Mike Kraus Art

@mikekraus

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

11.561 Folgt8.589 Follower1.559 Posts

Bluesky

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir mikekraus.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 1d

🐯 In what ways can noticing beauty inspire us to care for what is rare and fragile? 🐯 🐯 King Louis Amur Leopard 🐯 Find more wild in your space, visit: FRAMED: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4555... PRINT: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4555... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4555...

Horizontal painting of an Amur leopard portrait. The leopard occupies the left third of the composition and faces the viewer with a direct gaze. Its bright blue eyes stand out against golden-yellow fur covered with dark rosette spots. The animal's face and body gradually blend into a light green background rather than ending with a sharp outline.

The background is filled with colorful abstract and surreal botanical forms, including layered shapes, flowing lines, and plant-like outlines in multiple colors. These decorative patterns create a dreamlike environment that surrounds and partially merges with the leopard. The contrast between the realistically painted animal and the imaginative background gives the artwork a contemporary mixed-style appearance.

The subject is the Amur leopard, one of the world's rarest big cats and a critically endangered species. The painting emphasizes the animal's presence through its forward-facing pose and steady eye contact. The green, plant-inspired setting suggests a connection between the leopard and its habitat while the vibrant abstract elements add visual energy and movement.

This artwork combines wildlife portraiture with abstract design, featuring a realistic leopard emerging from a colorful, patterned landscape. The overall mood is calm, reflective, and contemplative, drawing attention to the beauty and vulnerability of this endangered animal.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 4d

🐱 Tell me about the pet who became part of your family’s story? 🐱 🐱 Truffle 🐱 To turn your story into a one of a kind work of art, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1865... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #BrinkerJames #WoodenShield #WeveGotTheDay #music #cat

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 5d

🍁 Awesome Autumn Art Festival 🍁 Discover artists. Make new friends. Celebrate creativity. Join us for 3 days of art, conversation, and community. Explore original artwork, meet creative people, and find something that inspires you. 👉 www.facebook.com/events/10713...

Vertical autumn landscape painting of Pixley Falls in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Brilliant orange and gold fall foliage fills most of the scene, surrounding a bright white waterfall cascading down the center. A small patch of vivid blue sky appears at the top above the treetops. The waterfall flows into a stream with warm light brown water in the foreground. A few green leaves peek into the lower right corner, contrasting with the fiery autumn colors. The composition draws the eye from the blue sky, down through the glowing forest and waterfall, to the river below. The mood is vibrant, peaceful, and celebratory of the beauty of fall.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 8d

😎 What’s it like when a place you love becomes part of who you are? 😎 😎 São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal 😎 FRAMED: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1702... PRINT: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1716... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/7561... #travel #vacation #holiday #trip #happy

Framed print, poster, and digital download of São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal featuring volcanic landscapes, rolling green hills, ocean views, and colorful hydrangea fields. Peaceful cows graze on hillsides beneath a gentle sky. The artwork captures the natural beauty and family heritage of this Portuguese island, conveying a sense of belonging, island calm, and connection to ancestral home.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 11d

💜 In what ways do the places we dream about become the places where we truly belong? 💜 💜 Lavender In Provence 💜 To saunter through calm, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/6658... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #France #French #Sunset #Europe #travel #vacation

Original painting titled Lavender in Provence, a 5x7 inch landscape artwork depicting rows of lavender in a field during sunset or sunrise. Large lavender rows occupy the foreground at the bottom left of the composition and recede toward the top right, creating depth. The immediate foreground is yellow grass. Behind the lavender is a purple field stretching into the distance. A dark green forest line forms the horizon. At the top right, a single tree breaks the skyline. The sky is a warm orange, with wispy white clouds scattered throughout. The painting uses warm sunset colors and impressionistic brushwork to capture the sensory experience of being in a Provence field, evoking feelings of peace, beauty, and belonging. The overall mood is serene and contemplative.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 13d

What if happiness isn't something you find, but something you notice? "Man named Life tapped me. Told me be happy." A lyric from Brinker James' "We've Got the Day" that keeps returning to me. I created the cover artwork for their debut album Wooden Shield. Spotify open.spotify.com/track/70kOSr...

