Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset on Lake Michigan
acrylic paint of canvas
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201705050
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/253340151/sunset-on-lake-michigan-original-acrylic
My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire.  A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm are the price of admission.  The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake.  The scent of the shoreline pares perfectly with the changing colors of the sky.  I faintly hear my friends voices over the water splashing as they collect wood and prepare for a perfect summer night.

This painting would great in a space that is light red, orange, dark yellow, green, blue, 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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Monday, October 29, 2018

Vision Quest XXIX

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest XXIX
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201705051
© copyright Mike Kraus

Twilight along the shores of the Great Lake.  In the valley between the dunes is a cluster of birch.  Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees.  A humble spot secluded by nature.  A perfect place to find one's purpose in life.

This piece would work in a space that is deep red, orange, light 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.

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Friday, October 26, 2018

Beach In Albufeira, Portugal

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Beach In Albufeira, Portugal
Acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Not too far from Faro on the Algarve coast is the town of Albufeira.  An old fisherman's village turned tourist destination.  Travelers are attracted to the burning sun above the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  It's rare to find an empty beach nestled against the golden sandstone cliffs.  A place to rejuvenate under the rays with a little vinho verde.  

This painting would look best in a space that is blue, light green, light pink, orange, light purple, grey, or sand beige.



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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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

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
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186312007/vision-quest-xxvi-original-acrylic

Twilight along the shores of the Great Lake.  In the valley between the dunes is a cluster of birch.  Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees.  A humble spot secluded by nature.  A perfect place to find one's purpose in life.

This piece would work in a space that is deep red, orange, light 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.


For more information or custom order, please visit:


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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

HAPPY 5TH SCOUT-IVERSARY!

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Monday, October 22, 2018

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

The light splash of water was the only sound breaking the silence as we loaded our gear before sunrise at the dock.  The boat sputtering toward the channel as we made our way to the big lake.  As we set up our equipment, the sun was a glowing orange as began to appear.  I ate my doughnut watching it rise and waiting to snag a rainbow trout.  The boat rocking in the gentle breeze.

This piece 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.


For more information or custom order, please visit:



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Friday, October 19, 2018

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board in a frame
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201705052
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/224142863/twilight-woods-original-acrylic-painting
I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up. 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. 

This piece would work in a small-to-medium space that is dark red, dark orange, yellow, green, blue, 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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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

On the Shore of Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On the Shore of Lake Michigan
Acrylic on Canvas
16" x 20 (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
© 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, 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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Monday, October 15, 2018

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset on Lake Michigan
acrylic paint of canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201705053
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/637376380/sunset-on-lake-michigan-original-acrylic
My feet sink into the fine beach sand as I make my way toward the bonfire.  A case of beer in one hand and a bundle of wood under the other arm are the price of admission.  The heat of the sun begins to give way to the cool breeze blowing off the lake.  The scent of the shoreline pares perfectly with the changing colors of the sky.  I faintly hear my friends voices over the water splashing as they collect wood and prepare for a perfect summer night.

This painting would great in a space that is light red, orange, dark yellow, green, blue, 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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Thursday, October 11, 2018

The Coffee Art Project at The New York 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 New York Coffee Festival (https://www.newyorkcoffeefestival.com) is New York’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 New York Coffee Festival is a celebration of community and culture, returning to the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011 - https://www.metropolitanevents.com/) from October 12-14. 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 New York 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/), partnering with NYC-based charity: water (https://www.charitywater.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:
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Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Decisions of Destiny

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Decisions of Destiny #314
gouache paint and ink on bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201810120
© 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.

More About Mike Kraus Art
Boston Voyager Magazine Interview

Join my 540WMain Community Learning Academy workshop "How To Become A Professional Artist

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM​ Rochester at:

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.
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