Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Pink Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

  
Pink Birch Forest #264
pen and marker on Bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)
201801010
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

Do we have to wait for someone to enter our lives to feel happiness and love?  What are we waiting for?


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 Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and Lurie Children's 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, January 30, 2023

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Twilight Woods #296
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
201806080
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/209750260/twilight-woods-296-artist-trading-cards

Where this path will end is a mystery.  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.

Is there a place you go to relax?  Is it wide-open or cozy?  What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there?  Is it a place where you can be by yourself?  What about it makes you feel good?


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, January 27, 2023

A View of the Blue Mountains of the Adirondacks

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


A View of the Blue Mountains of the Adirondacks
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201811126
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/516194540/a-view-of-the-blue-mountains-of-the


It was a steep and treacherous hike up the mountain in the Adirondacks.  A wild region full of deer, heron, and chipmunks.  You may even find a moose, coyote, or black bear on these trails.  The dense pine forest opens up to an overlook 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.

What can I do to bond with nature?  My food comes from its soil and pastures.  Everything I touch is harvested and mined from the land.  I exist because it allows me to breathe.  While it asks for nothing in return, I wonder about the consequences of losing it.

This piece would look best in a medium space that is red, orange, yellow, dark green, dark blue, purple, 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:
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Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Rue St. Paul Montréal

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Brightscapes: le chemin de la beauté


Rue St. Paul Montréal #280
gouache, ink, graphite on Bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201802035
© copyright Mike Kraus

Rue Saint-Paul Montréal #280
gouache, encre, mine de plomb sur papier Bristol
PAS UNE IMPRESSION OU REPRODUCTION
2,5" x 3,5" (6,35 cm x 8,89 cm)
201802035
© droits d'auteur Mike Kraus
Pour acheter pour votre collection, veuillez visiter: https://www.etsy.com/listing/213712985/rue-st-paul-montreal-280-artist-trading

Pierre, mon 7ème arrière-grand-père, et son frère sont arrivés à Québec vers 1665. Ils ont quitté la Normandie en France pour devenir pilotes de bateau pour Samuel Champlain en Nouvelle-France. Après 4 ans, il commence une ferme qui a grandi à 15 acres et ont 6 animaux à cornes. Pierre épouse Françoise Loignon et a 13 enfants ensemble. Au cours des 350 prochaines années, la famille s'agrandit, se déplace et se modifie. Et je me promène dans ces rues en imaginant mes ancêtres et en voyant mes cousins.

Pierre, my 7th great-grandfather, and his brother arrived in Quebec about 1665.  They left Normandy France to be boat pilots for Samuel Champlain in New France.  After 4 years, he starts a farm that grew to be 15 acres and have 6 horned animals.  Pierre marries Francoise Loignon and had 13 children together.  For the next 350+ years, the family grows, moves, and changes.  And I wander down these streets imagining my ancestors and seeing my cousins.



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.

Mike Kraus est né sur le littoral industriel de Muskegon, Michigan. Après avoir obtenu son diplôme des beaux-arts à la School of the Art Institute of Chicago, il a fréquenté la Grand Valley State University pour son diplôme d'études supérieures. À partir de là, il a acquis diverses expériences à la Chicago Architecture Foundation, à l'Art Institute of Chicago, au Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, à la Lollypop Farm Humane Society et à la Children's Memorial Foundation. Et partout où il travaillait, il avait son carnet de croquis avec lui et trouvait des moyens d'être activement créatif. En 2014, Kraus est devenu un artiste à temps plein en créant Mike Kraus Art. Depuis lors, il a vendu des milliers de peintures qui sont exposées dans presque tous les états et des dizaines de pays. Actuellement, Kraus vit à Rochester, New York avec sa belle femme et son chien maladroit.


For more information or custom order, please visit:
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Monday, January 23, 2023

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods #279
gouache paint on Bristol Paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201802034
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

Where this path will end is a mystery.  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.

Is there a place you go to relax?  Is it wide-open or cozy?  What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there?  Is it a place where you can be by yourself?  What about it makes you feel good?


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, January 20, 2023

Chicago Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Chicago Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201811125
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

The "L" train rattles and squeals after a long day at work.  Chauffeured home while reading a book and looking at the road rage of traffic below.  The backs of building pass by with their tangle of power lines and wonky patios.  This city has two side: a facade to show the world and a place where the real work gets done.  The alleys are somehow beautifully utilitarian.

What do you notice about your neighborhood?  Is it full of natural beauty or manmade?  Are there trees or have they all been removed?  Can you get places by walking and/or biking or are you forced to drive everywhere?  Where we live is who we are.

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

Join us for HELLO 2023! A 21-Day Happiness Challenge. We'll start by saying "hi" to each other, tell stories, build relationships, and (most of all) have fun: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10227568068843005&set=gm.542485097899464&idorvanity=305635098251133

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, January 18, 2023

Red Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Red Birch Forest #262
ink and marker on Bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)
201801007
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

Join us for HELLO 2023! A 21-Day Happiness Challenge. We'll start by saying "hi" to each other, tell stories, build relationships, and (most of all) have fun: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10227568009641525&set=gm.542476024567038&idorvanity=305635098251133

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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