Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty
I woke up this morning feeling extra prickly in the nicest way, like tiny hugs all over my skin, and I decided that meant adventure. The sun felt warm and buttery as it soaked into me, and I could almost taste the light, sweet and golden, like a sip of happiness. A human wandered by looking a little droopy, so I waved both my arms and said hello in my brightest voice. I told them about my secret, a cheerful little routine I call Desert Bathing, where you simply pause, smile wide, and imagine sunshine filling you from your toes to your nose. I swear I could hear their sigh soften into something lighter, like a breeze turning friendly.
They tried it right there, eyes closed, shoulders relaxing, and I could feel the air shift around us, calm and giggly at the same time. Desert Bathing is very easy, I explained, and it works fast because your heart already knows how to feel good, it just needs a tiny nudge. The human laughed, and oh my cactus, that sound was the best music I had ever heard, warm and bouncy like pebbles dancing. I may be a simple cactus with a big smile, but I know this for sure, a small sweet action can turn a tangled day into a soft and sunny one, and that is a benefit worth sharing with everyone who wanders close enough to say hello.
Would you like to try a Desert Bathing with me right now?
🌵 Fifi the Cactus #614 🌵
pen and colored pencils on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202604018
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
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🇺🇸 For MayDay 2026, let’s celebrate Freedom in the most meaningful way we can by creating, sharing, and showing up for one another. Whether you are an artist, a maker, a performer, a vendor, or someone who simply loves to support creativity, you are an essential part of the experience. Bring your colors, your sounds, your ideas, and your energy, and step into a space where inspiration is shared and every contribution matters. Together we can fill the day with connection, creativity, and a spirit that reminds us how powerful it is to express, support, and lift each other up. 🇺🇸
🇺🇸 What will you bring to life? 🇺🇸
🌙 You're invited to a First Friday of color, energy, and connection 🌙
Join us May 1st from 6pm to 9pm at Rochester Fine Art Market for an evening featuring the vibrant and expressive work of Mike Kraus. His paintings are full of bold color, movement, and organic forms that are meant to be felt as much as seen. This is your chance to experience the work up close, meet the artist, and connect with a welcoming community of art lovers. Whether you are a longtime collector or just curious, it is an easy and inspiring way to step into something new.
What might you discover when you give yourself the space to look a little closer?
I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
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