🐶 HAPPY 12TH SCOUT-IVERSARY! 🐶

 🐶 HAPPY 12TH SCOUT-IVERSARY! 🐶

🐶 Previous Scout-iversarys! 🐶

Year11) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2024/10/happy-11th-scout-iversary.html

Year 10) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2023/11/happy-10th-scout-iversary.html

Year 9) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2022/10/happy-9th-scout-iversary.html

Year 8) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2021/10/happy-8th-scout-iversary.html

Year 7) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/happy-7th-scout-iversary.html

Year 6) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2019/10/happy-6th-scout-iversary.html

Year 5) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2018/10/happy-5th-scout-iversary.html

Year 4) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2017/10/happy-4th-scout-iversary.html

Year 3) http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2016/10/happy-3rd-scout-iversary.html

Year 2) http://mikekraus.blogspot.mk/2015/11/happy-scout-iversary.html

Year 1) http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrations.html

In The Beginning) http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-new-dog-scout.html

🍂 A Gentle Start to the Season 🍂

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Are you ready for sweater weather?

The air has that soft edge again. The one that whispers change without saying a word. The trees turn from their summer greens into shades of honey, amber, and russet, and suddenly the light feels warmer, even as the days grow cooler. Autumn arrives quietly but confidently, reminding us to slow down and look around.

Lately, I’ve noticed how the shift into fall feels like a tug between two moods. Part of us wants to keep the ease of summer: bare feet, open windows, long sunsets. And the other part starts to plan. Holidays. Gatherings. Gifts. To-do lists. The cozy side of the season can get tangled with the pressure to get it “right.”

So here’s a small idea for this in-between time: take a pause before the rush. Find one simple ritual that feels like autumn to you. Maybe it’s a walk through crunchy leaves with a mug of something warm. Maybe it’s lighting a candle that smells like cinnamon or baking a batch of cookies just because. Let that tiny moment be your anchor before the season sweeps you along.

What I’ve learned from painting and from life is that slowing down is not the same as falling behind. It’s the moment you notice the texture in the details: the brushstrokes in a leaf, the way light hits the corner of your kitchen, the sound of laughter when everyone’s finally together again. Those small things are what make the holidays meaningful when they do arrive.

So here’s your gentle step for today: before you start planning, do something that makes you feel rooted in this very moment. Breathe it in. Let it fill you up. The rest can wait.

Here’s to a season of connection, calm, and color: where we remember that life, like art, is about savoring the layers.

Questions! 

Your Friend,

Mike Kraus

MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. I’d love for you to join me at the 🍂 Fabulous Fall Art Festival 🍂 online starting November 3. It is one of my favorite ways to welcome the season and connect with friends who love creativity and color as much as I do. Imagine curling up with your favorite drink, discovering new art, chatting with makers, and filling your home with pieces that make you smile; all without having to leave your cozy spot. Come be part of the fun and warmth.

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1418446459249700

🍁 Autumn Forest 🍁

202010096

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your home, please visit: 

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/1853358704

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

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

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

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

🛠️ Relaxation, a Dog, and a Weekend That Belongs to Me 🛠️

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

🛠️ Assembly Not Included 🛠️ 

acrylic paint on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

202510051

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your home, please visit:

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/257185902

Some mornings hum like a secret meant only for me, quiet and golden at the edges. I wake without alarms or tiny demands, just the soft rhythm of my own choosing. The air feels lighter, almost tender, as if the world remembers to breathe with me. I move through the day with unhurried hands, tracing joy in small rituals: reading what I please, wandering where I wish, painting what I dream. My world stays whole, uncluttered, and entirely mine, and I carry that freedom like sunlight in my pocket.

When was the last time you felt the sweet hush of a day that belonged only to you?

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

🍂✨ The Fabulous Fall Art Festival is coming! ✨🍂

Join us online starting November 3rd for a cozy celebration of creativity, color, and community! Meet amazing artists, explore handmade treasures, and fill your home with beauty all from the comfort of your couch.

Artists and art lovers, this is your space to connect, share, and be inspired. Come join the fun! 

👉 RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1418446459249700

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

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

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

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

🎀 A Beautiful Blend of Creativity and Heart 🎀

🎀 White Lace Baby Bow Headband 🎀

Bow size approximately 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (8.89 cm x 6.35 cm)

To purchase for a special baby, please visit:

https://everirisdesigns.etsy.com/listing/1323790561

There is something truly special about a creative partnership built on love, artistry, and shared vision — and that spirit shines through in Ever Iris Designs, the mother-daughter shop created by Karla and Emily. Since opening their Etsy store in 2016, this talented duo has been handcrafting beautiful bows using premium designer fabrics. Each piece carries its own unique personality, reflecting the care and joy that go into every stitch.

