iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

this teddy bear smells like corn chips

A short-haired person in a black tshirt snuggles a German shepherd on a bed with blue sheets

Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

What’s a term for “thirst trap but I’m just posting it because I’m starting to be happy with the way I look” ? Right and wrong answers welcome #selfie

A short-haired person with shoulder tattoos and wearing a gray tank top looks side-on at the camera with a slightly self conscious expression while doing a thumbs up.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Happy oh-no-loud-bang day from this sweet girl who is absolutely zooted on trazodone.

A fluffy German shepherd making a goofy smiling face with her eyes closed.

A German shepherd, ears back but squinting into the camera with a dopey smile on her face.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Gay icons in #fantasy novels—I’ll go first: Alanna of Trebond (Tamara Pierce’s Tortall series) Who are your faves? What books are they from? I wanna know! #Pride

A young person with chin-length red hair, shown from the waist up, wearing red and gold armor and wielding a double-handed sword.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Happy #Pride, queerness is powerful. Down with haters, we’re having more fun anyway.

A black and white cartoon reversal of the Greco-Roman statue of Perseus killing Medusa. Medusa holds a sword in one hand and Perseus’ head in the other. Next to the drawing is text that reads “there, I fixed it.”

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

TONIGHT! 8pm eastern, join me (virtually! and for free!) as I explore the science behind the reconstruction of Ötzi, a man whose 5,000-years-old remains were frozen in ice until 1991. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com/events/697cc... #archaeology #mystery #science #murder

A goof on the CSI thumbnail, this has the Ted Danson character’s head replaced (poorly) with the face of Ötzi, a man who died around 5,000 years ago.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

I made some calzones and only one came out haunted! #dinner

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Good morning, we are hanging in there and hope you are too. #dog

A close view from ground level of a tan German shepherd’s face with black and pink nose and a person with short dark hair and glasses leaning on the dog’s head and taking the selfie.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Fiddle and I had different opinions about taking a cute snuggle selfie.

A photo of a person with glasses and a blue plaid flannel mostly off the left side of the picture, while trying to take a snuggly selfie (unsuccessfully) with a fluffy German shepherd. Both the person and dog are lying on a wood floor.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I painted some lemons because I wanted something sunny and cheerful amongst the raging horrors.

A painting of lemons in a sort of impressionistic style. There’s a whole lemon on the right, half a lemon in the middle, and a wedge on the left.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Holiday greetings from the sidewalks of West Philly.

A leaf of Swiss chard with a red stem on a concrete sidewalk. The leaf resembles a christmas tree and there is a cartoon star drawn above it. At the bottom of the image it says “merry christmas.”

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

This idea came to me in a dream, and even in the dream I thought “well, this is silly.” Gonna make a few more prints and put them up for sale in my shop. If you also feel like a fishperson who tried real hard, you can get one of your own. thinglearner.squarespace.com/shop

A black and white print of a goofy looking fish with human legs walking aimlessly. The print also reads “well, I tried.”

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Hello! I got my shit together and set up a shop page on my website! I’m doing a limited run of several of my favorite prints for now. Eventually I’ll have an option for original pieces and commissions! You can buy ‘em! I’d love it if you did. #gifts #art thinglearner.squarespace.com/shop

A person with glasses and short dark hair, wearing a light grey hoodie. They are holding a black and white print of a skeleton, with the words “I support you” next to it. They would like you to browse and perhaps purchase their art at thinglearner.squarespace.com/shop

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Interesting, but regrettably I *did* have to zoom in on the Vitruvian Man’s mathematically-proportioned dongle to see what the article was even talking about.

The title image of a Science Alert article featuring the Vitruvian man by Da Vinci. “HIDDEN DETAIL IN CROTCH SOLVES A 500 YEAR OLD LEONARDO DA VINCI MYSTERY.”

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

My dad sent me a nice photo this morning. Hope you also enjoy it, internet pals. :)

A dappled dark gray sidewalk with a pinkish, heart-shaped redbud leaf. The leaf is covered in big fat rain droplets.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Just over here doing the art my 12-year-old self would’ve been super into

A black and white print from a lino-cut block of a flying dragon spitting fire at a knight. The knight has a shield up and sword out but it doesn’t look great for him.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

I really like how this one came out! Mammoth lino cut print with acrylic ink — I just need to get the coating of ink a little smoother.

A printing block (carved rectangle of light blue rubber) of a mammoth skeleton and body silhouette.

