Friday, February 26, 2021

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Taco 'Bout Awesome
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202102013
© copyright Mike Kraus
Many Mexicans remained in the southwest after the invasion of the Mexican-American War.  While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised Mexicans and Native Americans in the captured territory US citizenship, they lost their civil and political rights for at least 120 years.  From this came a group of women entrepreneurs called "Chili Queens" that sold tacos as street vendors, an easy to make meal for the silver miners of 18th century Mexico.  When the railroads came in the 1880s, the tourist sought out the Chili Queen's tacos just as much as any other attraction.  From there, tacos evolved to use ingredients available in the United State and the development of food processing; including iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes.  This culinary delight is a tribute to our turbulent shared American history.  And something to remember every time we celebrate Taco Tuesday.


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, February 24, 2021

House on Île d'Orléans

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


 House on Île d'Orléans
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Near Quebec City, in the St. Lawrence River, is the Île d'Orléans.  We spend the day parallel to the coast on Chemin Royal stopping at roadside markets, colonial markets, and wineries.   Seeing where my ancestors settled after leaving France in the 1600s.  We ended the day in Sainte-Pétronille with art galleries, coffee, and chocolate.  Just relaxing and enjoying the view.

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



Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Board Game Night: Having Fun During COVID-19



Board Game Night: Having Fun During COVID-19


The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has meant spending a lot of time with your family, roommate, and other members of your household at home. And that should be "quality time."   And board games are a great way to interact with each other.

1) Getting Together - Make some snacks and beverages and gather your household family/roommates.  Maybe some board game inspired drinks: https://cocktailporter.com.au/blogs/news/cocktails-and-board-games

2) Game Night - Is there a night of the week that's particularly uneventful (I'm looking at you, Wednesday).  Try to set aside some time with everyone to have fun.  If you make it a regular activity, it will be something for everyone to look forward to each week.

3) Collecting Dust - What do you already have in your closet or attic?  Rotate members of your group who selects that week's game.  


4) Game Selection - Obviously, choose a game that allows everyone to participate and is age appropriate.  While digging in your closet, did you notice a pattern with your games?  Were most of them strategy, trivia, guessing, word, or other?  Determine what kind of games your household likes the most.

5) Mail Order Games - If you're like me, you've pretty much memorized all the answers to Trivial Pursuit and looking for something new.  With game selection, we've discovered with both enjoy cooperative strategy games.  And how awesome it is to get a new game in the mail (along with boxes of wine).  A couple personal favorites are:

HuntAKiller.com - It's like a monthly "escape room" at home.  Each month, we receive a box of clues to solve an overall crime at the end of the series.  It comes with evidence props and even a music playlist.  

LuckyDuckGames.com - Has unique interactive games.  We purchased Chronicles of Crime: 1400, which is solving cases from medieval Paris.  It's one game that has multiple stories and variations.  Players use a smartphone to view crime scenes and interview witnesses. 

6) Young Kids - Some suggestions are: Richard Scarry's Busytown, eeBoo Create and Tell Me a Story, Spot It!, Ruckus, Hisss, Candy Land,  Hoot Owl Hoot!, and The Sneaky Sneaky Squirrel.  And remember the classics from our childhood as many of them still exist or can be found on eBay.


7) Older Kids - Some suggestions are: Pictomania, Telestrations, Forbidden Island, Fluxx, Ultimate Werewolf, Escape the room, Ticket To Ride, Apples to Apples, Loonacy, and Machi Koro.  My personal favorites were Pictionary and Balderdash. 

8) Family - Some suggestions are: Santorini, Azul, The Isle of Cats, Exploding Kittens, Labyrinth, Pandemic (no, really), Hedbanz, Articulate, and Mysterium. 

9) Adults - Some suggestions are: Drink-a-palooza, Betrayal at House On the Hill, Rummikub, Codenames, Clue, Hedbanz Adulting, Cards Against Humanity, Catan, Loaded Questions, Risk, Carcassonne, and Scythe. 


