Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

🌞 What is the first memory that comes to mind when you think of Summer on the Finger Lakes? 🌞

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty



A lot is expected of me when I am in the city. I wake up early, check messages, answer emails, take meetings, and spend the day trying to keep up with a growing list of demands. It feels like there is always one more thing to do and one more expectation to meet. By evening, I can feel the weight of it all. That is when I make my way to a quiet place by Canandaigua Lake. I hear the gentle lapping of water against the shore and feel the cool evening air on my skin as the sky fills with brilliant shades of gold, pink, purple, and blue. For a few moments, the noise of the day fades into the background.

Growth does not come from pushing harder every minute of every day. Sometimes it comes from creating space to think, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. The simple action is stepping away from the constant pressure and giving myself permission to pause. The benefit is clarity, renewed energy, and the reminder that my worth is not measured by how much I accomplish before sunset. 

When life feels overwhelming, where is the place that helps you remember who you are?

🌞 Canandaigua Trail 🌞
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
For a relaxing moment in your cottage, please visit:

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


✨🖼️ EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND: Feel Something Real 🖼️ ✨

Free Admission • No Tickets Required

Missed the opening? Due to an incredible response, we are keeping the doors open for one more month. Pieces are already finding homes, so this is your final chance to see the full collection.

Experience bold color, movement, and energy up close. This is art that shifts your mood the moment you walk in. Are you going to catch it before your favorite piece disappears?

1210 Culver Road
Rochester, NY, 14609 United States
(585) 455-3356
I've added the full gallery hours and location details to the Facebook event here:
If you hit 'Interested' or 'Going,' Facebook will actually ping you a reminder before we close so you don't miss the final dates!


Can you find my artwork at 6x6x2026? 

Check out the global online preview to support local art at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) and snag original pieces for only $20!

Find your next small masterpiece at: https://roco6x6.org/gallery/2026

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social
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Monday, March 23, 2026

🌲What do you do when the world feels overwhelming?🌲

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


I found it while wandering off the trail, where the air felt cooler and the forest grew quiet in a way that made me slow my steps. The bark was rough beneath my fingertips, and when I leaned closer, I caught that deep, earthy scent of soil and leaves that only old places seem to hold. There was something about the hollow that felt less like emptiness and more like a pause, a place where the noise of everything else simply faded. I stood there longer than I expected, breathing a little easier, as if the tree had been waiting to remind me that not everything needs to be rushed or solved all at once.

Bringing that feeling into your space is like keeping a small doorway to calm within reach, a quiet moment you can return to whenever the day feels overwhelming. It invites you to slow down, reset, and reconnect with something steady and grounded. If this sense of stillness speaks to you, you can make it part of your daily rhythm and let it gently shift the tone of your space. 

What might change if you gave yourself a place to pause like this every day?

🌲 Mother Tree: The Hollow Within #609 🌲
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
202603011
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To go on an adventure, please visit: 
or

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

🧊☃️🌞 Is now the time for ice to melt? 🌞☃️🧊

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


I stepped into the winter woods expecting quiet and cold, but instead I felt a warmth waiting for me, glowing low and steady behind the bare trees like a held breath. The snow softened my footsteps, the branches reached upward in patient lines, and that deep red light pulsed at the center of it all, a reminder that even in the starkest season something alive is still burning. Standing there, I felt my worries thin out, as if winter wasn’t an ending but a place where strength learns how to glow from within. A warmth I knew I would want to return to, again and again. 

What part of yourself is quietly keeping its warmth, even now?

🧊☃️🌞 Warmth That Remains 🌞☃️🧊
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
For warmth on a chilly day, please visit:

I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
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Friday, January 30, 2026

💙 What would it feel like to live with this kind of calm? 💙

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


Where this path will end is a mystery. 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.

Is there a place you go to relax? Is it wide-open or cozy? What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there? Is it a place where you can be by yourself? What about it makes you feel good?

💙 Twilight Woods 💙 
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202107054
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To find more calm in your space, please visit: 

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


I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html

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Tuesday, January 20, 2026

❄️☃️ Would You Follow This Path? ☃️❄️

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


I followed the path because it was still there, pressed into the snow between bare trees and a blue winter sky that felt brighter than the cold beneath my feet. Each step revealed earth under white, a quiet reminder that warmth does not vanish, it waits. The woods were still and honest, far from the noise of civilization, a place where the light softened everything and asked nothing of me. Walking there, I felt alone in a way that steadied me, unhurried and unobserved, a place I could return to whenever the world felt too loud. 

If you stepped onto this path, what would you hope to leave behind, and what would you want to carry with you?

❄️☃️ The Silence That Endures ☃️❄️
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202111102
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To enjoy peace and quiet, please visit:

This painting would look best in a space that is red, yellow, orange, purple, green, brown, beige, grey, white, black, or wood.


