Monday, June 16, 2025

🧠 Do you know someone with Dementia? June is Dementia Awareness Month 🧠

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🧠 Having Dementia #582 🧠
pen, ink, and colored pencil on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202505025
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/650023843

🧠 June is Dementia Awareness Month 🧠

With 55 million people worldwide having Dementia, like Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, all of us know someone who's afflicted. Here are some signs:

Cognitive Impairment: 
-Difficulty finding words or using them correctly
-Memory loss, especially for recent events or conversations
-Confusion about time, place, or people
-Problems with planning, organizing, and decision-making

Behavioral Changes: 
-Angry outbursts often stemming from underlying confusion, pain, or fear
-Changes in relationships
-Changes in personality, such as becoming more anxious, apathetic, paranoid, or impulsive

Other Symptoms: 
-Fixation on objects, ideas, or activities like compulsive bad decisions and obsessive golfing.
-Difficulty with spatial orientation, such as problems with sensing own body position
-Short attention span and difficulty concentrating, affecting a person's ability to focus on tasks
-Unusual grooming, posture, and/or walk

Early-Onset Dementia: 
These symptoms may appear earlier in life, typically before the age of 65. Individuals may also experience more rapid cognitive decline.
 
“The disease might hide the person underneath, but there’s still a person in there who needs your love and attention.” - Jamie Calandriello

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!
You're invited to:
a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show
with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:
24 N Main St
Fairport, NY 14450

My Story
I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Friday, June 13, 2025

🌸 Lotus Flower 🌸

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🌸 Lotus Flower 🌸
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202505027
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 

As I hike up a hill, the forest opens allowing the hot Summer sun through.  The croaking of frogs seem to be attracting the attention of a Blue Heron at the pond below.  The mud is deep and thick.  It sticks to everything it comes in contact with a pungent stench.  In the middle of the muck, somehow an immaculate Lotus blooms.  When everything is a mess it manages to open itself up to the light.

How do we keep the sludge from clinging to us?

This piece would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, dark green, blue, black, white, beige, gray, or wood.

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!
You're invited to:
a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show
with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:
24 N Main St
Fairport, NY 14450

My Story
I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Thursday, June 12, 2025

🍷 Carefree Wine Tasting: Pinot Noir 🍷



I know very, VERY little about wine.  So, this is about having fun with friends, good food, and drinks.  And it's an entertaining experiment as well.  Our perception of what is "good" can get so confused by pricing, packaging, and marketing.  But, when you do a blind taste test, the results can be surprising.

How it works is simple.  We mark each wine glass and mix them to keep their identity secret.  Then we (6 individuals) sip each to look for the smell, taste, texture, acidity, and tannins.  We then do it again with food suggestions we've found from various sources.  Finally, we rank our favorites with and without food ending with an overall winner.  

Color: Deep dark red
Nose/Smell: Faint earthy minerals
Taste: Tart berry like a purple SweeTart.  
Texure/Mouthfeel: Light and then rought
Acid/Cheek: varied greatly between participants
Tannin/Gumdryness: Slight-to-medium dryness

Food: 
BBQ potato chips: smoother with more flavor brought out.
Gouda cheese: Smooth and a little tangy
Chocolate Almonds: Okay...
White Chocolate: Tart and then very sweet.  Makes chocolate sweeter.

Thirsty Owl 2023 (https://thirsty-owl-wine-co.square.site/product/pinot-noir-2023/559?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=FL2BJXYPCYMRYAAXHPPA2D2K)
Color: Light, translucent burgundy.  Madeira-like.
Nose/Smell: Light strawberry and tart cherry.
Taste: Sour fruit
Texure/Mouthfeel: Very thick, rough.  Like corduroy.
Acid/Cheek: Very acidic
Tannin/Gumdryness: Very dry 

Food: 
BBQ potato chips: Not good and very artificial.
Gouda cheese: Super smokey, but not very tasty.
Chocolate Almonds: Bitter
White Chocolate: Just tart.

