🎨 An Artist's Customer Service Is Quality 🎨

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Artwork can have a very long life.  The pig paintings in Leang Tedongnge cave in Indonesian are about 45,500 years old.  With creations that have longevity, customer service becomes an important feature.  Once it leaves your studio, you should consider the lifetime of your piece.  How is it sold, presented and displayed, delivered to customer, cleaned and maintained, provenance tracking if sold or inherited, and insurance value if destroyed.  Your customers will want your help.  

Creating high quality art is good customer service because it lowers the need to correct issues.  You may pay more in labor, materials, and shipping, but you will save time and money from complaints, returns, repairs, lost customers, and bad reviews.  A happy customer is return customer.  And a return customer is the best customer because they will tell their friends and family that they should work with you too.

Here is an Artist's Customer Service Program:

1) Customer Service Infrastructure - Look at all the ways you buyers contact you: phone, email, social media, etc.  How much time and effort is needed to fix a problem?

2) Price - For replacements, repairs, and other issues, have a policy that is fair and easy to understand.

3) Streamline your process for reliability and speed

4) Staff - Train everyone on designs and how to fix problems

5) Educate customers about designs

6) Fix problem quickly; then be kind.  A frustrated customer want results; not gracious words.  At least until the issue is resolved and then kindness is greatly appreciated.

7) Continuous Evaluation - Set goals, track important stats, analyze data regularly, verify the process and outcomes, and improve the process. 

Want to meet new friends and have fun?

COME TO THE allFREEDOM SUMMER PARTY AT:

https://www.facebook.com/events/7494125563997105

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:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/BrightscapesArt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

🎨 Questions To Consider About the Size of Artwork 🎨

 

What about size? Look at the space you wish to hang a piece of original art. Is it large or small? What’s around it; lamps, doors, windows, or other pieces on the wall? Will it be the focus of the room or something to fill a small void? Will anything obstruct its view? The scale of the piece is important. Too big and it can be oppressive in absorbing all the visual space. Too small and it can get lost among the furniture and other decor. Generally, most residential spaces can accommodate pieces in a range of 12 inches (30 centimeters) to 4 feet (122 centimeters). A good trick is to purchase blue painter’s tape and make an outline of the size that feels good to you.

Want to meet new friends and have fun?

COME TO THE allFREEDOM SUMMER PARTY AT:

https://www.facebook.com/events/7494125563997105

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:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/BrightscapesArt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

🎨 Trust Your Gut To Decorate Your Home 🎨

Trust your gut. Buy what you love. There’s always room on your walls for something you love. You are the one that will have to look at it every day. The pieces you choose add life and dimension to your home. They tell your friends, family, and guests who you are. The artwork in your home should feel special to you. If it doesn’t, it’s better to have an empty void until you find something that makes your heart burst.

What do you love? Is there someone special in your life? What do you do in your spare time? When have you been the happiest? What location is the most special spot in the world to you? All things you should consider before making a purchase.

Want to meet new friends and have fun?

COME TO THE allFREEDOM SUMMER PARTY AT:

https://www.facebook.com/events/7494125563997105

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:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/BrightscapesArt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

🎨 The Art of Quality 🎨

What do your customers want from your artwork? Is it creativity, composition, color, realism, materials, value, representation, reputation, or something else? Most likely, it is a complex combination of these features. Over time, the importance of these traits to your customers will change. But, how well you fulfill these desired attributes will determine the quality of your work.

“Quality” can be both objective and subjective. If a piece of art breaks immediately for no apparent reason; most would consider it “low-quality.” But what is the value of your friend’s opinion on a work? Both have a significant impact. The perception of the quality of your artwork is also impacted by branding, previous experience with you and your work, reputation, published articles and comments, price, design, saleperson(s), return policies, ease of installation, durability, customer service, and comparisons to your competition. Many of these are within your control; some are not.

There is something you can do. Critique your artwork and how you present it to customers by asking these questions:

1) How do you want to help your customers?

2) What services do your customers want?

3) What services do you actually provide?

4) What services does your competition and others provide?

5) What is you customers’ service demand patterns? Do they require a lot of attention at time of purchase, but quickly fade away? Or is it the opposite because pieces need a lot of maintenance and repairs over time?

6) What trade-offs are your customers willing to make: speed, cost, or efficiency?

Honestly, you probably don’t know the answers right now as they can change frequently. So, don’t be afraid to ask for customer feedback, send surveys, conduct interviews, test products, analyze the competition, and review market research. Art and business are both creative endeavors.

Want to meet new friends and have fun?

COME TO THE allFREEDOM SUMMER PARTY AT:

https://www.facebook.com/events/7494125563997105

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:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/BrightscapesArt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Total Solar Eclipse

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Total Solar Eclipse
acrylic paint on canvas board
202404011
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/210510047

Where were you on April 8th, 2024?  Did you actually "see" the moon passing in front of the sun or did you only "look" at the eclipse?  What did you notice about the sky as it began to converge?  Did you hear the crickets chirp and the birds go silent?  What about the colors and shadows?

How did the solar eclipse make you feel?

Total Solar Eclipse

acrylic paint on canvas board

202404012

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/1483662829

COME TO THE allFREEDOM SUMMER PARTY!

It's all about making friends and having fun at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/7494125563997105

ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:

🎨 Where To Start a Creative Art Business 🎨:

https://medium.com/arts-o-magazine/where-to-start-a-creative-art-business-fb8867dec221?sk=3910f0d8bfc2fe700c909f51ce8ebc83

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:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/BrightscapesArt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

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

📻 Listen to my interview on NPR's Marketplace at 📻: https://www.marketplace.org/2023/12/19/alternative-investments-went-on-a-wild-ride-during-the-pandemic/

ARTS o’ MAGAZINE:

📢 ESTATE SALE! Today 10am-3pm 📢: 

https://medium.com/arts-o-magazine/estate-sale-today-10am-3pm-864c65a8c544?sk=a63627462f1337f9443f645eef371727

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:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/BrightscapesArt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

🔴⚪🔵 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.