I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
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Friday, January 16, 2026

🌳 Where Does This Path Take You? 🌳

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


Where this path will end is a mystery. 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.

Is there a place you go to relax? Is it wide-open or cozy? What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there? Is it a place where you can be by yourself? What about it makes you feel good?

🌳 Twilight Woods 🌳
acrylic paint on canvas board
16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm) 
202105036
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To relax in a beautiful place, please visit:

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


I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
at No comments:

Friday, January 9, 2026

❄️☃️🌞 Where do you find warmth when everything else feels cold? 🌞☃️❄️

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


I stepped into the winter woods expecting quiet and cold, but instead I felt a warmth waiting for me, glowing low and steady behind the bare trees like a held breath. The snow softened my footsteps, the branches reached upward in patient lines, and that deep red light pulsed at the center of it all, a reminder that even in the starkest season something alive is still burning. Standing there, I felt my worries thin out, as if winter wasn’t an ending but a place where strength learns how to glow from within. A warmth I knew I would want to return to, again and again. 

What part of yourself is quietly keeping its warmth, even now?

❄️☃️🌞 Warmth That Remains 🌞☃️❄️
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202112104
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To add more cozy comfort to your space, please visit:


I’m Mike Kraus, a lifelong artist who believes color, movement, and curiosity can quietly change how a space and a day feel. More about me at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
at No comments:

Friday, November 14, 2025

🌞🌳 Do you remember the stillness just before night falls? 🌳🌞

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🌞🌳 Twilight Woods 🌳🌞
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202511060
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit:

Where this path will end is a mystery. 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.

Is there a place you go to relax? Is it wide-open or cozy? What do you see, hear, smell, and feel when you are there? Is it a place where you can be by yourself? What about it makes you feel good?

This piece would look best is a small-to-medium space that is red, orange, green, blue, purple, black, gray, or wood.


🍂🍁 Fall of Freedom: Join the Movement! 🍁🍂

This November 21–22, artists everywhere are uniting to celebrate creativity as an act of courage and connection.

We believe art is truth, empathy, and voice. When we create, we remind the world what it means to feel free and what is lost when that freedom is threatened. The Fall of Freedom campaign unites galleries, libraries, and online communities in a celebration of creative resistance. Share your work and tell us what freedom means to you.

🖼️ Art matters. Artists matter. Freedom matters.


&

🦃 Grateful Art Festival 🦃

Right after Thanksgiving we gather to celebrate the best time of the year for artists, makers, and collectors. This festival is your chance to discover treasures for yourself and meaningful gifts for the people you love.

Explore a dazzling variety of hand crafted creations in ceramics, jewelry, glass, photography, wood, fiber, metal, wearable art, digital works, paintings, prints and so much more. With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Artist Sunday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday all in one week, the Grateful Art Festival is the perfect way to shop with purpose, support creativity, and fill your holidays with beauty.


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:
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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

🐶 HAPPY 12TH SCOUT-IVERSARY! 🐶

 🐶 HAPPY 12TH SCOUT-IVERSARY! 🐶








🐶 Previous Scout-iversarys! 🐶
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Friday, April 25, 2025

🌞 Sun Setting On America 🌞

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🌞Sun Setting On America 🌞
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 

The darkness of night slowly gives way to the hope of a new morning.  The brilliance growing by the minute until it reachs its peak.  And then the luster gradually begins to give way.  The momentum building.  Suddenly the sun is gone.  We pursue and grasp for the happiness of the radiance that was ours so recently.  We are left yearning for the return of the light. 

This painting would look best in a medium-to-small space that is green, blue, white, black, grey, beige, or wood.

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:
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Monday, February 24, 2025

🖤 Does having empathy take strength? 🖤

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🖤 Sunset Sherbert Birch Forest 🖤
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: 

I count my breaths as I enter the woods. It calms my thoughts and helps me to relax. The chaos and cravings of the world evaporate with every step. If you're fortunate enough to find the mysterious pass, then you enter into paradise. This is the magic of the forest.

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

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, February 7, 2025

💗💙 Who do I love? 💙💗

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty 


💗💙 Twilight Woods 💙💗
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202005034
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/244918409

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, yellow, green, dark navy blue, purple, black, white, grey, beige, or wood.


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, January 24, 2025

🌠 What can I do right now to make today better? 🌠

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty


🌠 Twilight Woods 🌠
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202008064
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
To purchase for your home, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/241430801

We took a late-night adventure away from the city's light pollution.  NEOWISE was visiting our sky for the first time in 6,766 years.  On its last stopover to Earth, humans were just figuring out how to domestic pigs.  How far we've come.  The stars shoot and silence is intoxicating.  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.

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.

Until one day, my boss insulted me. After years of being yelled at, micromanaged, and “thrown under the bus” for their incompetence; I had enough. 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 business.

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:
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