What happens when the thing we turn to for comfort becomes the thing that changes us?

Some songs explore temptation. Others explore addiction. And sometimes, a song becomes something much more personal: an attempt to understand the choices we make when we are at our lowest.

From Brinker James’ debut album, Wooden Shield, comes “Grand Exchange,” a song about alcoholism, temptation, and the complicated experience of confronting our own moral failings.

When I asked Ben Saunders about the song’s origins, he shared something deeply personal. “Grand Exchange” was written after a series of incidents involving alcohol in which he had severely let down his wife, who was his girlfriend at the time. He described feeling lower than he ever had in his life. The song became his way of working through those experiences.

That background changes how I hear the opening lines.

“Walked to a storefront and said ‘It’s me, again’
Sturdy aging man said, have you not always been you?”

What initially sounds like a humorous, almost dreamlike conversation takes on a much more personal meaning. The narrator is returning to a familiar place, confronting familiar behavior, and perhaps struggling with the person he has become. Ben explained that the storefront represents a State Store (a government-run shop with a monopoly on selling liquor in Pennsylvania), and the store clerk serves as the “tempter”. The sturdy aging man, meanwhile, acts as a “voice of reason”. He questions the narrator, challenges him, and even pokes fun at his decisions.

The narrator is caught between these two figures. One represents the temptation he knows all too well. The other represents the part of himself that understands the consequences. Then comes the refrain.

“Turn me to a dancer,
Turn me to a story,
Turn me to a madman”

Ben explained that these words are directed specifically at alcohol itself. This is particularly compelling. The narrator is not simply describing a temptation. He is speaking directly to it, asking it to transform him: a dancer. a story. a madman. Perhaps these are different versions of the person he hopes to become, or different ways of escaping the person he currently is. But the song’s transformation is not necessarily a positive one.

“You taste like prayers that tell me it’s all been for me
Tell me it’s all been for me”

The language of prayer suggests comfort, reassurance, and even a sense of being deserving. Yet the narrator is addressing something that has already caused him considerable pain. That contradiction is at the heart of the song. The temptation offers something that feels good in the moment, even as the narrator knows it may lead somewhere destructive.

Ben also shared something fascinating about the song’s musical construction. He wanted the instrumentation to capture the complex disorientation we experience during our weakest moments. As the layers of music build, they represent the compounding emotions and events that can snowball into some of our worst decisions.

Listening with that in mind, the song’s atmosphere feels particularly revealing. It is intimate and vulnerable, but it also seems to grow into something almost epic. The music becomes an emotional landscape, reflecting the confusion and intensity of the narrator’s internal struggle. Eventually, the characters melt away.

“Then they all melted away.”

Ben explained that by this point, the narrator has abandoned the debate. He has given up arguing with the voice of reason and surrendered to his craving. It is a chilling moment because the decision seems to happen almost without resolution. The temptation wins, and the other voices disappear. The song concludes with another unexpected image.

“A nearby priest saw us all
and shook his head,
But he could not help,
for he was divorced now.”

Even the priest, someone we might associate with redemption, is unable to offer help. His own experiences have complicated the role we might expect him to play. This ending reinforces the song’s humanity. People are complicated. We make mistakes. We disappoint others. And sometimes, the people we imagine might have all the answers are struggling with their own lives.

There is also an interesting detail in the song’s title. Ben explained that “Grand Exchange” is a reference to RuneScape, a game in which players buy and sell items at a place called the “Grand Exchange”. That adds another layer to the song’s imagery of exchange. What are we trading? What do we hope to receive? And what might we lose in the process?

When I created the cover artwork for Wooden Shield, I spent a great deal of time thinking about the experiences that shape us, the choices we make, and the ways our lives change. “Grand Exchange” explores a particularly difficult part of that journey. What makes this song especially meaningful to me is that it is not simply an abstract story about temptation. It is rooted in Ben’s own experience, and in his effort to confront a painful period of his life through songwriting.