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 14d

You may of just opened a Pandora's Box. I've photographed, photographed, and painted too many pieces of this mutt... haha

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 15d

🎉 The Artist Trading Card (ACEO) Festival is NOW OPEN! 🎉 Discover amazing miniature art, meet talented artists, and maybe even find your next favorite creator. Come explore, say hello, and enjoy the community. We'd love to see you! 👉 www.facebook.com/groups/artis...

Colored pencil drawing of Reid State Park in Maine with a playful twist. The Atlantic Ocean stretches across the center, bordered by a rocky shoreline that forms a small cove. Pine trees rise along the right side, framing the coastline beneath a soft blue sky. Superimposed over the right third of the landscape is the chest up portrait of a brown terrier mixed breed dog. The dog faces slightly left rather than directly at the viewer, with an alert, thoughtful expression that blends naturally into the scene. The unexpected combination of portrait and landscape creates a whimsical, cinematic feeling, as if the dog is quietly watching over the coast or remembering a favorite place.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 18d

💙❤️ Tell me about the place you would escape to if you could walk through this mysterious forest tonight? ❤️💙 💙❤️ Twilight Woods ❤️💙 To enjoy the magic of the forest, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2328... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #trees #nature #surreal

An abstract surreal painting titled “Twilight Woods” featuring a single tree standing in a dreamlike landscape. The upper third of the artwork is filled with blue and teal leaves, creating a cool, glowing canopy. Behind the tree is a vivid red sky that stretches across the middle of the composition, creating a dramatic contrast with the cooler colors above and below. The bottom third features rolling blue and teal hills that echo the colors of the leaves, creating a sense of harmony and depth. The tree’s trunk and branches are painted with metallic silver paint, giving them a reflective, otherworldly appearance as they reach upward into the colorful sky. The overall feeling is mysterious, peaceful, and surreal, like a magical forest seen at twilight.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 20d

Congratulations to Brinker James on announcing their debut album, Wooden Shield! I had the privilege of creating the cover artwork, and I'm excited for everyone to hear what Andrew and Ben have been working on. Congratulations on an incredible milestone!

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 21d

🎴🃏 Love Artist Trading Cards / ACEOs? 🎴🃏 Join us for 3 days of miniature art, friendly conversations, creative fun, and amazing artists from around the world at the Artist Trading Card (ACEO) Festival! Join us at: www.facebook.com/events/13902...

Pile of colorful artist trading cards and ACEOs in various media including paintings, drawings, photographs, and collages. The cards feature diverse artistic styles and positive, uplifting subject matter, representing a global community of miniature artists.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 22d

🤷‍♀️ What if one of history's most recognizable portraits reflected a broader vision of beauty? 🤷‍♀️ Arrangement In Purple, Pink, and Blue no. 444 (Reimaginging America) mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/6098... #ArtistTradingCard #ACEO #ATC ##ArtCard #ArtCards #JamesMcNeillWhistler #WhistlersMother

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 25d

😎 In what ways can standing above Canandaigua Lake change the way you see your own life? 😎 😎 Canandaigua Lake From Bare Hill 😎 Bring the beauty of Canandaigua Lake into your home at: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/6421... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #FingerLakes #FLX

