Monday, April 27, 2020

Keep Your Distance

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Keep Your Distance #364
pen and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202004026
© copyright Mike Kraus

Social Distancing doesn't mean we can't have fun.  Grab your hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and wine and join your friends for a Netflix watch party (https://www.netflixparty.com/).  You're saving lives by cancelling events you didn't want to attend anyway.  Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet (2 meters) away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

Other examples of social distancing that allow you to avoid larger crowds or crowded spaces are:
1) Working from home instead of at the office
2) Closing schools or switching to online classes
3) Visiting loved ones by electronic devices instead of in person
4) Cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings


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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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, April 24, 2020

Lavender In Provence

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Lavender In Provence
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202004025
© copyright Mike Kraus

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.

This painting would great in a small space that is dark red, yellow, green, 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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Yoga Is For Posers

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Yoga Is For Posers #363
pen and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202004024
© copyright Mike Kraus
Take the following steps to cope with a Coronavirus:
Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 
Connect with others– Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
Take breaks– Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.
Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.
Avoid too much exposure to news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories (including TV and social media). It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
Seek help when needed– If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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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Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Tips For Working At Home: Setting Office Hours


Setting Office Hours


Coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought chaos to our lives.  You, your significant other, children, roommates, or other family are home all...  day...  long...  together...  When I started working from home 6+ years ago, I made a lot of mistakes.  And, I understand we all have different jobs, living situations, and other circumstances.  Many of my friends and family have struggled with their temporary transition to working from home.  So, I'm sharing my experience to help you find success.  Here are my suggestions.


1) Set Working Hours - Too many people believe working from home isn't really work.  Family assume that you'll be free to babysit.  Friends just expect you're available for day-drinking.  So, it is up to you to establish your time to work.  From 9am-5pm, they'll have to get use to hearing "sorry, I can't until after work..."


2) What Hours To Choose? - What do you need to do every day?  What tasks work well?  What do you do before work, for the kids, during the day?  When do you exercise?  How do you get healthy meals?  When do you tend to your home?  Don't remember?  Make a list in a notebook for a week.

Working from home makes every day the same.  Time, dates, and hours evaporate without set markers.  These markers are regular activities.  Are you a morning person or night owl?  Schedule the activities that take the most time and energy at that time of day.


For example, I start the day with mundane routine activities of checking emails and administrative tasks.  Late morning, I start painting.  I'll take my lunch and may use some of that time for chores around the house.  I paint through the afternoon.  I use the last 45 minutes of the day for emails, social media, and any "cleaning up" of assignments.  After 5pm, it's my personal time with my wife and dog.


3) Stick With Them - Coronavirus has made this extremely difficult because we don't know the duration of our temporary working from home situation.  And, it usually takes 2 months to establish a habit that sticks.  So, this needs LOTS of discipline.  Set a routine.  Adjust what doesn't work and expand what does.  Write it down.  Following the schedule will help you, your boss, clients, family, and friends know what to expect.


4) Actually Work - Seems obvious, but there's so many distractions.  The lawn needs mowing.  The kids are screaming.  The laundry is piling up, etc., etc., etc...  Once 9am hits, you need to remove the distractions.  I highly encourage using a space where you can close the door.  And when the door is closed, you are not to be interrupted.


5) Teaching School - Obviously, this is a new and strange situation for everyone.  But, what you need to be successful at work has a lot of similarities to what your kids need to be flourishing at school.
a) Set time aside for school and establish routine
b) Have breaks and recess 
c) Set up a work space
d) Make sure they have a computer, books, pencils, paper and other necessary tools.  
e) Set boundaries and expectations for assignments and interactions with friends and family
f) Plan time for social activities over Zoom or other platforms
g) Allow them to be kids when homework is done
h) Be flexible and allow it to be fun. 



6) Splitting Responsibilities - This is too much for you to handle by yourself.  Admit it and don't be shy to ask for help.  Let your boss know that you may need some time to teach your kid math in the mornings.  Ask your spouse to pick up groceries during the week.  Divide up the chores of cooking, cleaning, lawn work with everyone in the household.  Maybe it's a solid list where you will always do the laundry every day.  Maybe it's a rotating list where you have a new responsibility every week.  Whatever works for you as look as everyone participates.


7) Taking Breaks - You need to plan "me time" because your job suddenly took over your home.  It's always there nagging you to just finish one more project.  Begging you to work just a couple more hours.  Making you compromise your nights and weekends with family.  


Your boss and clients need to know when they can reach you. More importantly, they need to know when you're unavailable. This is necessary to keep your work life and home life separate. If a client calls after hours, let it go to voicemail. If no one is going to die, it's not an emergency.  Again, I suggest having an office with a door. This time so your job doesn't interrupt your family.


What has really helped in my house is making nights and weekends "special."  For example, maybe Monday is "pizza night" and Thursday is "board game night."  On Saturdays, my wife and I like to watch "B" movies with an adult beverage.  I'll wear my driving cap only on weekends.  Give yourself something to look forward to during the day and week.  Just because you're home, doesn't mean you can't have fun.
Michael 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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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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Monday, April 20, 2020

Back Away From the Camera, Grandma

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Back Away From the Camera, Grandma #362
pen and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202004022
© copyright Mike Kraus
Take the following steps to cope with a Coronavirus:
Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 
Connect with others– Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
Take breaks– Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.
Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.
Avoid too much exposure to news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories (including TV, radio, social media, etc). It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
Seek help when needed– If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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, April 17, 2020

Sleeping Fox

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Sleeping Fox #361
pen and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202004021
© copyright Mike Kraus
Take the following steps to cope with a Coronavirus:
Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 
Connect with others– Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
Take breaks– Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.
Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities.
Avoid too much exposure to news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
Seek help when needed– If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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:

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Yoga Is For Posers

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Yoga Is For Posers #360
pen and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202004020
© copyright Mike Kraus
Take the following steps to cope with a Coronavirus:
Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 
Connect with others– Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
Take breaks– Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.
Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information.
Avoid too much exposure to news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.
Seek help when needed– If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor, or doctor, or contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

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 Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial 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 hundreds 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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