That kind of honesty can be difficult to share. And I think it is one of the things that makes music so powerful.

What do you think we exchange when we give in to temptation?

Listen to the full song at:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/575F4TQMu4CkKH5GqLqgC8
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/grand-exchange/6795075059
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/tracks/B0HBQL6JZV
Deezer: https://link.deezer.com/s/34OqE3SDXtILmEnRMTtk9
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/credits/brinker-james/wooden-shield/grand-exchange/TRkvPkZdq95mXrm

Follow Brinker James:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinkerjamesmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brinkerjames

A Home That Feels Like You

There’s something special about this time of year. The days grow shorter, the colors outside begin to fade, and our homes become the places where we gather, celebrate, and make memories.

Maybe you’re getting ready to welcome family and friends for Thanksgiving. Maybe you’re adding a few cozy touches before the winter holidays. Or perhaps you’re simply looking around your home and thinking, I’d love something new to brighten this space.

Whatever the reason, this is a wonderful time to surround yourself with things that tell your story.

One of the places that continues to inspire me is the Adirondacks. During a hike to Indian Head, I experienced the kind of spectacular scenery that makes you stop, take a breath, and appreciate where you are. The sweeping views and the beauty of the landscape stayed with me, inspiring my painting of the Blue Mountains of the Adirondacks.

Art can change the feeling of a room without changing everything else. It can remind us of a favorite place, bring the colors of nature indoors, or give us something wonderful to discover each time we walk past it.

And when it comes to gift giving, I think the most memorable presents are often the ones that feel personal. Something that reflects someone’s interests, captures a place they love, or makes them think, That is so me! Whether you’re looking for an original painting, a print, an art card, or a digital piece, there are many ways to discover artwork that suits your style and your plans for the season.

So as you prepare your home for the holidays, why not make room for something that inspires you?

DISCOVER MY ADIRONDACK PAINTING
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/619698233

Thanks for being part of my creative world. I’m grateful that art gives us so many ways to connect with places, memories, and one another.

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
http://www.MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

P.S. 🦃 The Grateful Art Festival 🦃 opens November 27! Discover unique artwork, handmade treasures, and thoughtful gifts from independent artists and makers.

Explore the Festival and RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1030947379845046

🍂 What if the thing that promises to change your life is the very thing that begins to unravel it? 🍂
🎵 Listen and discover the mystery behind Grand Exchange:
https://open.spotify.com/track/575F4TQMu4CkKH5GqLqgC8

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.
 — 
Keep doing good things and good things will happen.

Mike Kraus
http://www.MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

When life feels crowded with constant demands, I long for a place where I can breathe deeply, quiet my thoughts, and reconnect with what matters most. At Sims Jennings Preserve on Cayuga Lake, I find that Freedom along nearly two miles of trails winding through wooded glens, past cascading waterfalls, and toward breathtaking lake views. I hear the gentle rush of flowing creeks and the songs of migrating birds, reminding me that I do not have to hurry to make the most of my day. Here, I can trade the pressure to keep up for the simple pleasure of being present, discovering a sense of peace that stays with me long after I leave.

I believe the best version of myself emerges when I make room for nature, adventure, and connection. Every visit to this remarkable preserve brings me closer to the person I aspire to be, someone who values open spaces, protects the beauty of Cayuga Lake, and understands that the places we cherish are worth saving for future generations. Created through the generosity of local landowners and supporters, this special place is a reminder that conservation begins with people who care and grows stronger when a community comes together. When I walk these trails, I feel part of something bigger than myself, a shared commitment to keeping nature accessible and our connection to it alive.

What if your next great escape could do more than restore your spirit and help you discover where you truly belong?