An original landscape painting viewed from Bare Hill overlooking Canandaigua Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region. Golden yellow and fresh green grasses fill the foreground as the hillside slopes gently away from the viewer. A weathered gray rock rests in the lower right, while a lone pine tree stands slightly farther away to the left, overlooking the valley below. Beyond the hill, a dark green forest descends toward the shoreline, opening onto the calm blue waters of Canandaigua Lake. Rolling green hills rise on the opposite shore, creating layers of soft summer color that fade into the distance. Above, a bright blue sky occupies the upper third of the painting, filled with large white puffy clouds that cast subtle shadows across the landscape. The painting uses expressive brushwork and vibrant colors to evoke a peaceful summer afternoon. The viewpoint from Bare Hill, also known as Genundowa, has long held cultural significance for the Haudenosaunee people and offers a sweeping perspective that encourages quiet reflection and appreciation of the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· 27d

💜 Tell me about a place that never really left your heart 💜 💜 Lavender In Provence 💜 If Provence has captured your heart, you can bring it home here: FRAMED mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4538... PRINT mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4538... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4538...

A framed fine art print of a lavender landscape in Provence, France. The foreground is filled with neat rows of vibrant purple lavender stretching across gently rolling hills, with larger rows in the front becoming smaller as they recede into the distance, creating a strong sense of depth. Beyond the lavender is a bright golden yellow field, followed by soft green hills that lead to layers of blue mountains, with lighter blue peaks fading into the horizon. Above, a vivid blue summer sky is filled with large, puffy white clouds that add movement and contrast to the peaceful rural scene. The composition captures the beauty and tranquility of the famous lavender fields of Provence and is available as a framed print, poster, or instant digital download.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jul 15

🌵 What's it like to find beauty where most people never look? 🌵 🌵 Grocery Store Cactus 🌵 If this little cactus made you smile, you can bring it home here: FRAMED mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4537... PRINT mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4537... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4537...

A realistic painting of a Moon Cactus slightly to the left against a textured white background. The cactus grows from dark black soil in a small terra cotta pot. Its bright red round top contrasts with the green cactus beneath it, which is covered in evenly spaced white spines. The pot sits near the bottom of the composition, leaving generous white space around the subject for a clean, minimalist look. The textured background adds subtle depth without distracting from the cactus. The artwork has a calm, contemporary feel with vivid color standing out against a simple white setting.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jul 13

👴 In what ways would you know that reality had decided to take the day off? 👴 👴 Bob no. 626 👴 To hang out with a reliable friend, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2323... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #ArtistTradingCard #ACEO #ATC #ArtistTradingCards #Kawaii

A hand-drawn artist trading card (ACE)) featuring an original cartoon character shown from the chest up in a portrait composition. The character is an older man with a warm, friendly smile and a relaxed expression that gives him an approachable, kind demeanor. He has male pattern baldness with short black hair remaining around the sides and back of his head. His face is softly rounded with expressive features that emphasize his gentle personality. He wears a bright red winter coat that stands out prominently against the cool-toned background. The coat frames his face and adds a cheerful splash of color to the composition. The background is a smooth gradient of blue, darkest immediately around the figure and gradually fading to lighter shades toward the outer edges, creating a subtle spotlight effect that draws attention to the character's face. The illustration is rendered with traditional pen, ink, and colored pencil on Bristol paper. Fine ink lines define the facial features, hair, and clothing, while layered colored pencil adds depth, texture, and soft shading throughout. The overall style is whimsical and comic-inspired rather than realistic, with clean linework and expressive, simplified forms that emphasize charm and personality. The character appears calm, friendly, and quietly amused, as though listening to an unusual story or sharing a gentle joke. The portrait has a welcoming, nostalgic feel and invites viewers to imagine the character's thoughtful, humorous nature. The small format of the artist trading card gives the illustration an intimate, collectible quality, encouraging close viewing to appreciate the subtle textures of the traditional media and the handcrafted details visible throughout the artwork.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jul 10

🍷 Tell me about the Napa Valley memory you'll never forget 🍷 🍷 The Last Light of Napa Valley 🍷 For serenity, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2356... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #BlackStallionWinery #CabernetSauvignon #Vineyard #SanFrancisco #California

