Friday, March 30, 2018

Streets of Aix-en-Provence

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Streets of Aix-en-Provence, 2018
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803053
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/195164903/streets-of-aix-en-provence-original

Medieval Aix is suppose to get lost in.  The wandering starts from the wide boulevard sidewalks of the Cours Mirabeau with it's countless cafes shaded by large, cloud-like trees.  At a roundabout, there's a massive fountain that we quickly splash in to cool off from the afternoon sun.  A narrow lane caught our attention as we sought a place to rest our legs.  At a Roman column with a star on top, our options became infinite.  A bit of coffee turned to aperitifs and eventually dinner.  And before our digestif we decide to continue exploring this beautiful city.   

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


Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods #286
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
201803050
© 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.


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:

The Beach of Antibes, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Beach of Antibes, France, 2018
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803051
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/211971374/the-beach-of-antibes-france-original

After a light breakfast and coffee at a small cafe, we bought a few groceries.  We planned to stay at the Plage de la Gravette beach all day.  Nothing to do but lie in the sun and cool off in the waters.  The sea peacefully rippling over the scorching sand as we enjoyed our assortment of local wine, cheese, and fruits.  The perfect end of the day came when the sun set the sky on fire.  

This painting would look best in a space that is red, yellow, green, blue, purple, 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.


Monday, March 26, 2018

Lavender Farm

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


 Lavender Farm, 2018
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803049
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/222100999/lavender-farm-original-acrylic-painting

Our bikes race up and down the gentle hills of Provence.  Everything has a distinct texture, the colors are vibrant, and the perfume in the air is intoxicating.  And every twisting road we turn down has countless rows of purple and blue lavender.  The heat of the Mediterranean sun presses against our backs as we pedal back to the village of Sault.  I'll never forget the fields of France.

This painting would look best in a space that is light red, yellow, orange, green, blue, deep purple, 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.


Friday, March 23, 2018

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods #285
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
201803048
© 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.


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:

The Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Birch Forest
acrylic paint, ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803047
© copyright Mike Kraus
Birch trees have always been a meditative source for me. Growing up, there was one outside my window that I would look at while daydreaming. And, when I needed to get away from the world I went to a grove of Birch trees to find refuge. I’ve always found the unique and nearly useless white tree interesting.

This painting would great in a small space that is dark red, dark orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, 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.



Wednesday, March 21, 2018

On the Shores of Toulon, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On the Shores of Toulon, France
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803046
© copyright Mike Kraus
We toured the Musée du vieux Toulon et de sa région and strolled the nearby neighborhoods until the streets began to fill up with tourists.  We hurried to the Cours Lafayette for the Provençal market to get some fresh food for the day.  There was a cool breeze coming off the Mediterranean that we wanted to take advantage of because of the heat.  In the early afternoon, we found a secluded harbor all our own.  The rest of the day was spend alternating between eating and cooling off in the refreshing sea.

This painting would great in a small space that is red, orange, yellow, dark green, light blue, purple, 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.



Monday, March 19, 2018

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
 Twilight Woods #284
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201803045
© 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.


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:

L.A.4.8

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
L.A.4.8
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803044
© copyright Mike Kraus
Few places could be more different than his little English Gothic hometown.  Los Angeles is a metropolis full of sun, bright colors, and everything is so artificial.  It has embraced him and has clutched it in return with will all his strength.  The pool water can conceal, reveal, and distort with every bit of sunlight, clarity, and a big splash.  This is Hollywood.

This painting would great in a small space that is red, orange, yellow, green, purple, 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.


Friday, March 16, 2018

Beach at Cannes

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
Beach at Cannes
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803043
© copyright Mike Kraus
The scent and mild breeze coming off the sea makes the hot sun tolerable.  We spent the day looking at the incredible villas, watching fancy people and luxury cars from the cafe, and buying fashionable sunglasses for the beach.  Enormous yachts gently glide through nearby waters as we enjoy our stroll along the shoreline.  Just being here is glamorous.

This painting would great in a small space that is red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, purple, 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:

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Lavender In Provence

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
Lavender In Provence
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803042
© copyright Mike Kraus

Our bikes race up and down the gentle hills of Provence.  Everything has a distinct texture, the colors are vibrant, and the perfume in the air is intoxicating.  And every twisting road we turn down has countless rows of purple and blue lavender.  The heat of the Mediterranean sun presses against our backs as we pedal back to the village of Sault.  I'll never forget the fields of France.

This painting would great in a small space that is red, orange, light yellow, green, blue, dark purple, black, white, gray, 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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