The print from the mammoth block — black and white, mammoth facing to the right, a mirror image of the block.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

I finished the owl painting finally, after…I don’t know, at least six repaints??? #art #birds #owls #nature #painting #painters

An easel propping up a large canvas painted with a horned owl swooping down to perch on a stump. It’s painted in tones of green, brown, yellow, and a peachy pink. This thing took me SO LONG y’all

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

#kids #education #BooksForKids My #book with @neonsquidbooks.bsky.social is coming out SO SOON and is available for preorder now! If you like #history, #archaeology, obscure facts, and #games — this is for you! Great for kids aged 6+, also great for adults. Check out this sneak peek:

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

This was a really ambitious project and it has sat on my easel for weeks while I roughed it out, blocked in colors, decided I hated it, re-shaped some bits, and so on and so on. Finally almost where I want it to be, though, and I’m glad I stuck with it. #birds #art #painting #owl #nature

An easel set up with a large painting of a horned owl swooping down towards a stump, wings spread to slow down and talons out to grab the perch.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

this painting is starting to come together! I think I just really like painting water, it’s so soothing. Shares and compliments welcome 🙃 #art #painting #landscape #waterfall #water #nature

An unfinished acrylic painting of a view of Paterson Falls, NJ. Colors are mostly greys and greens with some touches of purple and yellow. There are some small waterfalls at the back of the composition and a view of the river flowing outwards from there.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Do you want to learn about some of the oddest, coolest historical and archaeological artifacts from all over the world? Great news! I wrote a #book for you! Each GORGEOUS page is packed with illustrations, clues and context for scholarly sleuths of all ages. #History #archaeology #kids

A bright red book with someone’s left hand holding it. The book cover reads “A Compendium of Curious Contraptions” and is illustrated with intriguing objects.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

I’m too tired, here’s a cat pretending to be a shark.

A black cat’s head, perspective looking up from below the chin so that her little teef are out and she looks like a furry land shark.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Yeah, I think I nailed it. Noble, majestic, dignified.

A painting of two gray wolves from the shoulders up on a blue background. The wolf on the right is playfully chomping the other one’s muzzle.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

If you want a malleable public, take away the media that teaches them to think for themselves and find joy in curiosity. Yeah, I’m pissed that I lost my job, but I’m far angrier at the corporation for openly valuing cost over contribution.

A screenshot of a news story from Minnesota Public Radio News covering the pending sale/end of the Brains On Universe of kids’ podcasts.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

I drew a version of a selfie with my dog, and I think it turned out pretty good…but she wasn’t impressed in the slightest.

In the foreground, a hand holds a sketchpad with a black and white pencil drawing of a selfie with a person in glasses and a German shepherd. In the background, the same dog looks unimpressed.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Here is my advice for today (also every day): seize the dog. #dog #pets

A black and white line drawing of a person with short dark hair and glasses, wearing socks, shorts, and a black tshirt. The person is hugging a medium sized dog with dangly paws and tongue out. The text next to the cartoon reads “CARPE CANEM” (seize the dog)

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

I finished this little #painting over the weekend. She’s a friendly little lady! But also she WILL bite you. #art #nature #birds #paint #projects

A small (6x9 I think?) acrylic painting on canvas. The painting is of a light-brown-colored female duck standing on some lovely green grass and looking up at the viewer in a friendly or inquisitive way.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Good morning, happy May, please enjoy this friendly duck #painting I’ve been working on.

A not-quite-finished painting of a brown speckled duck looking up at the viewer. The background is a sage-y green

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Final version! I like how the highlight and shadow colors ended up working.

A small painting of a hand holding a cat skull on canvas board with a brick-colored background. The skull and hand have aquamarine and yellow highlights and a little purple as well.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Doing some #painting (from reference) of a hand holding a (house)cat skull. Some progress shots. I’m trying to think of it as sculpting almost? Trying to build depth outwards? Is that a thing? Anyway, it needs some more work but I think it’s neat so far. #art #paint #nature #study #cats #bones

Blocking in the shadows for a hand holding a cat skull on a pink background

Second progress shot, filling in the pinks and yellows on the hand and cat skull

Where I’m at now, playing with colors and highlights, I have no idea what I’m doing, it’s cool. The hand and skull are both looking a bit more 3d

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I tried to come up with a pun for this post but I’m owl out of ‘em. It took me maybe six tries to get this guy’s proportions even close to correct. Owls do not comply with standard shapes because they are 90% feather and the rest is leg. #art #painting #paint #nature #birds #owl

An acrylic painting with a muted grey/yellow/green background. In the foreground is a small barn owl perched on a branch. The owl’s head is tilted far to the side in the weird way that owls do.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I dunno about this #painting — really more of a short study…but at least it was a very cheerful one to do. #nature #flowers #sunflower #art

A painting (on Bristol paper) of a happy yellow sunflower plus a couple of its leaves and its stalk against a blue background

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

I painted this bear on the left about a year ago and had some prints made. I’ve been working on technique and thought it might be neat to paint over one of the prints to see if/how much my style has changed. And it has! #art #painting #wildlife #nature #bear #learning

Two paintings, side by side, of the same subject—a bear playing in water, mostly submerged, with head and back feet sticking out of the water. The image on the left was painted about a year ago and is less saturated and less colorful. The one on the right has much more vibrancy, color, and depth. Also the water looks wetter in the one on the right.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

I painted a very dignified and elegant creature.

A sunny acrylic painting of a fuzzy orange cat licking its lil butt with one leg in the air. The cat is sitting on a grey stone wall and there’s a green vaguely leafy background.

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Dr. Thing Learner @drthinglearner.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Friends, #artists, enjoyers of #art: Is this this the right color background? My instinct is to make it a little darker or maybe more purple? I am DITHERING, help! #acrylic #paint #painter #nature #fungi #painting