Friday, January 10, 2020

Our New York City

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Our New York City
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
201912114
© copyright Mike Kraus
For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-artwork-by

It's not everyday that someone special has their Bat Mitzvah.  They had a vision of the perfect gift for the young art lover.  After researching many, many artists, they found a few pieces of my work that was similar to their vision of the perfect gift.  With a phone call and inspiration, a few sketches were created (below).  We refined the idea by moving the subject near their Upper West Side neighborhood.  Some more sky and depth was added with the buildings.  A bit of greenery and more details of symbolic importance.  Once the vision was sketched, I created the painting.  I regularly updated them on my progress and we made minor changes to buildings, graffiti, and other features along the way.  We met our deadline and the finished piece arrived quickly in NYC with some time to spare.  This piece is full of love.  Every square inch and detail is about affection and friendship.  It was a very special project and I'm so grateful to have been included in its creation.











Whitman Works
gallery is closing...

But, you won't find better deals on original. Get 25% OFF everything in the gallery. Also, January 18th is a special open house sale with more in-house incentives and giveaways. Come and join us as we celebrate 3+ years of working with area artists.

More information at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2936079256454188/


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, January 8, 2020

The Burrito

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

The Burrito #348
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202001001
© copyright Mike Kraus

Around 10,000 B.C., a corn tortilla food wrap became a common dinner in Mesoamerica.  For thousands of years and countless generations, the recipe was passed on and evolved.  The Pueblo Native American of southwestern United States and northern Mexico ate it as a staple meal.  Cowboys roaming California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Guanajuato found it to be an easy meal to eat while rounding up cattle.  There's a couple legends where the name "burrito" came from.  One says it's because a street vendor in Ciudad Juárez named Juan Méndez sold the meal while riding a donkey.  Another claims it came from a term of endearment used by a man selling lunches to poor school children.  Today, the burrito is served in an infinite amount of restaurants in a myriad of varieties.  Yet another example of how food shows we have more in common than we have in differences. 

Alrededor de 10.000 aC, una envoltura de tortilla de maíz se convirtió en una cena común en Mesoamérica. Durante miles de años e innumerables generaciones, la receta se transmitió y evolucionó. El pueblo nativo americano del suroeste de los Estados Unidos y el norte de México lo comió como una comida básica. Los vaqueros que vagaban por California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Nuevo México, Colorado, Texas y Guanajuato consideraron que era una comida fácil de comer mientras redondeaban el ganado. Hay un par de leyendas de donde vino el nombre "burrito". Uno dice que es porque un vendedor ambulante en Ciudad Juárez llamado Juan Méndez vendió la comida mientras montaba un burro. Otro afirma que proviene de un término de cariño usado por un hombre que vende almuerzos a niños de escuelas pobres. Hoy en día, el burrito se sirve en una cantidad infinita de restaurantes en una gran variedad de variedades. Otro ejemplo más de cómo la comida muestra que tenemos más en común que diferencias.



Whitman Works
gallery is closing...

But, you won't find better deals on original. Get 25% OFF everything in the gallery. Also, January 18th is a special open house sale with more in-house incentives and giveaways. Come and join us as we celebrate 3+ years of working with area artists.

More information at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2936079256454188/



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.

at No comments:

Monday, January 6, 2020

Relaxing on Canandaigua Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Relaxing on Canandaigua Lake
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911109
© copyright Mike Kraus

As I walk to the dock, a cool brisk breeze comes off the calm waters of Canandaigua Lake.  The steam rises from my cocoa thermos mug as I open it for every sip.  My every step is the crunching of dried autumn leaves.  We're very fortunate and grateful to live in a place like this.  And the Adirondack chairs are lined up to see the finale of this autumn sunset.

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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview 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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Friday, January 3, 2020

Aunt's Texas House

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Aunt's Texas House
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201911104
© copyright Michael Kraus

Finding the perfect gift is always difficult.  But what do you get someone who's moving to a new home?  Well, she had a great idea for her family, which was also appropriate since she's an architect.  Her vision was to create paintings of their homes that were true to life; but dreamlike.  To capture their essence and memories.  If it's "the thought that counts" in gift giving, she won Christmas this year.  And, I'm honored to have been a small part of it.


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

Boston Voyager Magazine interview 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.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Sunflowers In Provence France


HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that you've had a memorable 2019.  It's been another incredible year full of shows, collaborations, and painting.  I'm very fortunate to have you in my life.  And I look forward to more excitement in 2020.  THANKS AGAIN!

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

A sad start to 2020 with the announcement that Whitman Works Gallery will be closing it's doors.  Derek and Carol have been great gallerists, supporters, and friends over the past few years.  While it's the end of this part of the journey, I'm looking forward to the start of their next adventure.

All pieces 25% OFF at Whitman Works Gallery until everything is gone and the doors are closed.  You won't find better prices on original art than this.  To see available pieces, please visit:

Whitman Works Gallery1826 Penfield Road
Penfield, New York
(585) 420-8654
https://www.whitmanworks.com

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.

at No comments:

Monday, December 30, 2019

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201912116
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://society6.com/product/twilight-woods-by-mike-kraus-blue-purple-trees-forest-woods-nature-gifts-christmas-hanukkah-eid_print?sku=s6-11937360p4a1v45

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 look best in a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, light purple, black, white, grey, 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:

Friday, December 27, 2019

Taco 'Bout Awesome

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Taco 'Bout Awesome #347
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
201912119
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/625605604/taco-bout-awesome-347-artist-trading

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 the "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 States 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.

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:
at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

If you like this, you might like...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...