What makes Ever Iris Designs stand out is the warmth behind their work. Every bow tells a story — one of connection, family, and creativity passed between generations. They hope that each piece brings as much happiness to your family as they feel in making them. From everyday wear to special moments, their handmade bows add a touch of beauty and meaning that mass-produced accessories simply cannot.

In a world that often rushes by, Karla and Emily remind us of the quiet joy of handmade things. Their work celebrates individuality and the beauty found in life’s smallest details. If you love supporting artists who put heart into their craft, take a moment to explore their shop and see why so many people adore Ever Iris Designs.

For more information, please visit: 

Shop: EverIrisDesigns.Etsy.com

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/everirisdesigns

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaw3.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everirisdesigns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everirisdesigns

🍂✨ The Fabulous Fall Art Festival is coming! ✨🍂

Join us online starting November 3rd for a cozy celebration of creativity, color, and community! Meet amazing artists, explore handmade treasures, and fill your home with beauty all from the comfort of your couch.

Artists and art lovers, this is your space to connect, share, and be inspired. Come join the fun! 

👉 RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1418446459249700

🌊 Is Survival Enough, or Do We Have to Learn How to Hold Fast? 🌊

 

On a few rainy Vermont days, I had the pleasure of curling up with Hold Fast by Marshall Highet and Bird Stasz Jones. Bird was actually our kind and generous AirBNB host, and reading her book while surrounded by misty green hills made the experience even more special. The story begins in 1761, when two Italian boys, Joseph Carlos and his cousin, are kidnapped by the British Navy and forced into service on a man-of-war. What follows is an unforgettable journey of courage, language, and survival at sea.

Based on a true story from Bird’s own family history, Hold Fast blends historical accuracy with the heart of a classic adventure. There are moments of peril and humor, and even a pig meant for dinner becomes a beloved companion. Through storms, punishments, and impossible choices, the boys grow into young men who begin to understand not only the vastness of the ocean but also of the world itself.

What makes Hold Fast truly powerful is how it reminds us that nearly every American story begins with a journey like this one. Whether by choice or by circumstance, we all come from people who crossed borders for Freedom. It is both a gripping sea tale and a gentle reminder of the courage and endurance that shaped our shared history. If you love adventure stories with heart and humanity, this one will stay with you long after the last page.

For more information about Marshall Highet & Bird Stasz Jones, please visit:
Website: https://www.theothersideofthefire.com
Email: marshallandbird@gmail.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Fast-Marshall-Highet/dp/1493039431

☕️ Is coffee a beverage or a survival strategy? ☕️

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

☕️ The Morning Cup of Coffee #595 ☕️

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

202510053

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your collection, please visit:

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/228727517

With sunrise sneaking in at 5:29 AM, how is anyone supposed to sleep? I shuffle out of bed, let the dog out, and move through my slow morning rhythm. My bones creak their usual protest as I fill the coffeemaker with fresh grounds and water. It sputters and sighs to life, filling the air with that rich, earthy scent that feels like comfort itself.

That first mug gets me started, steadying the mind before the day begins: emails, paperwork, and endless to-dos. A refill or two keeps me company through the afternoon while I dive into the creative work that truly wakes me up. By the afternoon, maybe a final pour to toast another day well spent.

So tell me, what’s in your mug today? Do you take it black, sweet, creamy, or with a little weekend “kick”? What small ritual starts your day on the right note?

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

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

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

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

🥞 How many pancakes is too many? 🥞

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

🥞 Grandpa's Panny Cakes 🥞

acrylic paint on canvas board

5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)

202510050

© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.

To purchase for your breakfast table, please visit:

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/213359742

Some of my favorite childhood nights started with the smell of pancakes for dinner. My grandpa would flip them while my sister and I turned his kitchen into a playground. Afterward we’d wander into his workshop, draw pictures, or play with old toys that once belonged to my mom. The TV was usually on something he didn’t care for, but he’d watch anyway, smiling at our chatter. Those evenings felt like sunlight and maple syrup: simple, sweet, and full of warmth.

What small rituals from your childhood still make you smile when you think of them?

My Story

Hi, I’m Mike the artist of Mike Kraus Art Inc.

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I’d fill every notebook, homework margin, and scrap of paper with doodles. I sold my first artwork in junior high, sketching in class and handing off pieces between periods. That early love for making things never faded. I followed it all the way to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and eventually, I decided to stop treating art as a side hustle and make it my life’s work.

My paintings are full of energy, motion, and saturated color. I’m drawn to bold shapes and organic lines—forms that feel alive. I create with the hope that my work brings something beautiful and uplifting into someone’s day. Whether it’s a spark of joy, a moment of calm, or just a splash of color that makes you pause—I want my art to connect with something real.

Now, I’m lucky enough to paint full-time, with collectors across the U.S. and in dozens of countries around the world. But more than anything, I still feel like that kid with a crayon, excited to create. I’m grateful to share this journey with you—and I hope you find something in my work that makes your world a little brighter.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

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

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

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

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social