🌊 Sims-Jennings Preserve on Cayuga Lake 🌊
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202608045
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
For a beautiful connection with nature, please visit:
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/696666366
or buy direct at:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct-from-mike-kraus-art.html

🍂 What if the world you’ve always known was kind… because you were sheltered from everything that wasn’t? 🍂
🎵 Listen and discover the story behind Under the Leaves:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29

Discover art that speaks to who you are, inspires who you want to become, and brings a little more beauty and meaning into your everyday life at the Rochester Fine Art Market, where Upstate New York’s creative spirit brings art lovers together. I would love for you to stop by, explore the work of local artists, and find a piece that feels uniquely yours: https://rochesterfineartmarket.com

🦃 YOU’RE INVITED TO THE GRATEFUL ART FESTIVAL! 🦃
🎨 Discover beautiful artwork.
💜 Meet creative people.
🎁 Find something meaningful.
November 27 to December 1st! What are you grateful for this season? ❤️
🦃 Join us! 👇
https://www.facebook.com/events/1030947379845046

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/MikeKrausArt
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

Some songs capture a moment in time. Others take on a different meaning as we grow older. For Andrew Glaser of the Pittsburgh indie folk duo Brinker James, “Under the Leaves” is one of those songs.

Originally written as a poem many years ago, the song reflects a time when Andrew was beginning to understand how differently people can experience the world. Having grown up with relatively little hardship, he found it difficult to understand the experiences of someone he cared about who had endured significant childhood trauma. Their lives had given them very different perspectives, and Andrew found himself confronting a world that was unfamiliar to him.

At the time, innocence felt like a barrier to empathy and connection. But time has a way of changing how we see things. When Andrew revisited the poem while creating Wooden Shield, Brinker James’ debut album, he was no longer looking at it from the same perspective. He had experienced some of life’s hardships himself. As he put it, he had “climbed out of the leaves.”

His understanding of innocence had changed, too. What once felt like something that kept him from understanding others had become something he realized he should have cherished. As Andrew reflected on how his understanding of empathy had evolved, he offered a little humor alongside the wisdom: “Be careful what you wish for…” followed with humble laughter.

I find that shift in perspective particularly moving. We sometimes believe we need to experience another person’s suffering before we can understand them. Experience can certainly teach us things we could never learn otherwise. But perhaps we can also learn to appreciate the good fortune we have known while making a genuine effort to understand those whose lives have been different.

That is one of the things I appreciate about songs that grow alongside their writers. The original words remain, but the person singing them has changed. And suddenly, the song holds something new.

Listen to the full song at:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/under-the-leaves/6795075056
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/tracks/B0HBQJ3BWV
Deezer: https://link.deezer.com/s/34yvG17aRuOnIA4xYuNDc
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/brinker-james/wooden-shield/under-the-leaves/TRtqJqPhfq9vzdP

Follow Brinker James:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinkerjamesmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brinkerjames

I know what it means to be shaped by a neighborhood, to carry its energy, its character, and its stories with me wherever I go. It is in the familiar corners where people gather, the old trees that have watched generations come and go, and the everyday places where friendships grow and dreams begin. I want to keep reaching for something bigger while staying connected to the people and places that remind me who I am. To me, belonging is not about standing still or fitting a mold. It is about having the confidence to grow, the Freedom to be myself, and the support of a community that makes room for everyone.

As the winter sun sets over the snow covered plaza, the familiar surroundings take on a different kind of beauty. A tree stands watch, a small statue marks the heart of the space, and graffiti stretches across the lower walls, bringing bold new expression to a place steeped in neighborhood history. I see a reflection of the way communities evolve, honoring what came before while making space for new voices, new ambitions, and new possibilities. I want my home to remind me that my roots are a source of strength, that my dreams are worth pursuing, and that the best things in life are made richer when shared with others.

What if the place that makes you feel most at home is also the place that inspires you to become everything you dream of being?

