Sign in

Carolyn Paplham

@cpaplham.bsky.social
138 followers 236 following 362 posts

Graphic designer & illustrator, probably in need of a nap.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
EJ Miller-Larson @ejmillerlarson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Every child means EVERY child. All kids deserve to grow up in safety and love. Ms. Rachel is a badass who stands on that principal every day 💗 #art #illustration #indigenousart #lgbtq #queerart #pride #everychildmatters #msrachel #library #reading
An illustration of Ms. Rachel standing in front of a rainbow. She is smiling and waving. Behind her are the words "Every child deserves to feel safe."
093
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Just heard a child at work use the word “skedaddle.” Maybe there’s hope for literacy yet…?
static.klipy.com
Man Fingers Crossed, Hopeful
Alt: A gif of Terry Crews crossing his fingers in hope
020
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I used to live next to a very active set of tracks and wondered if there was some sort of unwritten agreement about not painting over car numbers—nice to see that hunch confirmed!
020
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Bad cold (maybe even sinus infection??) has totally effed up my whole week. Why does stuff like this keep happening why can’t I just stay (relatively) healthy for more than a day or two at a time 🫠
100
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Screamer Jim @screamerjim.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The Springfield Ohio bullshit is like, the most pronounced and clear cut example of American moral rot I’ve seen in forever. Literally asking Haitians to come to revitalize your hollowed-out community, and then subjecting them to this racial terror and humiliation after they do? Fucking hell
222583588
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Are you kidding me, universe? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Why do we keep losing the good ones, whyyy
070
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Watching the right try to claim Dolly Parton the same way they do with Norman Rockwell: blindfolded and grasping at straws 🙄
140
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Canada has literally been the best neighbor a country could ask for and it is an absolute horror show watching how this administration is treating them. How does everything just keep getting WORSE
020
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Matthew Dow Smith @matthewdowsmith.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This whole AI scrapers going after Cara thing is really driving home how much the mentality of these people is the same as an abuser. The lack of consent excites them. It turns them on. And that's deeply messed up and pathetic.
121416579
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Kasey Gifford @kaseygifford.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The more GEN AI creeps into everyday life the more people will miss the amateur art around them. School murals done by students, hole-in-the-wall restaurant menus put together by an employee using free clipart, even "bad" paintings done at a drink and paint event-Things with human imperfections.
372337665
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
E.J. Su -蘇義傑 @ejsu28.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
If you wonder why I HATE GenAI so much, it's because they HATE us. We said 'no' but they took them anyways, don't they sound a lot of rapists? I am sorry, if you think you are just using GenAI for shit and giggles, no, you are not so innocent.
7294137
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I normally abhor the idea of sending a mean email, but this felt like standing up to a bully and therefore necessary. (Names redacted in case this breaks containment; I'm not interested in sending a mob after anyone.)
A screencap of an email exchange between an Anthropic recruiter and myself. The email was sent to me in error; I took advantage of the situation to reply with how I feel about AI companies.
020
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
lol'ing because these AI schmucks think they're SO SMART and yet don't even know how to email the right person (Guess who got an email from a recruiter at Anthropic for a DIFFERENT PAPLHAM. WTF.)
040
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Also...talking with a Crowley-voter yesterday (against my will; I *don't* want to talk politics at work but got cornered) and I explained that Hong's strong stance against data centers is one of the reasons why I voted for her. "Oh, what's that? I've never heard of that and don't know what it is!"
110
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Once again, Wisconsin disappoints me. A woman can put in an immense amount of hard work and dedication and have the people's best interests at heart and still lose to a man who initially *quit* the race when the going got tough.
130
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Small Robots @smolrobots.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
You wouldn't know it from how some people talk, but it is incredibly easy to not use AI for anything.
22742220
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Shiro Sirius @shirosiri.us · 29/07/2026
I don’t want to be too sensationalist about this but also I’m the least violent person in the world and I think if someone said this to my face I’d hit them
"A physical book is a delivery mechanism for information," it continues.
"Once that information has been extracted and encoded into an Al model, the delivery mechanism has served its purpose. What remains is paper, ink, and binding material. The book is not destroyed. Its value has migrated.
The paper returns to the material cycle; the knowledge enters the intellectual one."
10731401324
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Seconding this as a lifelong Wisconsinite— @secase.bsky.social’s Rigsby WI is SO GOOD.
061
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Blair Shedd @onegemini.com · 21/07/2026
So I’m making the call. And I’m here now and I’m saying that this is the best writing and artwork of my career thus far, and I’m sad for you if you don’t get in on this in the next 65 hours! That’s the last new pitch I have. www.kickstarter.com/projects/one...
kickstarter.com
The Worlds Between Us: A Tale of Vermont Magic and Horror
A graphic novel from comic book creator Blair Shedd (Doctor Who, Rick and Morty, Robotech, Ghostbusters)
043
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Rikaku @beastmasterrika.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Fuck off. If anything is "millennial", it's those cool transparent colors our iMacs, Gameboys, and Tamagotchis came in. No fucking millennial likes the house flipper grey. Call it a millennial paint job when I can see through the exterior of a car because it's Glacier Purple like my GBA.
