Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Latest 2020 Summer Fashions

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Latest 2020 Summer Fashions #370
pen, ink, and graphite on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202006042
© copyright Mike Kraus

The thing about other people is when they breathe, cough, and talk their infected droplets get into your mouth and nose.  Eventually those droplets get into your lungs.  That can happen from 6 feet away.  Ew!  We can create a style with a higher standard - i.e., a pop of color or a pattern.  By covering your mouth, you are telling the world you have loved ones with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old parents/grandparents.  You are saying "I love my family and friends and I don't want them to die alone on a ventilator drowning in their own lungs.    

With only one mask, you need to take every opportunity to make it count.  What's the best way to do this?  Well, find a mask that fits your personality at: Etsy Masks (https://www.etsy.com/market/masks).  Luckily, there are so many exceptional piece that won't break bank.  There's college/professional teams from SamSamMasks and fierce animal prints by TrendyBestie.  Check out our sexy selection of statement-making masks, all at an affordable price at: Etsy Masks (https://www.etsy.com/market/masks)  
Tips For Working At Home
Communication

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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Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Tips For Working At Home: Communication



Improving Communication

Working from home comes with a lot of obstacles. Coronavirus (COVID-19) converting your dining room into a office crammed with your kids, pets, spouse, parents, roommates and others makes completing tasks nearly impossible.

We need to communicate better. Let's start by acknowledging everyone's situation is unique and difficult. I had many of the same issues you're experiencing when I started working from home 6+ years ago. And I hope the mistakes, failures, and experiences can help you during these difficult times.

1) Talking Without Words - Humans are social animals. We like being together. We're also visual creatures. This explains why social distancing and interacting with co-workers is so difficult from home. It's because about 55% of the communication you receive from a person talking is nonverbal. We know how a person feels from their facial expressions, posture, gestures, eye contact, and other movements. This means we have to compensate for the loss of person-to-person communication. More about nonverbal communication at: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/nonverbal-communication.htm

2) Know Your Audience - Are you talking with your boss, the board of directors, customers, or a Zoom crowd? Each group will have their own needs and expectations. All may be discussing the same production, but each segment will have very different questions about it.

3) "Hello Out There!" - This can be the most difficult during social distancing.  It's easy to lose your social skills. And you'll develop other strange social skills. So, set aside some time to talk with your co-workers on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, etc. While my organization is a "one-man band," I talk regularly with other artists, online sellers, and curators. It's not only good networking, but keeps me from becoming socially isolated.

4) Communicate Visually And By Voice - You may be busy right now, but this can save a lot of time in the long run. The human brain did not evolve to understand texts, emails, and other abstract communications. Because of this, they are frequently misread and interpreted negatively. How many mundane emails/texts have you sent that turned into a fight? So, use Facetime, Zoom, Skype and/or the phone to let people see your facial expressions and hear the tone of your voice. Humans are emotional creatures. And seeing your emotions will put them at ease.

5) Virtual Meetings - Honestly, I've never used Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Facetime, or other software before Coronavirus. So, here's what I've learned through trial and error:

a) Set a Time Limit - People zone out after 10 minutes. Check emails and other things after 30 minutes. Are useless at 1 hour.

b) Pause - Allow others to respond. Some connections are slow and other's have to release mute because of household activity

c) Be Prepared - Have a concise agenda, documents uploaded, and stay on topic.

d) Discipline - If you have a long meeting, don't allow unrelated conversations, down time for loading documents, and other interruptions or the meeting will be a waste of time. Allowing time for distractions means they may be on screen, but they are no longer participating in a real way. 

e) End On a High Note - With any spare time, ask a fun non-worked related question.  Or do something fun as a team.

6) Repeat Yourself. Repeat It Again. And Don't Forget To Repeat Yourself - With virtual communication being so cheap and easy, people forget things mentioned in text, email, etc. If something is important, I find I have to say it three times to make it stick in their brain. Another trick is to include a "task list" in every message during a project. This way, everyone know's where you are at on a project.

7) Tell A Story - For eons, humans communicated and learned from stories, myths, and legends around a campfire. So, if you have something important to say, make a story. It can be simple. Just have a clear message, show the conflict, easy to understand structure, share your personal experience, act it out appropriately, and edit out unnecessary details.



8) Ask and Accept Criticism - Some of the harshest attacks I've received for my art has improved my work. I posted a cityscape on social media and someone said "Terrible. You're better that this." Instead of replying with an insult, I asked him, "Why don't you like this? Please, be specific." He gave me his honest feelings that it lacked certain details to make it feel like a real location. It really forced me to rethink my work and how it was being perceived. Most importantly, he cared. He cared enough about my work to tell me his emotional response. He cared enough to tell me how to improve my painting. And he cared enough that he bought an improved version I created in response. Today, it's one of my more popular subjects to create.

