Friday, May 10, 2019

Rue de Montréal (Montreal Street)

Brightscapes: Le chemin de la beauté
Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Rue de Montréal (Montreal Street)
peinture acrylique sur toile (acrylic paint on canvas board)
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201905045
© copyright Mike Kraus
Pour acheter, veuillez visiter: https://www.etsy.com/listing/691392452/montreal-street-original-acrylic?ref=shop_home_active_1&langid_override=3
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/691392452/montreal-street-original-acrylic

Pierre, mon 7ème arrière-grand-père, et son frère sont arrivés à Québec vers 1665. Ils ont quitté la Normandie en France pour devenir pilotes de bateau pour Samuel Champlain en Nouvelle-France. Après 4 ans, il commence une ferme qui a grandi à 15 acres et ont 6 animaux à cornes. Pierre épouse Françoise Loignon et a 13 enfants ensemble. Au cours des 350 prochaines années, la famille s'agrandit, se déplace et se modifie. Et je me promène dans ces rues en imaginant mes ancêtres et en voyant mes cousins.

Pierre, my 7th great-grandfather, and his brother arrived in Quebec about 1665.  They left Normandy France to be boat pilots for Samuel Champlain in New France.  After 4 years, he starts a farm that grew to be 15 acres and have 6 horned animals.  Pierre marries Francoise Loignon and have 13 children together.  For the next 350+ years, the family grows, moves, and changes.  And I wander down these streets imagining my ancestors and seeing my cousins.

Cette peinture aurait meilleure apparence dans un petit espace qui est rouge, jaune, orange, vert, bleu, violet, blanc, noir, gris, beige ou bois.

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

En savoir plus sur l'art de Mike Kraus
More About Mike Kraus Art

 Entretien avec NPR Marketplace Business News sur l’art en tant qu’investissement alternatif
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment
Entretien avec Graphic Ear sur WAYO 104.3 FM
Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/

Entretien avec le magazine Boston Voyager à l'adresse:
Boston Voyager Magazine interview at:
www.bostonvoyager.com/interview/check-mike-krauss-artwork/


Michael Kraus est né sur le rivage industriel de Muskegon, dans le Michigan. Après avoir obtenu son diplôme en beaux-arts de la School of Art Institute de Chicago, il a étudié à la Grand Valley State University. À partir de là, il a acquis diverses expériences auprès de la Chicago Architecture Foundation, de l'Art Institute of Chicago, du Centre Hauenstein pour les études présidentielles, de la Lollypop Farm Humane Society et de la Children's Memorial Foundation. Et chaque endroit où il travaillait, il avait son carnet de croquis avec lui et trouvait le moyen de faire preuve de créativité. En 2014, Kraus est devenu un artiste à temps plein en créant Mike Kraus Art. Depuis lors, il a vendu des centaines de peintures exposées dans presque tous les états et dans des dizaines de pays. Kraus vit actuellement à Rochester, New York, avec sa belle femme et son chien maladroit.

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.



Pour plus d'informations ou une commande personnalisée, s'il vous plaît visitez:
For more information or custom order, please visit:
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Wednesday, May 8, 2019

View from Jagungal Lodge Kosciuszko National Park, Australia

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


View from Jagungal Lodge Kosciuszko National Park, Australia
acrylic paint on canvas board
11" x 14" (27.9 cm x 35.6 cm)
201905040
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/kosciuszko-national-park-australia_print?sku=s6-10982257p4a1v45 or commission your own piece at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike

Everyone has someplace special to them.  For her family, it's Kosciuszko National Park in Australia.  It's where they gather for one time a year.  The days are spent skiing, drinking cocoa, and warming up next to a large fire.  They talk about their lives scattered around the globe.  And remember the good times growing up.  And this humble road in Kosciuszko National Park always says "I'm home."


View from Jagungal Lodge Kosciuszko National Park, Australia (sketch)
color pencil on paper
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201905043
© copyright Mike Kraus

A quick sketch of a possible piece.  We wanted to make sure all the elements were there.  That it fit together appropriately.  And it had it's own unique sense of "place."



View from Jagungal Lodge Kosciuszko National Park, Australia (sketch)
oil pastel on paper
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201905044
© copyright Mike Kraus

 Another quick sketch was completed to emphasize it's painterly colors.  The composition was slight adjusted.  And the colors are darker to boost contrast.  In the end, a combination of many of these features were used for the final piece.  It's a very thoughtful, original, and unique gift from a daughter to a dad.  I'm very grateful to be a part of such a wonderful project.

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

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:
at No comments:

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Last Chance To Get Your Mother's Day Gift

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Time is running out for the best Mother's Day gifts.  Make your selection of the perfect gift to tell your mom how much you love her at: 
She deserves everything. That's why I am happy to help you find the perfect gift to surprise the special mom in your life.

Your Friend,
Michael Kraus

PS - Here are some photos from our vacation to Palma de Mallorca looking for inspiration 
Mallorca I - https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2019/03/spanish-expedition-palma-de-mallorca.html
Barcelona II - https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2019/04/spanish-expedition-barcelona-spain-part.html
Barcelona III - https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2019/04/spanish-expedition-barcelona-spain-part_11.html
Barcelona IV - https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2019/04/spanish-expedition-barcelona-spain-part_18.html


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:
at No comments:

Monday, May 6, 2019

Rows of Lavender In Provence

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Rows of Lavender In Provence
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" in a vintage frame (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm in a vintage frame) 
© 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 look best in a space that is dark red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, black, white, beige or wood



More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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:
at 2 comments:

Friday, May 3, 2019

New York Alley

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


New York Alley
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201905041
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/689606258/new-york-alley-original-acrylic-painting

New York City is uniquely American.  It doesn't matter if you're on 5th Avenue or Hunts Point Avenue, the world is on the street.  The more than 3.2 million foreign-born residents speaking up to 800 different languages are the cause of this vibrancy.  Every store and alley can be a place of wonder and discovery.  For the past 200+ years, it has been a welcoming place for my family.  And now I'm fortunate enough to welcome the liberty-loving idealists of tomorrow.

This painting would look best in a small space that is dark red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, white, black, grey, beige, or wood.

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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:
at No comments:

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Thousand Island Sunset

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Thousand Island Sunset
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201708082
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/689058278/thousand-island-sunset-original-acrylic
The campfire crackles as it cooks our dinner for the evening.  The scent of our food and burning wood fills the air.  The gentle lapping of the St. Lawrence River fills the silence between our conversation.  We watch the sun make its slow decent toward the horizon.  The sky lights up as we prepare our s'mores.

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

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM


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:
at No comments:

Monday, April 29, 2019

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
pen and colored pencil on paper
8" x 10" (23.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201904039
© copyright Mike Kraus

Her family is from São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. A green volcanic island with a lot of exotic plants and marine life. After a recent visit, she decided she wanted to commemorate her family's village of Lombinha da Maia in a painting. It all started with a sketch.


Lombinha da Maia is on a ridge formed by the Ribeira das Faias river.


The Azores are the land of happy cows.  Unlike many cows, they are able to graze year-round in the very temperate climate.  And their joyful exclusively grass-based diet makes the best cheese.  

A rainbow of  Hydrangea flowers thrive on the islands taking over much of the landscape.  


São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
acrylic paint on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
201904040
© copyright Mike Kraus

After many consultations back and forth, the piece is completed.  The vision of the sketch comes alive.  The island memories are recalled.  And I'm very fortunate to be a small part of her family's Azores journey.

And on it's way to the framer!

More About Mike Kraus Art
My NPR Marketplace Business News interview about art as an alternative investment

Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM

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:
at No comments:
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