Friday, March 1, 2024

End of Rob's Trail At Hemlock Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


End of Rob's Trail At Hemlock Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
202402003
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your cottage, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/708800293

Hiking down the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) trail is easy. The switchbacks bounce between cascading waterfall creeks. A strong scent of pine as we startle unsuspecting deer around the bend. On the stony beach we enjoy a picnic of bacon bread, cheese, crackers, and chocolate. The fish jump as we soak our feet in the water. The hill isn't the only reason it's a difficult hike back.

Over 100 homes and 5 hotels use to ring Hemlock Lake connected by 5 large ships. The pollution began to poison the waters. In 1852, the City of Rochester began to process of improving water quality after contamination lead to a massive disease outbreak. Over 5,000 acres were purchased and all buildings demolished to improve the water's purity. Today, it's the prime example of how to live with these sacred lakes.

This piece would best in a small-to-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:

By Record Archive At the 490/590 "Can of Worms" Interchange In Rochester, New York


Am I happy?  Why am I so worried?  Maybe something has to change.

We are all born with kindness and goodness.  All we want is to find happiness.  And this means we are more alike than we realize.

Our upbringing, thoughts, and beliefs may be different.  But, we all want what is best for ourselves and our loved ones.  We are not a billboard.  But, our caring for one another can make living easier for everyone.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

A Dog Named Broccoli

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


A Dog Named Broccoli #1
pen and ink on Bristol paper
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202307036
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To commission your own piece, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/186507940

LET'S CREATE YOUR VERY OWN PAINTING TOGETHER!  Your cherished memory or idea can be made into a work of art.  Whether you want to remember a special day or give something to a caring friend; we can work together to create something unique.  Invest in yourself and the arts with a special vision to color your walls.

ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:
🐴📦 Funny Little Box 📦🐴:


A Dog Named Broccoli #2
pen and ink on Bristol paper
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202307037
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To commission your own piece, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/186507940

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 the 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:

Monday, February 26, 2024

Canandaigua Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Canandaigua Lake
2016 © copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1654043578

The warm breeze rushes through the car as we drive down country roads with our windows down.  Every bend reveals new sights.  Every hill a new perspective on the panorama.  Always searching for our favorite vistas.  A day full of hiking and picnics among the waves of petals.  It's the little things in life that make us grateful.

How do you relax?  Is it making a nice meal after a long day?  Maybe it's setting aside some time for exercise or yoga?  Or quietly cuddling with your dog on the sofa.  We all need time to take care of ourselves.

Canandaigua Lake
2016 © copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 

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 the 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:

Friday, February 23, 2024

East Shore Preserve at Bare Hill On Canandaigua Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


East Shore Preserve at Bare Hill On Canandaigua Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
202402002
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your cottage, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/514794182

So hidden, you'll drive by without realizing it. But, a perfect hidden gem on a hot summer day. A narrow path twists and turns down the steep hill. A warm breeze makes the leaves rattle in the bright sunlight. The smell of fresh water getting stronger with every winding step we take. Once we reach the end, we soak our feet on a tiny beach we have all to ourselves.

Where is your favorite place? Who do you go there with? Why is it so special to you? How does it make you feel?

This painting would look great in a 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 Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the 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:

Just 78 Years Since...

 


Stuck in traffic on 490 in Rochester, New York, my eyes linger on a hot pink billboard.  It says, "We're just 78 years since the gas chambers.  So no, a billboard calling out Jew hate isn't an overreaction."  How do I feel about this?

What if I were afraid of cruelty and violence in my own home?  Worried for the safety of my children, friends, and family?  Not because of something I did, but for only being me.  Could I count on you to be a friend?  People like us should be sharing kindness, right?

Sometimes, we can feel alone.  But we are a community of friends and neighbors.  In the end, we all want to be happy.  So many of us are feeling anxious.  And I want you to know how much I appreciate you and that so many of us care.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Vision Quest V

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vision Quest V
2014 © copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 

There's a valley between the dunes with a cluster of birches.  Their white bark clinging to the trunks of the unusual trees.  A gentle breeze wrestles the leaves to mimic the waves on the sea.  This is where I go when my heart beats too fast and my breathing is labored.  It is a place of calm.

How do you relax?  Is it making a nice meal after a long day?  Maybe it's setting aside some time for exercise or yoga?  Or quietly cuddling with your dog on the sofa.  We all need time to take care of ourselves.


Vision Quest V
2014 © copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 


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 the 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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