Purple Iris

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Purple Iris

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 6" (20.3 cm x 15.2 cm) 

202004027

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase image, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1003903784/purple-iris-original-digital-download-by

or reproductions at:  https://society6.com/product/purple-iris-by-mike-kraus-flowers-art-flora-mom-mothers-day-gifts-presents-garden-purple-green_print?sku=s6-20175911p4a1v45

Spring gardening is a lot of work with little instant gratification.  There's a lot of weeding, pruning, sowing, tilling, and other activities that look like you've done less than when you started.  Little by little, some seedlings appear and other greenery.  The nightly concern of frost and expectations of deer.  One morning you wake up to unseasonable warm weather and you are surprised a burst of purple miraculously appears in your yard.  Summer must be near.

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

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Twilight Woods #426

gouache paint on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202105033

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/245021302/twilight-woods-426-artist-trading-cards

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.

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Barcelona Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Barcelona Alley

acrylic painting on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202105032

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/212845645/barcelona-alley-original-acrylic

The narrow streets off La Rambla provide generous shade from the intense heat of the sun.  Catalunya is quiet except for a lone moped delivering meals.  Barcelona's cityscape is a gallery of Roman ruins from 8 BC, Gothic homes, Baroque palaces, opulent theatres, ancient artwork, and contemporary graffiti.  Above there are countless loving homes with tenderly cared-for patio gardens.  At eye level, murals on roll-up doors share the feelings and humor of the local citizens.

This painting would look best in a small-to-medium space that is red, ornage, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, or wood. 

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Drought

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Drought

acrylic paint 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/230747612/drought-original-acrylic-painting-5-x-7

A fan oscillates near almost every window of the house.  Yet the air remains still and sticky with humidity.  The ice in my drink melts in an instant.  The grass is brown and the flowers all wilt.  The perfect day for a swim.

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

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Talons Off Your Face!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Talons Off Your Face! #425

pen, ink, and graphite on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202105031

© copyright Mike Kraus

to purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/249320765/talons-off-your-face-425-artist-trading

It is estimated that people touch their faces about 23 times per hour! Respiratory infections can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing germs. When you touch your face with dirty, unwashed hands, germs can take up residence in your mucous membranes which can lead to an infection and zits.

There are several ways that you can protect yourself from getting a respiratory infection:
1) Wear a mask and cover your nose and mouth.

2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Never touch your face with dirty hands.

3) Wash your hands frequently. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations (Use an 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands if soap and water are not available).

4) Get a flu shot every year. Encourage your family and friends to get a flu shot too!

5) Ask your healthcare provider if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.

6) Avoid being close to people who are coughing and sneezing.

(https://apic.org/monthly_alerts/dont-touch-your-face/)

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

French Press

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

 French Press

acrylic painting on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

202104030

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/209305918/french-press-original-acrylic-painting-5

Weekends start off slow and early.  Linger in bed while the dog snores with intense delight.  Eventually, I shuffle to the kitchen to put some grounds and water into the French press.  The dog and I will go outside and watch the deer graze in the backyard as it brews.  Back inside, I'll fill a couple for travel mugs and we make our way to our hiking destination.  I wish every morning was like this.

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

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 

Children who love and take care of their mothers know they are lucky, because they honor the most important person in their lives.  Mother's Day is a day of celebration for the mom who is always there for you when you need them.  THANK YOU MOMS!  We really would have been nothing without you and we love you for that.

Stay Safe,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS - New Mother's Day Traditions: Having Fun During COVID-19: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2021/04/new-mothers-day-traditions-having-fun.html

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:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus