Made my grandson this caterpillar with a top hat..just gotta put his legs on 🧶🎩🧶

🍁 Tell me about a place in nature that still feels safe whenever life becomes overwhelming. 🍁

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

I step into the forest and feel my shoulders soften as the air turns cool and clean, the ground whispering with the crunch of leaves under my boots while a pale birch rises ahead of me like a quiet guardian, its branches holding a warm glow of gold and ember red that seems to breathe with the season. In that moment the noise I carried in fades, replaced by the steady rhythm of my steps and the gentle hush of wind moving through the trees, reminding me that nothing needs to be rushed and that it is safe to simply be here. I run my fingers along the smooth bark, notice the faint scent of damp earth and sunlight, and feel a small kind of magic where worries loosen their grip and my thoughts find space to settle.

When was the last time you let a walk in nature slow your breath and remind you that you belong to something larger and kinder than whatever you are carrying right now?

🍁 Autumn Birch 🍁

For a peaceful moment, please visit

https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/539209116

🩷 Do you ever use creativity to make sense of difficult moments? 🩷

I recently chatted with Bold Journey to talk about art, resilience, childhood sketchbooks, finding beauty in difficult moments, and why I'm still figuring life out as I go.

It ended up being a surprisingly personal conversation, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my story.

Read here: https://boldjourney.com/meet-mike-kraus

✨🖼️ 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?

Rochester Fine Art Market

1210 Culver Road

Rochester, NY, 14609 United States

(585) 455-3356

bobwagnerrealestate@gmail.com

🎴🃏Join us for the Artist Trading Card (ACEO) Festival! 🎴🃏

The Artist Trading Cards (ACEO) Gallery is hosting a party August 3rd-5th! Buy, sell, trade, collect, or share your ACEOs and ATCs while connecting with artists and collectors from around the world, discovering incredible miniature artworks, and celebrating creativity in a fun and welcoming community. Sign up at:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1390215639617927

I wanted this piece to feel like looking at nature from above—lush green hills slowly flowing into cool blue water.
It combines punch needle, tufting, crochet, chunky yarn, pom-poms, and a lot of different textures. Instead of making everything flat, I tried building small “ecosystems” so every section has its own depth and personality.

🩷🦉💚 What's it like to lock eyes with a wild creature and feel as though it recognizes something in you? 🩷🦉💚

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

🩷🦉💚 Pink and Green Chevron Owl 🩷🦉💚

I froze on the trail when I spotted the owl perched among branches. Its eyes locked onto mine with startling intensity, and it let out a sharp squawk that cut through the quiet air. I could hear every rustle of leaves around me and felt as though I had stepped into a place where the ordinary rules of the world no longer applied.

I stayed there longer than I expected, meeting its gaze and feeling an unexpected sense of connection instead of unease. The cool breeze brushed my cheeks while the owl watched me as if it had been waiting for me to arrive. That brief encounter left me feeling calmer, more present, and strangely reminded that moments of wonder still exist in everyday life.

Has a wild animal ever made you feel completely seen?

Burdock, Falcaria, Reeds, Oat and Thistle, 15 x 22''/14 x 20''/ 8 x 12''

Acrylic paint on wood