Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunflowers and Lavender In Provence France
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
201907059
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/706430694

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.

Let's make 2024 a beautiful year!  What is it that you want to stay away from?

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

Monday, January 8, 2024

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) 
201912122
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/224142863

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.

Let's make 2024 a beautiful year!  Are you a part of a community and who are they really?

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


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.

Friday, January 5, 2024

Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest
acrylic paint and ink on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201903024
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/621204953

I count my breaths as I enter the woods.  It calms my thoughts and helps me to relax.  The chaos and cravings of the world evaporate with every step.  If you're fortunate enough to find the mysterious pass, then you enter into paradise.  This is the magic of the forest.

Lets's make 2024 a beautiful year.  Does something cause you to worry?  What can we do about it?

This painting would look best in a small space that is dark red, yellow, 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.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods #332
gouache paint on bristol paper
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
201901009
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/236709241


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.

Monday, January 1, 2024

🍾🥂 Let's Make 2024 a Beautiful Year! 🥂🍾

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Let's Make 2024 a Beautiful Year!

Together, we will reject ugliness. 
To address our anxieties and fulfill our needs.  To be the best versions of ourselves.  To face what is hidden.

What is ugly to you?  Does something cause you to worry?  Are you a part of a community and who are they really?  What do you stay away from?  And who do you want to be by 2025?


Your friend, 
Mike Kraus

MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

📻 Listen to my interview on NPR's Marketplace at 📻: https://www.marketplace.org/2023/12/19/alternative-investments-went-on-a-wild-ride-during-the-pandemic/


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, December 29, 2023

In the Artist's Studio

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


In the Artist's Studio #566
pen, ink, and color pencil on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202312084
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/248928242


ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:

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.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Artist Mug

  Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Artist Mug #565
pen, ink, and color pencil on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202312083
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/234445844

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 will keep me awake during the day.  Start off answering emails, paperwork, and requests.  Get a refill.  Then focus on my real work through the afternoon.  Last refill.  Finish off the day talking with a client about our exciting project.  

What's in your mug?  Do you use a lot of sugar and cream or nothing at all?  Are you like me and add a little bit of "Grandpa's Cough Syrup" to kick off the weekend?  Maybe you have another daily ritual?

ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:
& Interview 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:

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