10) Classics - Some suggestions are: chess, cards (countless games), checkers, dominoes, Cribbage, Trivial Pursuit, Password, Taboo, Scattergories, Sorry!, Traffic Jam, Cranium, Qwirkle, Jenga, Boggle, Don't Break the Ice, Twister, Agricola, Chinese checkers, Axis and Allies, Battleship, Monopoly, Game of Life, Scrabble, Stratego, Backgammon, Blokus, Connect Four, Operation, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Mouse Trap, Mastermind, Uno, Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, Yahtzee, Catchphrase, Speak Out, Mad Gab, Sequences, and Dominion.

11) Tournaments - My friends and I use to play tournament-style when we played 2-player board games or video games.  For example, we had four people that would pair off.  With a quick game like checkers we'd play best of 3 games.  The two winners of those games would play best of 5 games.  

12) Online Games With Those Outside Your Home - Here are some game ideas: SongPopHeads Up HousepartyTicket To RideAnimal CrossingMario Kart TourCoin MasterHarry Potter: Hogwarts mysteryExploding KittensWords With FriendsWerewolfJackboxScrabbleClueMarvel Strike ForceFortniteGolf BattleQuiz UpScattergoriesFishdom, and so many more!!!


AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!


Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)
8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

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

Monday, February 22, 2021

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods #415
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202102010

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.


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.

Friday, February 19, 2021

Los Angeles Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Los Angeles Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202102011
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/246241892/los-angeles-alley-original-acrylic

Los Angeles is an attractive beacon of optimism.  What started as a Spanish colony of 11 people has exploded into a population of 18.7 million people.  The Chinese came to build the railroads, African Americans seeking better opportunities after World War II, Koreans to be entrepreneurial shopkeepers, Latinos who founded and built the city, along with countless other people from around the globe.  Los Angeles' diversity and openness to the world has made it the 3rd largest metropolitan economy.  Behind the thin veneer of glamour is the hard work of millions of good people.

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, gray, beige. 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 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, February 17, 2021

The Loblolly Pine

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Loblolly Pine
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

There's a cool breeze blowing through the humid lowland swamp.  The scent of rosemary mixes with the aroma of the moist acidic clay soil.  The towering Loblolly Pine slightly sways in the wind.  There's a thud of green pine cones at random intervals.  The sun retreats into the hills after another day of blistering heat.  

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



Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Movie Superfan: Having Fun During COVID-19


Movie Superfan: Having Fun During COVID-19

1 EXT. PLANET EARTH - DAY
(deep male voice boom)
In a world with COVID-19 (Coronavirus), only one actor can save the planet by keeping it entertained.  Who will you choose?
End of Act One    

1) Who Is Your Favorite Actor? - Who is someone you'll watch in any movie; good or bad?  Maybe there's an actor that you want to see more of their work.  Every member of the household could have a selection too.  Don't have anyone in mind?  Here's a few suggestions: Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Katherine Hepburn, Denzel Washington, Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Viola Davis, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert De Niro, and so many more at: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls053085147/

2) That's More Than I Expected? - Copy and or print a list of all their films for tracking.  

3) The Alpha and Omega of ____'s Career - Start watching!  You can begin in chronological order.  Or you could try alphabetical order.  If the actor has lots of old, obscure, or difficult to find movies it could be in order of acquisition.

4) When To Watch? - You could binge all their work.  Or, pick a night of a week to watch.  My wife and I like listening to podcasts and other research on Wednesdays and then watch the film on Saturday.  It makes even bad movies fun because we know some backstories, details to look for, and plot holes that don't make sense.

5) Getting Together - Make some snacks and beverages and gather your household family/roommates.  Maybe some movie inspired drinks: 
https://tastessence.com/amazing-cocktails-inspired-by-movies 


AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!


Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)
8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

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

Monday, February 15, 2021

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods #414
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202102009

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.