⛪️ St. Charles Borromeo Church in South Philadelphia ⛪️
202610050
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
Make your space feel more like you with a little Philly character:
FRAMED: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4601018473
PRINT: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4601015273
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/4601020134

🍂 What if the world you’ve always known was kind… because you were sheltered from everything that wasn’t? 🍂
🎵 Listen and discover the story behind Under the Leaves:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29

Discover art that speaks to who you are, inspires who you want to become, and brings a little more beauty and meaning into your everyday life at the Rochester Fine Art Market, where Upstate New York’s creative spirit brings art lovers together. I would love for you to stop by, explore the work of local artists, and find a piece that feels uniquely yours: https://rochesterfineartmarket.com

🦃 YOU’RE INVITED TO THE GRATEFUL ART FESTIVAL! 🦃
🎨 Discover beautiful artwork.
💜 Meet creative people.
🎁 Find something meaningful.
November 27 to December 1st! What are you grateful for this season? ❤️
🦃 Join us! 👇
https://www.facebook.com/events/1030947379845046

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/MikeKrausArt
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

I came here believing that Freedom was more than a promise whispered across an ocean. I believed it was the chance to build a home, to work with dignity, to raise my children without fear, and to become part of something larger than myself. I remember the smell of woodsmoke drifting through our neighborhood on cold evenings, the warmth of bread passed between neighbors, and the sound of children laughing in streets where people spoke a dozen different languages. We brought our hopes, our stories, our songs, and our determination to belong. We believed that the light in the harbor was meant for people like us. But lately, I have watched the ghouls emerge from the shadows, their faces hidden, their badges gleaming, their promises of order echoing through streets that once felt safe. They as for our papers as though a life can be reduced to a name on a page, as though belonging is a privilege they alone can grant or revoke.

Still, I refuse to believe that the goons get to decide what America means. I see it in the neighbor who opens a door, the stranger who offers a hand, the community that stands together when fear tries to divide us. My identity is not a file, my family is not a threat, and my dream of Freedom is not theirs to extinguish. Somewhere beyond the smoke, I still imagine that golden door, open wide enough for all of us, its light reaching those who have been told they do not belong. If America is truly a home built on Freedom, then we must decide whether we will be the people who guard the door against the frightened and the hopeful, or the people who hold it open and welcome them in.

When the ghouls come knocking, what kind of America will you choose to be part of?

☠️ Decisions of Destiny ☠️
acrylic paint on canvas board
8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202610053
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
For something hauntingly good, please visit:
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/257504539
or buy direct at:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct-from-mike-kraus-art.html

🍂 What if the world you’ve always known was kind… because you were sheltered from everything that wasn’t? 🍂
🎵 Listen and discover the story behind Under the Leaves:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29

Discover art that speaks to who you are, inspires who you want to become, and brings a little more beauty and meaning into your everyday life at the Rochester Fine Art Market, where Upstate New York’s creative spirit brings art lovers together. I would love for you to stop by, explore the work of local artists, and find a piece that feels uniquely yours: https://rochesterfineartmarket.com

🦃 YOU’RE INVITED TO THE GRATEFUL ART FESTIVAL! 🦃
🎨 Discover beautiful artwork.
💜 Meet creative people.
🎁 Find something meaningful.
November 27 to December 1st! What are you grateful for this season? ❤️
🦃 Join us! 👇
https://www.facebook.com/events/1030947379845046

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/MikeKrausArt
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

Autumn has a way of making us notice things we might otherwise overlook. The changing colors, the leaves gathering beneath our feet, the trees gradually revealing their branches. What once filled the canopy now covers the ground. But what if those fallen leaves could tell us a story?

On the cover of Wooden Shield, the debut album by Pittsburgh indie folk duo Brinker James, fallen leaves are among the most prominent elements of the landscape. They occupy a substantial part of the painting, and unlike some of the smaller symbols hidden throughout the composition, they are difficult to miss. Yet their significance goes beyond the season.

The leaves connect directly to one of the album’s songs, “Under the Leaves,” a song about innocence, shelter, and recognizing that the world beyond our own experience may be far more difficult than we realize.