An image showing the colorful transparent plastic of various pieces of technology of the 90's and early 2000s, that were easily the popular choice of the millennial age bracket. Some of the tech is an iMac, Nintendo 64, Sega DreMcast, a PlayStation 2, a Gameboy color and Advance, and CD player.
180103324087
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
VagabondRogue @vagabondrogue.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
🦄
27762
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Mith @mithmeoi.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
It's #PortfolioDay! I'm Kris, freelance illustrator and hobbyist animator. I've done a lot of work over the years for businesses and private clientele. Currently working on my own personal projects but also open for commission. thegreykitty.net 🔗
210935
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Angela Hsieh @hisiheyah.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I'm Angela, an illustrator looking to work on book covers and interior illustrations! I published a graphic novel last year. I love drawing animals, real and fantastical. #PortfolioDay Portfolio: www.angela-hsieh.com Email: angelahsiehart[at]gmail[dot]com Rep'd by @jenazantian.bsky.social
Mock book cover for a story titled "Awakening." A young woman stands in a winter storm, holding a branch with glowing blossoms. Behind her, a dragon made of wood opens one vivid green eye. Illustration of an enormous tree in the middle of an oasis, sheltering all manners of desert life. Hidden in the roots of the tree is a glowing red spark. The border of the illustration depicts stylized linear versions of desert flora and fauna, including giant armadillo-like creatures, scaled wolves, jackrabbits, lizards, and succulents. Cover for the middle grade fantasy graphic novel, LU AND REN'S GUIDE TO GEOZOOLOGY by Angela Hsieh. Two twelve year old girls, Lu and Ren, run along a shore brimming with grasses and flowers. Giant axolotls float lazily in the lake behind them. Cover for the middle grade nonfiction book, ANTARCTICA: THE MELTING CONTINENT by Karen Romano Young, illustrated by Angela Hsieh. A small research vessel is dwarfed by a enormous glacier. Seals and penguins rest on floating ice. Below the water, orcas and fish frolic.
0105
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The polar opposite reactions here to the deaths of Sam Neill and Lindsey Graham are such a reminder that we all have a choice whether to live our lives in a way that brings joy or misery to those around us. I think if you’re remembered fondly as Sam Neill is today, you’ve pretty much won at life.
1650911048
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Twonks @twonks.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Great job 👏
9099273233
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Trump doesn’t force people to do bad things. All he did was show people they could get away with being horrible if they really wanted to, and a lot of powerful people decided they didn’t need to pretend anymore. Especially those in influential positions who could push back but did not.
14998922536
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Cursed Charley @cursedcharley.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
We didn't know it at the time but we really did have a great spot...
112439
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Duncan Jones @manmademoon.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
The idea that we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead seems ridiculous to me. What more important time is there to set the public memory of the good or bad a person has put into the world than when they die. It’s the gift we give to those we loved, and the bill due for those who made others miserable.
661867430
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Neil The Seal Killed In Shootout With Authorities — theonion.com/neil-the-sea...
theonion.com
Neil The Seal Killed In Shootout With Authorities
SEVEN MILE BEACH, AUSTRALIA—In a shocking and violent scene that left the local marine mammal dead and dozens of others injured, Neil the Seal was reportedly killed in a shootout Friday with authoriti...
110
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I once asked a priest to bless a printer that I was in the middle of fighting with and he went "I only bless things when there's a chance it'll take" and then turned and walked out of the room.
9668501918
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Max Berger @maxberger.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
This is actually the perfect distillation of the fascist mindset of tech oligarchs—they want working people to blame immigrants and people of color, so we don’t unite against the oligarchs.
17639194
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Julian Sanchez @normative.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
It is seriously alarming how many of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful people are just screamingly mentally unwell in deeply toxic, dangerous ways.
7380362183
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Pam Wishbow @pamwishbow.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Every time I see an AI book cover discussion it makes me want to scream. Some people have disconnected that making something costs money, if you don’t have that money you cannot make the thing. If having a book cover is necessary I suggest budgeting for that the way the rest of us budget projects
1149091
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
dear pope leo please kick his ass literally, this time
130
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Mamdani's revolutionary idea that has entrenched power scared is that he wants to a.) listen to people and b.) help them.
361668400
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Owen Dennis: Infinity Train/Among Us Show creator @owendennis.com · 25/06/2026
I don't want to be a small business owner, I just wanna get paid to make stuff that I'm good and enjoy making.
923447
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I miss playing video games 😭
120
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
We need more rich people with normal interests like "your movie sounds neat" instead of, like, white fertility rates.
106103212198
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Genel Jumalon 🍉 Fan X Salt Lake @geneljumalon.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
People like Kane and many many others that do care about human art and the creative process have been a beacon of hope while trying to navigate making art in this current climate.
CBS MORNINGS ON YOUTUBE (JUNE 4, 2026)

Interviewer: I read that you do not want to embrace Al.