An original landscape painting of Black Stallion Estate Winery in Napa Valley, California, at sunset. A wide brown dirt path begins at the bottom center of the painting and leads straight toward an ornate metal gate near the middle distance, drawing the eye into the scene. On the left, rows of vineyard grapevines, catching the warm golden-orange light of the setting sun. On the right, native plants, shrubs, grasses, and a mature tree frame the path with natural textures and shades of green. Beyond the gate, open fields extend toward low mountains in the near distance. A line of tall trees acts as a windbreak between the vineyards and surrounding land. The sky glows with warm yellows, oranges, pinks, with light clouds stretching across the sky, reflecting the last light of day across the landscape. The earthy tones of the Northern California soil contrast with the lush greens of the vineyard and surrounding vegetation, creating a peaceful, inviting atmosphere. The composition uses the central path as a strong leading line, guiding the viewer through the vineyard toward the gate and distant hills, emphasizing the quiet beauty and serenity of Napa Valley at sunset.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jul 8

🏬🏣🏢 What's It Like When Every Accent Tells an American Story? 🏢🏣🏬 🏬🏣🏢 On a New York City Street 🏢🏣🏬 For the spirit of Freedom, please visit: FRAMED: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4372... PRINT: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4372... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1459... #graffiti

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jul 1

🥃 In what ways do you celebrate Freedom and tell your own immigration history? 🥃 🥃 Extra Salty 🥃 For some refreshment, please visit FRAMED mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4386... PRINT mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4386... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1023... @printful.bsky.social

A sophisticated black framed poster displays a colorful painting of a classic margarita in a clear rocks glass. The transparent drink is a bright yellow green with several visible ice cubes that catch the light. A ring of coarse salt coats the rim of the glass, and a fresh green lime slice is perched on the right side. The background is a richly textured reddish orange, creating a warm contrast with the cool drink and making the colors appear especially vibrant. The composition is simple, bold, and centered, with the margarita as the sole subject. Accompanying text shares the story that the margarita is one of Mexico's most beloved contributions to world cuisine, celebrating its sweet, sour, and salty balance and its connection to tequila and Mexican culinary traditions. It also notes that during Prohibition many Americans illegally crossed into Mexico to enjoy and smuggle alcohol, highlighting a lesser known chapter of history before concluding that the margarita remains one of the most popular cocktails in the United States and continues to symbolize friendship, celebration, and a taste of Mexican hospitality.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 29

🌞 What If One Breath Could Turn You Into the Sun? 🌞 🌞 Moment She Became the Sun no. 625 🌞 To have that glowing feeling, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2360... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #ACEO #ArtistTradingCard #ATC #ArtCard #portrait #joy #empowerment

A portrait painting of an African American woman shown from the shoulders up against a radiant abstract background. Her head is tilted slightly upward and to the right, her eyes are bright and wide, and she wears a broad, genuine smile that conveys joy and peaceful contentment. Warm golden light appears to radiate outward from her face and shoulders, transitioning from bright yellow near the center to rich oranges, reds, and deep maroon around the edges of the composition. Soft, expressive lines blend the glowing colors together, creating the impression that light is emanating from within her rather than shining onto her. Her dark, curly hair frames her face, and the warm tones highlight her features without sharp outlines. The simple background contains no objects or scenery, allowing the luminous color and her joyful expression to become the focus of the painting. The overall feeling is uplifting, hopeful, and full of warmth, suggesting a quiet moment of inner peace, confidence, and renewal.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 26

🍁 Tell me about a place in nature that still feels safe whenever life becomes overwhelming. 🍁 🍁 Autumn Birch 🍁 For a peaceful moment, please visit mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/5392... buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #Birch #Apsen #PeacefulArt #Autumn #Fall #Landscape #Nature

