Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint of canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201705049
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/244169466/twilight-woods-original-acrylic-painting

Where this path will end is a mystery.  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.

Is there a place you go to relax?  Is it wide-open or cozy?  What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there?  Is it a place where you can be by yourself?  What about it makes you feel good?

This painting would great in a space that is red, orange, yellow, dark 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 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, March 13, 2023

Aurora Borealis Over the Rocky Mountains

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Aurora Borealis Over the Rocky Mountains
acrylic paint of canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201804055
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
Our car whined climbing the steep roads of the Rocky Mountains and the headlights only seemed to  illuminate the black void of the sky.  Twists and turns around every rock.  Just inches from the road were cliffs with no bottom.  As we came out of a tunnel, the sky flashed and danced with vibrant colors and unusual shapes.  We pulled off the desolate road and just watched the sky for hours.

This piece would look best in a space that is dark red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, beige, 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:



Friday, March 10, 2023

Rhône River at Avignon

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Rhône River at Avignon
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201803041
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

On the left bank of the Rhône River nestles the city of Avignon.  A slight bend in the river that has been a destination for the Greeks, Romans, Popes, and countless others.  And the Pont d'Avignon (the Pont Saint-Bénézet) is the last of many bridges trying to reach the other side.  Previous attempts have been destroyed in war, ruined by floods, or doomed to failure by poor engineering.  But what it lacks in function, it excels in adding to the beauty of a marvelous city.   

This painting would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, green, dark 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 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:


Wednesday, March 8, 2023

On the Green of St. Andrews Golf Course

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


On the Green of St. Andrews Golf Course
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201808105
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

The final hole on the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf Course; "Cathedral of Golf."  In 1764, William St. Clair of Rosslyn decided to alter the course to have the standard 18-holes we have today.  And it has hosted 29 Open Championships since 1873.  That sense of history is felt with every footstep as I carry my golf bag down each fairway and over ancient bridges.  And I have a lot of time to ponder the days of yore when I'm in the "road bunker..."

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

Please listen to my Graphic Ear Interview on WAYO 104.3 FM​ Rochester at:
https://www.mixcloud.com/graphic-ear/070518-graphic-ear-with-mike-kraus/


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, March 6, 2023

☀😎🌳 How Are You Preparing For Spring? 🌳😎☀

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Imagine your beautiful home


Spring is almost here!  The perfect time to plan sprucing up your home.  Do you have lots of small projects or does a room need to be completely refreshed?  Maybe you've moved into a new place and need to make it your own.  Or you've grown and changed over the years and it's time for your walls to reflect who you are.  Whatever the reason, it is exciting.

What puts you in a good mood?  Is it something you're grateful for?  Maybe a memory of someone you're close to?  Is there a place that is special to you?  What are your values and how are they reflected in your space?  Let's find a way to truly make it your home.

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com


PS - Looking for tips to make your space more charming Visit: 

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/how-to-use-original-artwork-in-your.html



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, March 3, 2023

All-Seeing Eye

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


All-Seeing Eye
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201806083
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/608382508/all-seeing-eye-original-acrylic-painting

The All-Seeing Eye knows the truth.  It sees though phony arguments and false witnesses.  It observes injustice caused by a cruel heart.  When words have no meaning, actions reveal one's desires.  Be kind or it will ensure your failure.

This painting would look best in a small space that is dark red, yellow, light orange, green, blue, white, black, 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 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:

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Twilight Woods #289
gouache paint on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
201803052
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
Where this path will end is a mystery.  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.

Is there a place you go to relax?  Is it wide-open or cozy?  What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there?  Is it a place where you can be by yourself?  What about it makes you feel good?


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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