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.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202102008
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/235352360/sunflowers-and-lavender-in-provence

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 small-to-medium space that is red, orange, yellow, green, dark blue, purple, black, white, gray, beige. 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 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, February 10, 2021

Cabin In Treman State Park

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Cabin In Treman State Park
acrylic on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus

Our feet are sore after hiking along Enfield Creek to see Lucifer Falls.  It's a rocky gorge full of cliffs, stairs, and waterfalls.  There's an explosion of color that matches the roar of the water.  At the end of the rim trail is the cabin.  A perfect place to get away from the world.

This painting would look best in a space that is green, red, violet, purple, brown  beige, black, white, or on 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 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.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Valentine's Gratitude Board: Having Fun During COVID-19

 
Valentine's Gratitude Board: Having Fun During COVID-19

Valentine's Day is about gratitude and kindness for everyone; not just romantic couples.  During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, it's good to remind ourselves that we a lot to appreciate in our lives.  Let's see how lucky we are with a gratitude board.

1) What Is a Gratitude Board? - It's easy.  It's just a poster board, cardboard, side of fridge, large concrete retaining wall, or anything that you can write what you're grateful for.  It can be as simple or as complicated as you'd like.  It can be your wall with Post-It Notes.  Or it can be ornately designed to complement your interior decor.  It can be all photos!

2) What Am I Grateful For? - This is a moment to forget about the news media and nasty attitudes on social media.  It's a time to reflect on what really matters to you.

People: Think about your partner, kids, parents, grandparents and other loved ones.  Who are your friends and why?  A confidant at work.

Actions: Did someone do something nice for you today?  Help you in a moment of need.  Or just listened to you during a moment of difficulty?

Stuff: Do you appreciate the food, shelter, clothing, and your health?  Say it.

The Small Things: Gratitude doesn't have to be grand.  In fact, beauty comes in small doses.  It can be a sunny day.  Maybe a smile during an absurd meeting on Zoom.  A funny moment while walking the dog.  

3) Who Should Participate? - This is a personal choice and should not be forced on anyone.  Your attitude is your decision.  This can be done individually as a form of self-care.  Or you can paint a piece of plywood and have the whole neighborhood take part in being happy.


4) When Should I Be Grateful? - Set aside a moment each day for a little reflection.  Have a reminder on your phone if that helps.  Some people find that it helps set the tone for the day if it's the first activity they do after waking up.  Others find it reassuring if it's the last thing they do before bed.  There's no correct answer.  Do what works best for you.

5) Where Should I Be Grateful? - It should be somewhere that will be viewed by all participants regularly.  If it's for you, it can be on your bedroom mirror or a daily used notebook.  For a family, a kitchen or living room might be more appropriate.  Create an online board with friends and others on social media.  All contributors should see it frequently and be able to access at all times. 

6) Why Am I Doing This? - I admit, when this was introduced to me I thought it was cheesy and just another unnecessary chore.  But, I witnessed a moment when negative words and actions caused a loved one pain at a time that should have been very joyful.  So, I decided to take it seriously and find ways for it to be personally meaningful.  

Oddly enough, there was a science experiment about it.  When soccer/football players were positively told to kick a ball to the top left corner of the goal, they were far more accurate because that's what they focused on.  But, when soccer/football players were negatively told to avoid kicking the ball to the bottom right of the goal, the ball ended up their the majority of the time because that's what they focused on.  (If you know of this study, please let me know so I can cite it).  The lesson: If you focus on happiness you're far more likely to be happy.


AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!


Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)
8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

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

Monday, February 8, 2021

Morning Cup of Coffee

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Morning Cup of Coffee #413
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202102006

With sunrise at 5:29 AM, how am I expected to get any sleep?  Ugh.  I stammer out of bed to perform my usual morning routine of letting the dog out and all.  My bones ache.  I load up the coffeemaker with grounds and water.  It gurgles and puffs.  A steady stream trickling into the pot.  A mug full of caffeine to keep me awake during the day.


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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