A world beneath the leaves:
The song began as a poem written by Andrew Glaser, one half of Brinker James. Its central character is a boy who has never experienced the bitter cold of winter or the scorching heat of summer. His world has been gentle. He climbs trees, plays among fallen leaves, and sees little reason to believe that life could be anything other than kind. As Andrew and Ben Saunders developed the poem into a song, that image of childhood innocence became something more complicated. The boy is sheltered from the suffering around him. While the world outside is filled with pain, he remains protected beneath the leaves, unaware of what others experience. The song’s final lines bring that contrast into focus:

There’s a world outside
That screams so loud
Death and sadness
All around
A pile of leaves
Upon the ground
The boy inside them
Hears no sound

The image is striking. Leaves that once offered shade and shelter now lie on the ground, surrounding someone who remains unaware of the world beyond them. Andrew described the song’s meaning as recognizing that your own innocence can be difficult to confront when you have been sheltered from the pain of the world. That idea particularly compelling because the leaves represent two things at once. They offer protection, but that protection also keeps the boy from understanding what is happening beyond his immediate experience. There is nothing wrong with wanting to preserve the things that make life feel safe. But the song invites us to consider what we might fail to see when we have never needed to look beyond our own comfortable surroundings.

Why the leaves matter in the artwork:
When I created the cover artwork for Wooden Shield, I wanted the forest to be more than a beautiful background. The landscape brings together the passage of time, the cycles of nature, and the experiences that shape how we understand the world. The fallen leaves provide a particularly strong connection to those ideas. In autumn, leaves change color, detach from the branches, and settle on the forest floor. Something that once formed part of a living canopy becomes part of a different landscape. The leaves are no longer where they began, yet they remain part of the forest. There is beauty in that transformation, even when it marks the end of one stage of life.

For me, this connects with the boy in the song. His sheltered world has not necessarily been a bad thing. It has given him the Freedom to play, explore, and enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood. The question is whether he can eventually recognize the larger world around him without losing his ability to appreciate its beauty. The leaves are both a refuge and a reminder that the world keeps changing, whether we notice it or not. That feels especially appropriate in autumn, when the landscape itself makes change impossible to ignore.

Every leaf has its place:
One of the things I enjoy most about creating detailed artwork is that a finished painting can appear effortless, even when it has taken considerable thought to bring everything together. A forest may look natural and spontaneous, but every tree, branch, shadow, and patch of color contributes to the larger composition. The fallen leaves are no exception. Their placement helps establish the landscape, guide the viewer’s eye, and connect the physical environment to the ideas behind the music.

In a similar way, a finished song may sound as though it simply unfolded naturally. But songwriting involves choices. Words are changed, lines are rearranged, melodies are developed, and individual elements are brought together until they work as a whole.

Every leaf in the painting has its place, just as every note, lyric, and musical decision helps shape the finished song. That parallel is one of the things I appreciate about creating artwork for musicians. The painting and the music are different forms of expression, but both can be built from many small decisions that ultimately contribute to a larger experience. The goal is not simply to illustrate a song. It is to create a visual world that listeners can enter, explore, and interpret for themselves.

For music lovers, the cover offers another way to engage with the album. For artists and musicians, it is an example of how visual storytelling can extend the ideas in a recording beyond the sound itself. And for anyone interested in the creative industries, it is a reminder that thoughtful collaboration can give a project a stronger identity. Music and artwork do not have to compete for attention. They can deepen one another.

Seeing autumn differently:
As the leaves fall around us this season, I find myself thinking about how much our surroundings influence the way we see the world. A pile of leaves might be a place for a child to play, a sign that summer has passed, or simply something to rake up in the yard. In a painting, it can become a symbol of shelter, innocence, change, or the experiences we have yet to understand. The object remains the same. What changes is the meaning we bring to it.

That is part of what makes art and music so interesting. They give us opportunities to look again at familiar things and discover ideas we might not have noticed before. The leaves on the Wooden Shield cover are a prominent part of the forest landscape, but their connection to “Under the Leaves” gives them another purpose. They invite us to consider the relationship between the world that protects us and the world we have yet to discover.