Bota Box Pinot Noir (https://www.botabox.com/wines/nighthawk-pinot-noir/)
Color: Very dark red and opaque.
Nose/Smell: Blackberry jam
Taste: Apple, Light, good blackberry jam.  Long lasting.
Texure/Mouthfeel: Smooth and jammy.
Acid/Cheek: So light and mild.
Tannin/Gumdryness: Low acid and smooth.

Food: 
BBQ potato chips: Makes wine too sweet.
Gouda cheese: Subtly smooth and very good.
Chocolate Almonds: Good
White Chocolate: Pretty good.

Estancia Pinot Noir 2022 (https://www.estanciawines.com/products/pinot-noir)
Color: Very dark and nearly black.
Nose/Smell: Fresh picked fruit.  Raspberries and tart apple
Taste: Tart apple and vanilla plum
Texure/Mouthfeel: Mild with a rougher aftertaste.
Acid/Cheek: Medium acidity
Tannin/Gumdryness: Medium 

Food: 
BBQ potato chips: Disappears and not good.
Gouda cheese: Smokey, wonky, and changes in not a good way.
Chocolate Almonds: Bumps up the sweetness and good.
White Chocolate: varies from okay-to-good depending on person.

BEST PINOT NOIR ON ITS OWN:
#1 Bota Box Pinot Noir
#2 Bouchard Aîné & Fils 2023
#3 Estancia Pinot Noir 2022
#4 Thirsty Owl 2023

BEST PINOT NOIR WITH FOOD:
#1 Bota Box Pinot Noir
#2 Bouchard Aîné & Fils 2023
#3 Thirsty Owl 2023
#4 Estancia Pinot Noir 2022

BEST OVERALL PINOT NOIR:
#1 Bota Box Pinot Noir
#2 Bouchard Aîné & Fils 2023
#3 (TIE) Thirsty Owl 2023/Estancia Pinot Noir 2022

For the 6 participants, Bota Box scored nearly twice as high as 4th place winning best in all categories.  The wines themselves varied widely in almost all areas.  And changed quite a bit with food.  I hope this helps you find something you like.  Maybe you'll have a different experience.  Or you'll share one for us to try next time.  THANKS!

See our other wine tasting results at:

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!
You're invited to:
a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show
with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:
24 N Main St
Fairport, NY 14450

My Story
I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

at No comments:

Monday, June 9, 2025

🐘🧠 Did you remember that June is Dementia Awareness Month? 🧠🐘

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🐘🧠 Blue Elephant #421 🧠🐘
pen, ink, and graphite on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202103022
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/234637716

🧠 June is Dementia Awareness Month 🧠

With 55 million people worldwide having Dementia, like Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, all of us know someone who's afflicted. Here are some signs:

Cognitive Impairment: 
-Difficulty finding words or using them correctly
-Memory loss, especially for recent events or conversations
-Confusion about time, place, or people
-Problems with planning, organizing, and decision-making

Behavioral Changes: 
-Angry outbursts often stemming from underlying confusion, pain, or fear
-Changes in relationships
-Changes in personality, such as becoming more anxious, apathetic, paranoid, or impulsive

Other Symptoms: 
-Fixation on objects, ideas, or activities like compulsive bad decisions and obsessive golfing.
-Difficulty with spatial orientation, such as problems with sensing own body position
-Short attention span and difficulty concentrating, affecting a person's ability to focus on tasks
-Unusual grooming, posture, and/or walk

Early-Onset Dementia: 
These symptoms may appear earlier in life, typically before the age of 65. Individuals may also experience more rapid cognitive decline.
 
“The disease might hide the person underneath, but there’s still a person in there who needs your love and attention.” - Jamie Calandriello

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!
You're invited to:
a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show
with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:
24 N Main St
Fairport, NY 14450

My Story
I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Friday, June 6, 2025

🐻🐮 How do tariffs, inflation, and purposeful economic chaos impact us? 🐮🐻

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🐻🐮 Viable Forces 🐮🐻
202405018
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home or office, please visit: 

How do tariffs, inflation, and purposeful economic chaos impact us?  I wake up and put on my clothes that are suddenly more expensive and a breakfast that keeps costing more.  I drive to work in a car that needs to be replaced, but not at these prices.  I'd ask for a raise if it wasn't for the rumors of upcoming layoffs.  Like my friends and neighbors, we've been tightening our belt buying less outfits, electronics, and restaurant dinners.  The Bear and Bull are in a vicious battle.  And we can only watch from the sidelines for the inevitable.