9) Who's Being Quiet? - Meetings can easily be overpowered. Some people just love to hear themselves talk (especially when they have little to say). If someone's been silent the entire time, ask them about their thoughts, feelings, or ideas. For some reason, the shy one's tend to have the best ideas. Probably because they're listening and have contemplated the problem while everyone else was yakking about nothing.

10) Only Have A Meeting With A Written Agenda - Everyone's time is important and expensive. So, stop wasting it. And it can be super simple. For example, this is what I use:

(Client Name) Meeting on (Date), (Time)
1) State purpose of meeting (ie - purchase custom artwork)
2) Discuss purpose of meeting (ie -subject, size, colors, style, etc)
3) Review purpose of meeting (ie - confirm design details)

11) Save It - Have a meeting folder for your minutes, notes, presentations, or Zoom recordings. It will help you on your current projects. Confirm details that may be forgotten. And you can reuse many items for future meetings and projects.

12) Break Routine - If you want people to remember something, change expectations. It can be as simple as a funny meme in a Powerpoint, strange fact, or changing your normal meeting time, date, or location. It doesn't take a lot to surprise people.

13) Just Shut Up and Listen - Most people will tell you exactly what's on their mind and how they feel. Look at them. Ask follow up questions about details. And respond to their thoughts and emotions.

AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!

Have any questions? Please feel free to contact me.
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:
at 1 comment:

Monday, June 8, 2020

Winter Glow at RoCo 6x6x2020

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Winter Glow
acrylic painting on canvas 
6" x 6" (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm)
20200301
© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: http://roco6x6.org/gallery/2020/496

Join me at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) virtual 6x6x2020 exhibition open now at: http://roco6x6.org/.  Supporting your local arts organization, like RoCo, is important.  The arts allows us to express our humanity in ways that cannot be explored any other way.  It can take us to places real and imagined.  It breaks the boundaries of language, nation, race, and religion.  It allows us to feel happy, empathy, love, and sorrow.  It records who we are as people today for future generations to understand where they came from and help them to where they are going.  It's a small gesture.  Only $20.  But it's the small things coming together that make greatness.

Tips For Working At Home

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, June 5, 2020

Vineyard In Hyères, France

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Vineyard In Hyères, France
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202006041
© copyright Mike Kraus

Minouche made us an exceptionally hearty breakfast this morning with crêpes and countless other treats. We savor the meal and coffee contemplating the beautiful artwork on the light yellow walls of the Chambres d'hôtes Le Régent. Jean Louis enters, after preparing our bikes, to give us very convoluted and accurate directions for our ride. Minouche packed us an assortment of snacks and pointed us down a crooked street with changing names.

We walk our bikes past boutiques preparing to open and cafes that have been busy for hours until we cross the Gapeau River on the edge of town. We ride down a two-track along a farm, through a very small boulevard, and onto the Chemin des Maures. It's a one-lane road of worn out asphalt connecting dozens of farms growing various fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We find the red and white gate where the trees become sparse on burnt umber soil, which is the entrance of the trail. The arid landscape suddenly turns into a lush and green woods. Eventually, the forest opens onto a farm and village where the streets all have the same name. We find the bus stop next to the trail near our destination in Les Troisièmes Borrels.

The Domaine des Trois Chenes 14 hectares vineyard is all to ourselves. Régis welcomes us to join him in the field inspecting the grapes. Shares how his family has handpicked, avoided chemicals, and used traditional vats and barrels for five generations. He is not shy about sharing his strong beliefs on winemaking. After tasting their rosé and Jules Scarone red, you'll absolutely agree with him.

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

Tips For Working At Home

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:
at No comments:

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Stay Home

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 



Stay Home #369
pen, ink, and graphite on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202006038
© copyright Mike Kraus

Some of us have lost friends way too soon.  Many other's have been alone on hospital ventilators drowning in their own lungs.  For those of us with asthma, various heart diseases, diabetes, have or survived cancer.  And our parents and grandparents who we love so much.  

Stay home, save lives.  It's really that simple.  Finally getting to play video games without interruption.  I'm binge watching all sorts of shows and movies.  Laying in my hammock reading books that have been collecting on my shelves.  And evenings playing board games with a few glasses of wine.  Our pup, Scout, loves all the attention and walks she's been getting.  Saving lives has never been so easy.

See how staying home prevents thousands of people from getting the Coronavirus:
https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/3/26/21193851/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-home-social-distancing

Tips For Working At Home

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:
at No comments:

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Tips For Working At Home: How To Leave Work And Have Fun Doing It


How To Leave Work And Have Fun Doing It

It's okay to admit that your home is a stressful work environment. Especially with Coronavirus (COVID-19). The kids are always screaming. Your dogs wants more affection and your cat wants you to leave. And why is your furloughed spouse blasting 24-hour cable news all day long? You're just trying to get some work done.

