Monday, November 19, 2018

On the Shore of Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On the Shore of Lake Michigan
acrylic paint on canvas
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201810124
© copyright Mike Kraus
“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong." - Lao Tzu

More About Mike Kraus Art
Works by Larry Wood​, Larry DeKock​ and I at the Books, ETC. ​ art show
https://www.facebook.com/events/500270760452282/

Whitman Works Company​


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:

Friday, November 16, 2018

Isla Bartolomé Galapogos

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Isla Bartolomé Galapogos 
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm) 
201810122
© copyright Mike Kraus
Our boat arrives at a pile of lava just off Sullivan Bay on Isla Santiago.  A primordial wind-swept landscape dotted with sunbathing turtles and playful penguins.  Our ascent up the wooden steps toward the summit is slow as iguanas, eagles, and other wildlife interrupt.  Creatures weaving in and out of every lava formation and jagged cliff.  And when we arrive at the summit, we must contemplate the magic of the Earth.

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:

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Kicker Rock (León Dormido) Galapagos

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Kicker Rock (León Dormido) Galapagos 
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm) 
201810121
© copyright Mike Kraus
Our boat left promptly at 8 am from the dock.  The light spray of the warm waters keep us deceptively unaware of the sun's heat.  The helmsman loudly proclaims "there's Kicker Rock" and points as soon as it comes within view.  The anticipation grows as we get closer and prepare our snorkeling equipment.  We've seen so many incredible animals on the islands already; what's could be under the water?

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:

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

On the Shore of Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On the Shore of Lake Michigan
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201810123
© copyright Mike Kraus
She sits very quiet and still.  The silence is soothing and only interrupted by a gentle breeze.  But, she's having difficulty keeping focus on her meditation this morning.  Her eyes open and are drawn to the painting of Lake Michigan.  The calm waters are how she wants her mind to be.  After some contemplation, she is able to achieve mindfulness once again. 

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:

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Coffee Art Project at the Los Angeles Coffee Festival

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Morning Cup of Coffee
 acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) in a frame
201809112
© copyright Mike Kraus
For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/650358441/morning-cup-of-coffee-original-digital

The Los Angeles Coffee Festival (https://www.la-coffeefestival.com/) is LA’s flagship coffee event, celebrating the burgeoning specialty coffee scene in this great city. With exceptional coffee, as well as food, cocktails, live music and art on offer, it’s an unmissable event for coffee lovers of all levels.


The Los Angeles Coffee Festival is a celebration of community and culture, located at the Magic Box @ The Reef (1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90007) (http://www.the-reef.com/magic-box/) from November 9 - 11. Whether you're a beginner, coffee aficionado, self-confessed coffee geek, or key industry stakeholder, we're curating an immersive program just for you.

Taste your way through the vibrant Los Angeles coffee scene with hundreds of exciting coffees to sample. Boost your coffee knowledge in workshops, be a part of interactive demos and meet the top US artisans and baristas one-to-one.  To top it all off, enjoy delicious street food, coffee cocktails, live music and coffee-inspired art.

With 100% of our profits being donated to Project Waterfall (http://www.projectwaterfall.org/) to deliver life-changing water projects in coffee-growing regions. Since 2011, Project Waterfall has raised over $1.4 million, bringing clean water to more than 25,000 people across seven countries. 





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:

Thursday, November 8, 2018

The Coffee Art Project at the Allegra World Coffee Portal CEO Forum

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Morning Cup of Coffee
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/197718982/the-morning-cup-of-coffee-original

Welcome to the start of the Allegra World Coffee Portal CEO Forum, an exclusive, global gathering of over 200 senior leaders and influencers from across the coffee, café and related food-to-go sectors.  I hope you enjoy your time in Los Angeles and have a chance to see the artwork at the Coffee Art Project (http://www.coffeeartproject.com/) as a part of the Los Angeles Coffee Festival (https://www.la-coffeefestival.com).  THANKS AGAIN! 


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:

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

On the Shore of Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On the Shore of Lake Michigan
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201705047
© copyright Mike Kraus
It's been hot and humid while I've been at work.  Once 5 o' clock hits, I'm all set to flee into the blazing sun toward the beach.  I drop my towel, keys, and other items into the scalding hot sand and make my way to the cool water.   There's just a gentle splash at the shoreline on the calm waters.  The rays of the sun still penetrating my skin as I wade just beyond the sand bar.

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

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