neighborhoods and the destruction of our natural open spaces.

Fortunately, there is so much we can do together to make the world a more beautiful place. Here are 52 ways to invest in our planet:

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS - Here are lots of ways you can help Ukraine right now:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/271594646600172/permalink/1349841522108807



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, April 18, 2022

Gone Fishin'

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Gone Fishin'
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

The light splash of water is the only sound breaking the silence as I load the gear at the dock.  The boat sputtering toward the channel as I make my way to the big lake.  Setting up the equipment, my vessel gently rocks on the waves.  I crack open a beer waiting to snag a rainbow trout.  The perfect summer day.

This piece would look best in a space that is red, dark orange, yellow, 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 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:

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:

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Watkins Glen

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Watkins Glen
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201711124
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

The birds and chipmunks scurry through the leaves as we climb up the gorge.  Not too far away is the gentle crashing of a waterfall.  Step-by-step, our feet press forward as we make our way up the stairs and down the paths.  As we take a short break, we comment on how the rocks are stacked like books waiting to be placed back on the shelves.  After a little more walking, you can really take it all in at Point Lookout.

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

Friday, April 8, 2022

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 Mike Kraus Art Inc.

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?

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:
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