This piece would look best in a space that is red, orange, yellow, dark green, blue, purple, black, white, or wood.

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!
You're invited to:
a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show
with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:
24 N Main St
Fairport, NY 14450

My Story
I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

🧠 Did you know that June is Dementia Awareness Month? 🧠

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🧠 Broken Brain #581 🧠
pen, ink, and colored pencil on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202505024
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your collection, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/230945385

🧠 June is Dementia Awareness Month 🧠

With 55 million people worldwide having Dementia, like Alzheimer's and other brain diseases, all of us know someone who's afflicted. Here are some signs:

Cognitive Impairment: 
-Difficulty finding words or using them correctly
-Memory loss, especially for recent events or conversations
-Confusion about time, place, or people
-Problems with planning, organizing, and decision-making

Behavioral Changes: 
-Angry outbursts often stemming from underlying confusion, pain, or fear
-Changes in relationships
-Changes in personality, such as becoming more anxious, apathetic, paranoid, or impulsive

Other Symptoms: 
-Fixation on objects, ideas, or activities like compulsive bad decisions and obsessive golfing.
-Difficulty with spatial orientation, such as problems with sensing own body position
-Short attention span and difficulty concentrating, affecting a person's ability to focus on tasks
-Unusual grooming, posture, and/or walk

Early-Onset Dementia: 
These symptoms may appear earlier in life, typically before the age of 65. Individuals may also experience more rapid cognitive decline.
 
“The disease might hide the person underneath, but there’s still a person in there who needs your love and attention.” - Jamie Calandriello

HEY ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!
You're invited to:
a WILD, WEIRD, and WOOLY art show
with Lorraine Staunch, Lori Mulligan, and myself!

NOW OPEN AT:
24 N Main St
Fairport, NY 14450

My Story
I’m Mike, the Artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I’d fill countless sketchbooks with drawings, cover school assignments with doodles, and publish magazines and print flyers for my friend’s bands. And then, I became an “adult…” The demands of food and rent seemed to require a “serious job.” For years, I languished in a cubicle performing meaningless tasks for a meager salary.

But, art was always my side hustle. I started selling my artwork in junior high between classes. I’d create original pieces during lectures and commissions instead of homework. Oddly enough, being a poor student is what got me into the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by my past history, I quit my career and took another part-time job as a cashier of a big-box store because it had the least amount of responsibility. The rest of my time I spent painting. After several months, I had to quit this low-wage job too because it was getting in the way of my art.

I decided to be a full-time professional artist. I needed the time to paint, collaborate with my patrons and galleries, and maintain my studio. Since then, I’ve sold thousands of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. I’m very fortunate to have a career dedicated to adding more beauty to the world. And I hope to share that experience with you.

For more information or custom order, please visit:
at No comments:

Monday, June 2, 2025

💜 Victorian Gothic Amethyst Pendant 💜


💜 Victorian Gothic Amethyst Pendant 💜
Noelle Fran
To purchase for your neck, please visit: 

The sound of my heels on the sidewalk is the only noise on this eerily calm night in the city.  An evening of drinks with friends always makes me feel good.  But, tonight is different.  My head aches from some kind of external gloom.  As I look at others around me I only see furrowed brows and tight jaws.  I clutch my amethyst pendant and immediately feel better.  It will shield me from that I cannot see until I am home.

About Noelle Fran:
Creating allows my imagination to express itself.  And is also very soothing. I have always liked to create.  First to transform everyday life and my environment.  Then to share my creations with others

Connect With Noelle Fran at:
at No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)

If you like this, you might like...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...