Kane: Absolutely not.

For me the whole point of doing what I'm doing-art is a way of processing life. I don't see the value in outsourcing any element of that.

When I'm looking at someone else's project, if I see an element of the environment [where] they use generative fill or whatever to change something about the scene, it just shuts off the part of my brain that wants to know more about that world. Because I would assume if they're willing to make an arbitrary choice there, they could make an arbitrary choice with literally anything.
84210736432
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
What the hey, I’m on an art-posting roll so I might as well share this little guy today too. A happy little ace seal! #animalart #seal #pridemonth
A cartoony drawing of a happy little harbor seal. The seal's color scheme (purple, white, gray, black) represents the asexual pride flag.
2176
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Wishing everyone a fantastical Pride month! May it be full of hope, joy, and the steely resolve to stand together no matter what the future has in store. #illustration #pridemonth #dragons
A collection of ten tiny, joyful dragons illustrated in the color schemes of various LGBTQ+ Pride flags. From the top, left to right: traditional rainbow pride/gay, bisexual, transgender, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, gender queer & agender, non-binary, aromantic.
1157
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
What the hey, I’m on an art-posting roll so I might as well share this little guy today too. A happy little ace seal! #animalart #seal #pridemonth
A cartoony drawing of a happy little harbor seal. The seal's color scheme (purple, white, gray, black) represents the asexual pride flag.
2176
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Wishing everyone a fantastical Pride month! May it be full of hope, joy, and the steely resolve to stand together no matter what the future has in store. #illustration #pridemonth #dragons
A collection of ten tiny, joyful dragons illustrated in the color schemes of various LGBTQ+ Pride flags. From the top, left to right: traditional rainbow pride/gay, bisexual, transgender, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, gender queer & agender, non-binary, aromantic.
1157
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
waldokanto.bsky.social @waldokanto.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Marjane Satrapi 1969-2026
45104853380
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Been trying to work hand-lettered art into my drawing routine lately—besides being an enjoyable challenge, it also offers a venue for venting some of my frustrations with the world at large. #illustration #handlettering #empathy #lovethyneighbor
A hand-lettered illustration, reading “guilty of the sin of empathy.” The color scheme is composed of bright oranges, yellows, and blues. “Guilty” is illustrated in the style of a cursive ribbon, while the words “of”, “the”, and “of” again are in a thin sans-serif style. “Sin” is in a simple but elegant heavy serifed style, while “empathy” is in a bold and commanding but slightly playful style. There are four-pointed concave sparkles sprinkled throughout.
086
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Been trying to work hand-lettered art into my drawing routine lately—besides being an enjoyable challenge, it also offers a venue for venting some of my frustrations with the world at large. #illustration #handlettering #empathy #lovethyneighbor
A hand-lettered illustration, reading “guilty of the sin of empathy.” The color scheme is composed of bright oranges, yellows, and blues. “Guilty” is illustrated in the style of a cursive ribbon, while the words “of”, “the”, and “of” again are in a thin sans-serif style. “Sin” is in a simple but elegant heavy serifed style, while “empathy” is in a bold and commanding but slightly playful style. There are four-pointed concave sparkles sprinkled throughout.
086
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I have been struggling with humanity as a whole for a lot of reasons (as I’m sure most of us are), but every time someone brings a rescued critter to the front desk at work I’m reminded that despite it all, there are still kind and compassionate people out there.
120
Carolyn Paplham @cpaplham.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
This is good and I do believe people who sincerely regret making bad decisions should have the opportunity to redeem themselves, but hoooo boy does he have a lot of work ahead of him. What a way to trash your reputation in less than 24 hours. Just nuts that he ever thought this was a good idea.
0137
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
Kurt @kaatokunart.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Shoutout to everyone who choose to create in spite of everything
72108803944
Reposted by Carolyn Paplham
jude paw picture diary 🥪 @judepaw.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
actually i kinda *do* think using genAI should be such a social faux pas that the user is marked as a pariah and no longer feels welcome in the community. "AI is bad" is no longer an abstract (it never was), my city has been under a boil water advisory for a week because of AI data centers
884403599