Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Don't Touch Your Face!

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



Don't Touch Your Face! #372
pen and ink on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202006048
© copyright Mike Kraus

It is estimated that people touch their faces about 23 times per hour! Respiratory infections can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing germs. When you touch your face with dirty, unwashed hands, germs can take up residence in your mucous membranes which can lead to an infection.

There are several ways that you can protect yourself from getting a respiratory infection:
1) Wear a mask and cover your nose and mouth.
2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Never touch your face with dirty hands.
3) Wash your hands frequently. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations (Use an 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands if soap and water are not available).
4) Get a flu shot every year. Encourage your family and friends to get a flu shot too!
5) Ask your healthcare provider if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.
6) Avoid being close to people who are coughing and sneezing.

Tips For Working At Home
Communication:
Be You!: 

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.

Monday, June 22, 2020

Latest 2020 Summer Fashions

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Latest 2020 Summer Fashions 
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm) 
202006047
© copyright Mike Kraus

The thing about other people is when they breathe, cough, and talk their infected droplets get into your mouth, nose, and eyes.  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 nose and mouth, you are telling the world you have loved ones with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, 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 colorful flowers from Mayan Expressions (https://www.etsy.com/listing/820439155) or countless designs by Made By MiMi Leslie (https://www.etsy.com/listing/808823197).  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:
Be You!: 

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:

Friday, June 19, 2020

Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


BLACK LIVES MATTER

Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202006046
© copyright Mike Kraus
Tips For Working At Home
Communication:
Be You!: 

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:

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Latest 2020 Summer Fashions

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Latest 2020 Summer Fashions #371
pen, ink, and graphite on Bristol paper
2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 
NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION
202006045
© copyright Mike Kraus

The thing about other people is when they breathe, cough, and talk their infected droplets get into your mouth, nose, and eyes.  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, overweight, 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 colorful flowers from Mayan Expressions (https://www.etsy.com/listing/820439155) and fierce animal prints by Katie Leigh Co (https://www.etsy.com/listing/812511661).  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:
Be You!: 

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:

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Tips For Working At Home: Be You


Be You

Coronavirus (Covid-19) may have changed many things, but it hasn't changed who we are as individuals.  If you can figure out who you are and how to be yourself, you'll be so much happier.  All of us have unique eccentricities and different challenges.  Here are some ideas about how to embrace ourselves during uncertain times.


1) Who Am I and Who Do I Want To Be? - We all get lost.  Beliefs collide with experiences to make us hypocrites.  So, we have to be patient, flexible, and understanding to others and ourselves.

Personally, I was having lots of troubles a few years ago.  Upon reflection, I realized I needed to work at being a better person.  But, what did that mean to me?  My answer was to put truth, fairness, and kindness into action.  Sometimes there are grey areas, I forget and fail, or I stubbornly cling to wishful thinking.  Yet, it always comes back and I will myself to do the right thing. 

2) Who Cares What They Think? - If you don't choose for yourself; someone else will choose for you.  You'll lose your personal identity, lessen your self-esteem, waste time and energy on other people's pet projects, and have unfulfilling relationships.  That doesn't mean you're selfishly not taking other's into consideration.  It just means you're taking yourself into consideration as well.  And that's healthy.  

3) Being Alone - Use this isolation to discover who you really are.  What are your thoughts, interests, feelings, dreams, and ideas?  Turn off the smartphone and TV to listen to yourself.  

4) You're Weird - Good!  Weird is interesting.  Weird is fun.  Love it because it means you're probably doing something right.  It's a compliment; not an insult.


5) Build Confidence - Imagine who you want to be.  Ignore self-doubt.  Set some achievable goals.  Share goals with a supportive friend.  Help the supportive friend with their goals.  

6) "Pobody's Nerfect" - Most likely, it's your first time going through life.  You'll accidentally insult your boss, regret some decisions, and forget someone's birthday.  Admit the error, apologize, make a kind gesture, and move on.  

7) Get a 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. 

8) Hooray For Mistakes! - Mistakes are great as long as you learn from them.  It means you're still experimenting and trying new things.  Just remember to admit your errors, ask yourself honest questions about your decisions, find effective way to prevent future problems, and move on.

Or it could be a new discovery.  A few "mistakes" lead to the creation of the plastic, Post-It Notes, the Slinky, Penicillin, corn flakes, the Pacemaker, and so much more.  As Bob Ross says, "We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents. 

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:

Monday, June 15, 2020

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202006044
© copyright Mike Kraus

I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up.  The trees rustle in the breeze stirring up the aromas of the forest.  A freshness one always has to remind themselves of in civilization.  The light refracts in strange ways at this time.  It's when the surreal becomes the real.

This piece would look best in a small-to-medium space that is dark red, orange, green, dark navy blue, purple, black, white, grey, 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:

Friday, June 12, 2020

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Twilight Woods
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202006043
© copyright Mike Kraus

I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up.  The trees rustle in the breeze stirring up the aromas of the forest.  A freshness one always has to remind themselves of in civilization.  The light refracts in strange ways at this time.  It's when the surreal becomes the real.

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

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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