An abstracted painting viewed from the base of a birch tree looking upward into its canopy during autumn. The white trunk, marked with dark natural birch patterns, rises from the bottom center of the image and branches outward toward the edges. The branches and leaves create a gentle swirling motion, rotating clockwise around the center of the composition. Most of the leaves are vibrant shades of orange, with touches of soft pink and golden yellow woven throughout, suggesting the changing colors of fall. Between the branches, a bright blue sky shows through, accented by delicate wisps of white clouds. Flowing brushstrokes and curved forms emphasize movement, giving the impression that the leaves are dancing in a light breeze while the viewer gazes upward from beneath the tree. The overall mood is peaceful, uplifting, and immersive, celebrating the beauty and energy of an autumn day.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 24

🩷🦉💚 What's it like to lock eyes with a wild creature and feel as though it recognizes something in you? 🩷🦉💚 🩷🦉💚 Pink and Green Chevron Owl 🩷🦉💚 FRAMED: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4526... PRINT: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4526... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2677... #bird

A portrait of a squawking great horned owl facing slightly to the left. The owl has intense, bright yellow eyes and an open beak as if calling out. Its left wing extends forward and slightly outward toward the viewer, creating a sense of movement and closeness. The owl's mottled brown, tan, and cream feathers contrast sharply with the background, which consists of broad, loosely rendered chevrons in vivid pink and bright green. The bold colors and direct gaze give the image an energetic, striking, and slightly magical feel.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 23

🩷 I Was Interviewed by Bold Journey About Art, Resilience, and Figuring Life Out as I Go 🩷 Read here: boldjourney.com/meet-mike-kr... #BoldJourney #MikeKrausArt #TheWayToBeauty #Art #ArtistInterview #CreativeJourney #ContemporaryArt #ArtistLife #Resilience #Creativity #Inspiration #Painting

Screenshot of an online interview titled "Meet Mike Kraus" published by Bold Journey Magazine on June 23, 2026. The article features several photos of artist Mike Kraus, including a portrait of him seated in his studio surrounded by colorful landscape paintings, a gallery photo of him standing with artwork behind him, and personal snapshots with family and childhood drawings. In the interview, Mike discusses how art has helped him process difficult experiences since childhood, including repeatedly drawing the Challenger space shuttle disaster as a way to understand it. He describes art as a form of therapy, reflection, and problem-solving. He also talks about resilience, the importance of supportive relationships, meditation, and creating beauty and moments of contemplation through his paintings. The article highlights his philosophy that beauty is essential to a meaningful life and that everyone is still learning and figuring things out as they go.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 22

🧠 June is Dementia Awareness Month 🧠 More than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. It affects memory, language, personality, and behavior. 🧠 Having Dementia 🧠 please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/6500... or mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct...

A miniature ACEO artist trading card portrait rendered in ink and colord pencils. The subject is an elderly man shown with drooping aged skin vacant eyes, thin hair, unusual mouth, and lined with deep creases across the forehead, around the eyes, and along the jaw. His expression is vacant and unfocused, with heavy-lidded eyes that suggest fatigue or disconnection. His hair is sparse and disheveled, sitting unevenly atop his head in a way that appears unstable and wind-affected.
The background is a deep, saturated red that radiates outward from behind the subject's head, gradually softening and lightening toward the edges of the card, creating an effect that feels simultaneously like a spotlight and a warning. The contrast between the vivid red and the pallor of the subject's skin is stark and unsettling.
The overall composition evokes themes of cognitive vulnerability and the physical and emotional toll of neurological decline. The unflinching detail of the face invites the viewer to look past surface appearances and consider what lies beneath, the confusion, the fragility, and the humanity that persists even as the mind struggles to hold itself together.
Created in observance of Dementia Awareness Month. Part of the ongoing series "Having Dementia," exploring the visible and invisible signs of cognitive decline with honesty and compassion.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 19

🩷 What experiences and beliefs cause you to see it this way? 🩷 🩷 Twilight Woods 🩷 To enjoy the magic of the forest, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2575... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #ForestPainting #Tree #Trees #Forest #Woods #EnchantedForest #Fantasy