Perhaps this autumn, when you see fallen leaves beneath a tree, you will think about them a little differently. And perhaps you will wonder what lies beyond your own familiar world.

Listen to the full song at:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/under-the-leaves/6795075056
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/tracks/B0HBQJ3BWV
Deezer: https://link.deezer.com/s/34yvG17aRuOnIA4xYuNDc
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/brinker-james/wooden-shield/under-the-leaves/TRtqJqPhfq9vzdP

Follow Brinker James:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinkerjamesmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brinkerjames

Some Moments Deserve a Place on Your Wall

Have you noticed how autumn never looks quite the same from one place to another?

Here in Upstate New York, the hills are bursting with color, the lakes reflect brilliant shades of blue, and the trees seem determined to give us one last spectacular show before winter arrives. Whether you’re out exploring the fall foliage or enjoying the view from home, there’s something magical about this time of year.

One of my favorite autumn memories came while enjoying a wine tasting at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery overlooking Keuka Lake. The surrounding landscape was alive with vibrant oranges reflecting with the beautiful blues of the lake. I wanted to capture that feeling and preserve a little of the magic.

The result was my original painting of Bluff Point at Keuka Lake.

Imagine bringing those vibrant colors into your own home.

Art can do more than fill an empty wall. It can bring back a favorite place, remind us of a wonderful experience, or give a room a whole new feeling. And when the world outside is changing with the seasons, a painting can let you hold on to a little of that beauty all year long.

If you’re refreshing your home for autumn, getting ready to welcome holiday guests, or searching for a special gift, an original painting can be a meaningful way to make a space your own.

I’d love for you to take a closer look at this piece and imagine where it might belong in your home.

DISCOVER KEUKA LAKE IN AUTUMN
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/226785876

Thank you for supporting my art and sharing in the beauty of the places that inspire it.

Your Friend,
Mike Kraus
https://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

PS: Ready to discover even more art? The online 🦃 Grateful Art Festival 🦃 opens November 27! Join me and other creative artists for a celebration of art, inspiration, and the joy of finding something special.

RSVP for the 🦃 Grateful Art Festival 🦃: https://www.facebook.com/events/1030947379845046

🍂 What if the world you’ve always known was kind… because you were sheltered from everything that wasn’t? 🍂
🎵 Listen and discover the story behind Under the Leaves:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29

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.
 — 
Keep doing good things and good things will happen.
Mike Kraus
https://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

A little dark humor and a whole lot of confidence make life more interesting. I embrace the beautifully imperfect, the playfully macabre, and the Freedom to be unapologetically myself, even when the world expects me to fit a mold. There is something deliciously rebellious about a vintage pinup attitude with a spooky twist, the kind that makes me smile at the sight of scarlet red glowing like a forbidden secret and reminds me that getting older does not mean losing my spark. I want my world to celebrate quirks, and make every day feel a little less ordinary. Halloween may bring out the skeletons, but I believe confidence, humor, and a wicked sense of style deserve a place in my life all year long.

I surround myself with people who appreciate a little mischief, laugh at life’s absurdities, and know that being authentic will always be more attractive than being perfect. I love finding those unexpected treasures that make my space feel like me, start conversations, and connect me with others who appreciate the darker, cheekier side of life.

So tell me, are you ready to embrace your beautifully wicked side and bring home a little Halloween attitude that will make your kind of people grin from ear to ear?