Everyone's situation is difficult and unique. And we need to admit that these uncertain times give us anxiety. When I started working from home 6+ years ago, I had many of the same issues you're experiencing right now. While this post is related to my Take A Break post, I've heard and observed this area needed more attention. I hope that my experience will help you relieve the stress you're feeling these days.

Why We Need Our Nights, Weekends, and Vacations

1) Productivity - Employees who work 60-hour weeks are less productive than workers who put in 40-hours a week. Why? They burnout. In fact, many experiments have even found that productivity increase when the work week is reduced to 4 days. For example, Microsoft saw productivity skyrocket 40% with a 4-day work week. An Ernst and Young report stated an average 8% boost in performance rate for every 10 hours of vacation taken.

2) Free Time - Isn't it just a waste of time? Absolutely not. Working without time off causes you to burnout with stress and exhaustion. Weekends allows you to recharge and stay motivated. You're just like a race car, you need to take a pit stop to change your tires and refuel if you want to win the race.

3) Long-Term Happiness - Employees that have a healthy work/life balance are much happier. In fact, working over 40 hours doubles your chances of depression. Happy employees stay with their organizations much longer. And that reduces the Human Resource costs of severance/bonus packages, hiring recruiters, time spent on interviews, training, and other related costs.

Working a maximum of 40 hours isn't just good for business, but it improves your home life. Studies have found you're more likely to have better relationships with your partner, children, and other relationships.

4) Your Health - We're all home to stay healthy. But, sitting at your desk all day increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Many underlying conditions which can be fatal if you become infected by Coronavirus (COVID-19). So, walk away from your desk.

Stress causes more absenteeism and illness. In 2016, that cost American businesses $382 billion. Certainly much more during a pandemic.

How Do We Take and Use Our Nights, Weekends, and Vacations

1) Turn Off Work - Nights, Weekends, and Vacations are your time. Turn off the computer and/or put a towel over it if it's in your dining room. Close the door if you have an office. Switch off notifications on your phone. Don't let work invade your time and space.

2) Make Nights and Weekends Special - This is your time to be with your family. Stay-at-Home orders can add stress to boredom. We all need something to look forward to after work and school. I suggest selecting "theme nights." Here are some of my favorites: pizza night, B-movie night, wino weekend, ice cream Sunday, backyard camping night, evening nature walk, family Zoom night, game night, driveway chalking, and countless others. Are your kids or roommates musical? Then have a "band night."

3) Runaway! - Is there a place you like to picnic, hike, or visit? Plan to have family time there every week. 

4) Read - Do you know how many books I've not read on my shelves? Far too many. Nothing is better than lying in my hammock reading a book in the summer.

5) Meditate/Pray - This is a time of quiet reflection. Learn to meditate at: Mindful. Learn to prey at: WikiHow or find your spiritual/religious organization's website.

6) Backyard Camping - Set up a tent, have a bonfire, eat hot dogs, roast s'mores, tell ghost stories, and sleep under the stars. 


7) Chalk the Driveway - Draw all over your driveway and sidewalks. Thank essential workers. Make silly monsters. Draw your favorite characters. Create obstacle courses. Make a self portrait.

8) Cooking - Use this time to make your favorite foods. Don't know how to cook; learn! Here's a good place for all kinds of options: Learn To Cook


9) Gardening - This is a great way to spend some time outside. And there's lots of reasons to garden: you love flowers, fresh food, safe from pesticides and other poisons, light exercise, restoring ecosystem and help climate, community buildings, and save money. Learn To Garden

10) Hobby - Find something you love to do. It can be painting, sculpture, sewing, writing, photography, printing, volunteering for a cause, fitness, biking, hiking, woodworking, learn a new language, making models, magic, juggling, fishing, running, dancing, swimming, geo-caching, surfing, astronomy, model rockets, bird watching, researching ancestry, history of a specific event, card games, pool, darts, home brewing, wine tasting, music, collecting and so, so very much more.

AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!

Have any questions? Please feel free to contact me.
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:
at 5 comments:

Monday, June 1, 2020

It's Knot a Tie For Dad...

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


THANK DAD
for his
INSPIRATION and LOVE!

Dad is too unique and special for just another card, tie, or novelty gift.  Get him something memorable with original artwork.  Or have a custom piece created just for him.  (And dad, you deserve to choose something you want for yourself too.)


Stay Safe,
Mike Kraus
MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS - Trying to stay creative, healthy, and entertained?  Check out my FREE eBook Wooden Bear for a limited time at:



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:

at No comments:
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