Friday, July 30, 2021

Lavender Farm

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Lavender Farm
acrylic paint on canvas
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)
2021070063
© 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 light red, yellow, orange, dark green, blue, dark 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 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.

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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Horse With No Name

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Horse With No Name #443
colored pencils and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202107062
© 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.


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.

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Monday, July 26, 2021

Rainbow Trout

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Rainbow Trout #442
ink and gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202107061

The light splash of water breaks the silence as I load the gear before sunrise at the dock.  The boat sputtering toward the channel as I make my way to the big lake.  Setting up the equipment, the sun is glowing orange as it begins to appear.  I eat my doughnut watching it rise and waiting to snag a rainbow trout.  The boat rocking in the gentle breeze.


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.

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Friday, July 23, 2021

Night Watch

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Night Watch
acrylic painting on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202107058
© copyright Mike Kraus

An owl hoots in the dim moonlight of the forest.  A slight breeze carries the sweet scent of trees in full bloom through the darkness.  The nocturnal birch guards the woods while it slumbers.  Watching each leaf tumble and every mouse burrow.  It remains still in the face of danger and will always see what is happening.

This painting would look best in a small-to-medium space that is dark red, orange, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, 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.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The Fire

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


The Fire #441
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202107060

A late evening at the fire pit is acknowledging the past, dreaming of my future self, and appreciating the moment now.  Enjoying a cold drink and a sweet marshmallow on a s'more.  We share stories of former stupid acts and false beliefs to entertain and enlighten.  Listening to each other and the cracks and pops of the flames.  This reflection is how we prepare to be better tomorrow.


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.

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Monday, July 19, 2021

Morning Cup of Coffee

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Morning Cup of Coffee #440
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202107059

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 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.

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Friday, July 16, 2021

Zoe's Zebra

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Zoe's Zebra
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202106055
© copyright Mike Kraus

What if your body was unable to fight off viruses and disease?  The white blood cells we all take for granted just disappeared.  This is Zoe's reality.  Right after her 1st birthday, she had a fever of 105°F (40.6°C) and was experiencing seizures.  After several weeks in the hospital and countless blood test, baby Zoe was diagnosed with severe chronic neutropenia, which is incurable.

Zoe is a miracle.  Along with piles of medicine, she visits the U of M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital very regularly for biopsies and infusions.  On the other side of the state, her feeding tube and GI tract issues are treated at the Devos Children's Hospital.  But Zoe is a strong kid.  And she's a wild child!

When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, Zoe is looking forward to fulfilling her Make-A-Wish visit to Disney World that was postponed in June 2020.  If you'd like to learn more about Zoe and her journey and adventures, follow Team Zoe on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/499781363779983/

This piece would look best in a space that is red, yellow, orange, 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.

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