❤️💀 Pin-Up Skeleton 💀❤️
acrylic paint on canvas board
5" x 7" (12.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
202610052
© copyright Mike Kraus Art Inc.
For something hauntingly good, please visit:
https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/726585273
or buy direct at:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/buy-direct-from-mike-kraus-art.html

🍂 What if the world you’ve always known was kind… because you were sheltered from everything that wasn’t? 🍂
🎵 Listen and discover the story behind Under the Leaves:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29

Discover art that speaks to who you are, inspires who you want to become, and brings a little more beauty and meaning into your everyday life at the Rochester Fine Art Market, where Upstate New York’s creative spirit brings art lovers together. I would love for you to stop by, explore the work of local artists, and find a piece that feels uniquely yours: https://rochesterfineartmarket.com

🦃 YOU’RE INVITED TO THE GRATEFUL ART FESTIVAL! 🦃
🎨 Discover beautiful artwork.
💜 Meet creative people.
🎁 Find something meaningful.
November 27 to December 1st! What are you grateful for this season? ❤️
🦃 Join us! 👇
https://www.facebook.com/events/1030947379845046

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

For more information or custom order, please visit:
Store: http://MikeKrausArt.etsy.com
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/MikeKrausArt
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekrausart
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikekraus.bsky.social

There is something comforting about the idea of a world where you feel safe. A place where you can explore, make mistakes, climb trees, play among fallen leaves, and trust that everything will be okay. But what happens when you discover that not everyone grows up in that kind of world?

That question came to mind while reflecting on “Under the Leaves,” a song by Brinker James from their debut album, Wooden Shield. The song describes a boy whose world has been gentle. He has never experienced the bitter cold, the scorching heat, or the kind of suffering that can change how a person sees life. While the world beyond him is full of pain, he remains sheltered beneath a blanket of leaves.

“His world is kind,
Why should he stop?”

I find something touching about that idea. There is nothing wrong with feeling safe. In fact, I think one of the most valuable things we can give another person is the Freedom to experience Beauty, curiosity, and joy without constantly worrying about what might go wrong. But as we grow older, we begin to discover that the world looks very different depending on where we stand.

I have had experiences that reminded me of this. Sometimes, you meet someone or learn about a situation that reveals just how differently people can experience the same world. Things that seem ordinary to one person may be unimaginable to another. Opportunities that one person takes for granted may be completely out of reach for someone else. Those moments can be uncomfortable. They challenge our assumptions and remind us that our own experiences do not tell the whole story.

I think that is one of the interesting things about working with artists. We each bring our own experiences, perspectives, and interpretations to a creative project. A song can mean one thing to its writers and awaken something a little different in the person listening. I don’t want to presume that my interpretation of “Under the Leaves” is exactly what Ben Saunders and Andrew Glaser intended when they wrote it. Their song offers their own perspectives. But when I listen to it, I find myself thinking about the importance of protecting the things that make life beautiful, especially the sense of wonder that allows us to appreciate them.

When I created the cover artwork for Wooden Shield, I spent a great deal of time thinking about nature, the passage of time, and the experiences that shape us. A forest can feel like a refuge. The trees offer shelter, the leaves soften the ground, and sunlight filters through the branches. Yet the forest is also a place of constant change. Leaves fall, seasons turn, and life continues in ways we may not immediately notice.

I like that both ideas can exist together. We need places where we feel safe, but we also need the curiosity to look beyond them. Perhaps the goal isn’t to lose our innocence or become accustomed to suffering. Perhaps it’s to preserve our capacity for wonder while learning to recognize the experiences of people whose lives are different from our own. We can appreciate the shelter we have known without assuming everyone has had the same protection. We can enjoy our own good fortune while remaining open to understanding someone else’s hardships. And perhaps we can help create a world where more people have the opportunity to experience that same sense of safety and possibility.

That’s what I find myself thinking about when I listen to “Under the Leaves.” It’s a reminder that a song can take a simple image from nature and open a door to a much bigger conversation.

If you enjoy thoughtful music that invites you to look at familiar things a little differently, I hope you’ll give Brinker James a listen.

Listen to the full song at:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1KKilptxV6SgKDI0cGea29
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/under-the-leaves/6795075056
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/tracks/B0HBQJ3BWV Deezer: https://link.deezer.com/s/34yvG17aRuOnIA4xYuNDc Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/brinker-james/wooden-shield/under-the-leaves/TRtqJqPhfq9vzdP

Follow Brinker James:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinkerjamesmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brinkerjames