Friday, April 5, 2024

Total Solar Eclipse

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Total Solar Eclipse
acrylic paint on canvas board
202404008
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/248928242

A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse (also Great American Total Solar Eclipse and Great American Eclipse) by some of the media. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs only in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. (from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024)

For more information, please visit: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/


Total Solar Eclipse
acrylic paint on canvas board
202404009
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1487002319


Total Solar Eclipse
acrylic paint on canvas board
202404010
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/213712985



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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🔴⚪🔵 Is Harming Americans Because of Faith Wrong? 🔴⚪🔵

 
490W near Mount Read Boulevard in Rochester NY

Is harming Americans because of faith wrong?  Should kids be afraid because of the family they were born into?  What about vandalizing places of worship?  Think of what our community will be like in 5 years.  Do we still have freedom of religion?

Our neighborhood is where we work, live, and play.  And how we spend that time is important because that is who we really are.  Do we really act kind, fair, and honest or are they just meaningless values?  What did we do today to express our moral beliefs?

Together, we can enjoy each other's company and be happy.  We can care for our friends, family, and neighbors.  And that kindness is reciprocated in many countless ways.  So, let's do something nice for someone today.  Because, what we do is who we are.

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Friday, March 22, 2024

Where To Start a Creative Art Business

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


I didn't know how to start an art business.  Or even where to begin.  At my "real jobs," I did have experience with creating and implementing programs.  So, I began with a very simple business plan that was only a few pages long.  Almost every assumption, plan and idea didn't end up working except for one tiny detail.  It said, "Create as much as possible."

Seems obvious, right?  But, this is where I see many of my colleagues fail.  Why do we need to keep making new pieces?  Because we can only sell what is available to purchase.  And when I worked a very brief stint at a very successful retailer, I learned they only sell 10% of their inventory.  This means, if you want to earn $10,000, you should plan to have $100,000 worth of art to sell.  Whis means we need to know how many pieces we can make in a week, month, and year.  This is where business begins.

It can seem daunting, but we all have to start somewhere.  My business started with $50 of supplies, 10 paintings, and a very inaccurate business plan.  It was a humble start full of experimentation, trial-and-error, mistakes, surprise victories, and so much more.  I was constantly learning.  I'm still learning.  But, the biggest lesson for me is still "create as much as possible."

🌞😎🌳 BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL 🌳😎🌞
Who's ready for Spring?  We can open our windows and redecorate our homes.  And enjoy the happiness of the warm sun


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.
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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Tell Me, What Do You See?

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


I'm nearly blind.  But, there's nothing wrong with my eyes.  Sometimes, I just don't see things.  There's no attempt to look.  When I wake up, it can be pitch black and I can perform countless mundane tasks to prepare for the day without seeing anything.  And when the sun rises and I flip the switches, it's likely my lazy blindness will continue through the day.  That needs to change.  

What do you see?  Take a moment to close you eyes and clear your mind.  Now, really look at the painting; the subject, colors, shapes, etc.  How does this image make you feel?  Do you think I saw and felt the same things you do when I created the painting? Is this a literal subject or is there a metaphor?  It was 2017 when it was created, does it mean something different now?  Why?

I don't want to be blind by choice.  It's a cold and dark mindset.  We need to break our visual routine to see the world as it is.  And what it could be.  So let's get away from the screens for a moment and look as something; anything.  What is it?  Who made it and why?  Where was it created and how did it end up here?  How old is it and would its maker(s) think of it differently now?  Do you see things a bit differently now?


Vision Quest XXXIX, 
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
201710098
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

🌞😎🌳 BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL 🌳😎🌞
Who's ready for Spring?  We can open our windows and redecorate our homes.  And enjoy the happiness of the warm sun


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.

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Monday, March 18, 2024

🌞😎🌳 You're Invited To the BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL! 🌳😎🌞

  Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


You're Invited to the
🌞😎🌳 BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL! 🌳😎🌞

The sunlight pierces the grey winter clouds as they give way to the warmth of Spring.  All that was lifeless is reborn as green buds and flower blooms begin to appear.  And we feel happiness with the fresh air and singing birds.

Spring is the time to refresh your home or office. To make a list of all the small projects that need attention. Or to contact a designer to completely update your space. Maybe you're selling your home and you need something unique to stand out. Converting a space to show who you really are is inspiring.

Let's have fun as we emerge from our hibernation.  To find hope in a new season.  And to share in each other's happiness.

Join us at the:
🌞😎🌳 BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL! 🌳😎🌞

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.
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Friday, March 15, 2024

18 Years Ago...

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


It was 18 years ago that I went on my first date with Megan.  We met working at the Chicago Architecture Center (https://www.architecture.org/) where she planned events and I was in the tour department.  We had a love of weird bad movies from the start.  Blockbuster didn't have Robocop (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/), so we rented Innerspace (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093260/) instead.  And for dinner, we had takeout Chicken Katsu from Aloha Eats (https://www.alohaeats.com/).  Little did we know that it was a start of a wonderful adventure.  I'm very lucky.

And after 18 years with me, Megan has earned a homemade crab cake dinner...

Mike Kraus


🌞😎🌳 BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL 🌳😎🌞
Who's ready for Spring?  We can open our windows and redecorate our homes.  And enjoy the happiness of the warm sun


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.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Spring Sunlight In the Studio

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


It's been a while since the sunlight has poured into the studio like this.  And it may be time for a little Spring cleaning...

🌞😎🌳 BRING SPRING ART FESTIVAL 🌳😎🌞
Who's ready for Spring?  We can open our windows and redecorate our homes.  And enjoy the happiness of the warm sun


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.
at No comments:
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