An 8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) acrylic landscape painting of a dreamlike twilight forest. The bottom third of the composition features rolling pink hills with touches of red and blue highlights. In the center, a valley contains a narrow path that recedes into the distance and disappears over a hill, drawing the eye deeper into the scene. Black tree trunks rise from the landscape and are accented with metallic silver highlights that catch the light. The top third of the painting is filled with dense pink foliage, also highlighted with red and blue tones. Behind the trees, a blue sky occupies the middle portion of the painting and gradually fades to white toward the side edges. The combination of pink, blue, black, and metallic silver creates a calming, mysterious, and dreamlike woodland atmosphere.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 17

💜 What's it like to remember a place so vividly it feels like you're there again? 💜 💜 Fields of Lavender 💜 For a relaxing moment, please visit: FRAMED mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1716... PRINT mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1702... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/7680... #provence

Serene landscape painting featuring rows of purple lavender in the foreground, a golden field and green forest beyond, and hazy blue mountains under a bright blue sky with soft white clouds. The colors create a calming, summery feeling.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 15

🐦 Are You Starting Another Week Already Feeling Behind? 🐦 🐦 American Robin no. 623 🐦 For an early riser, please visit: mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/2100... or buy direct at: mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #bird #ArtistTradingCard #ACEO #ATC #ArtCard #summer #gift #green #animal #avian

Colored-pencil drawing of an American Robin against a soft green background. The bird faces right, showing its rusty orange breast, gray back, and yellow beak. Fine pencil strokes create detailed feather textures, with subtle shading around the eye and wings. The smooth green backdrop provides contrast that makes the robin stand out. The overall effect is naturalistic and calm, focusing attention on the bird’s posture, coloring, and feather detail.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 12

🌊 How do you find calm before the storm? 🌊 🌊 When the Gales of November Come Early On Lake Superior 🌊 To weather the storm ahead, please visit mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/5179... or buy direct at mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct... #LakeSuperior #BadRiver #Mashkiiziibii #Chippewa #indigenous

A landscape painting of Lake Superior viewed from the sandy shoreline of the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin. The scene looks northwest along the curving beach as it stretches into the distance. Gentle waves roll toward shore and break in white foam along the water's edge. The lake is painted in cool blues and greens, reflecting the changing weather. Farther out into the water, dark storm clouds gather over the horizon, creating a dramatic contrast with the lighter sky and water in the foreground. The approaching storm suggests increasing wind and rougher conditions ahead, while the nearby waves remain relatively calm. The composition emphasizes the vast scale of Lake Superior, the sweep of the shoreline, and the quiet tension between the peaceful beach and the advancing gale. Landscape and seascape painting by Mike Kraus.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 10

🌻 Is This When You Know Your Finger Lakes Vacation Has Officially Started? 🌻 🌻 Liz's Sunflower On Canandaigua Lake 🌻 For a relaxing moment, please visit: FRAMED mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1786... PRINT mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1786... DIGITAL DOWNLOAD mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/7591...

Landscape painting of a summer day at Canandaigua Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region. Yellow and orange sunflowers fill the foreground, their bright colors drawing the eye across the field toward a red barn set back on the left side of the scene. A line of green trees creates a natural boundary between the field and the middle ground. The eye then wanders through openings in the trees to the calm blue waters of Canandaigua Lake, with rolling hills stretching beyond. Above, a bright blue sky is dotted with soft white clouds. The composition invites the viewer to travel from the flowers to the barn and then out across the open lake view. The overall feeling is joyful, peaceful, and reminiscent of a relaxing summer vacation by the water.

Mike Kraus Art@mikekraus· Jun 9

"This looks like Bare Hill with no houses, barns, or paved roads. Before Clinton Sullivan burned the over 40 Haudenosaunee villages in the Finger Lakes. It looks so peaceful. I'm grateful my great, great, great grandmother as a little girl escaped." 💜 From Bare HIll 💜 roco6x6.org/gallery/2026...