iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

In "well, didn't expect that to make me tear up"... I've been a fan of Mucha's work for years (and was fortunate enough to see his Slavic history series in person in Prague), and some of the quotes in here hit right where they needed to. This book is huge, beautiful, and a love letter to the artist.

A picture of the massive Alphonse Mucha's Le Pater coffee table book, with gilt lettering and ornamentation.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Two beloved, cantankerous, intense warhorses who have earned all the love and cookies in the world.

A bay horse and a black horse nuzzling over a fence.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

But the dogs have been loving the beach, and it has been good to be away and let my head clear.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

After the terror and stress of fireworks, all three dogs are snuggled up in various spots around us, snoring their heads off.

Three glossy black Shepherd dogs sound asleep together under the table.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

In my continuing quest to be a really confusing main character, my trusty mount is now...a rainbow zebra? (He pulled a hamstring while pulling a tantrum.)

The back half of a bay horse, showing strips of KT tape around his haunches in bright pink, bright green, and black.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Speaking of which, the three faces of Magni: cutest little teddy bear muppet marshmallow who just wants snuggles and FAE HOUND PADS FROM THE DEPTHS OF NIGHT (or, in this case, the kitchen) TO CLAIM YOUR PUNY SOUL and TEEF.

A very cute black shepherd with huge ears sitting primly on a black rug on the back step outside a door, staring through the window at the viewer, hoping someone will come out to play.

A gaunt huge black hound pads into the room, the backlighting obscuring his features and giving him a sinister look.

A black Shepherd lies contorted on light grey carpet, mouth open to show all his teeth in a goofy grin, paws tucked on his chest.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

I fell asleep on the couch cuddling Magni, and woke up to the feel of those bear-like jaws gently picking my hand up and trying to put it back around his neck. It took me a few minutes to figure out what he wanted and he kept picking it up until I wrapped my arm around him. Then back to sleep.

A big black Shepherd stares coyly at the camera, his paw draped over a tattooed arm.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Life has been rough lately, but at least the hawthorns are blooming.

A green vista of a grassy meadow with a backdrop of weeping willow and blossoming hawthorn trees in front of snow-capped mountains and a blue sky.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

But it is really, really good to be home, too. Magni and Sif absolutely mobbed me and have been clingy all evening. I've been gone lots lately and will be gone lots more this month, but hopefully they will forgive me after that.

A very shiny black German Shepherd is lying on beige carpet, staring at the camera with a hopeful face and one paw crooked back toward his chest.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

I spent the better part of the last week in California with an incredible group of designers, working on some NDA projects. It was a much needed respite as the barrage of personal/family bad news continues. If you're going to have a panic attack, might as well at least have this view.

A misty lake is seen through a framing of green oak branches.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Last autumn, I wrecked myself planting hundreds of bulbs. Any time I wanted to quit, I reminded myself I would probably need them by the time they came up. I had no idea how true that would be. We're living in a nightmare, but last year I planted flowers, and I am still here to see them.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

There's a reason Shepherds are called Velcro Dogs. He was sound asleep on my hand, my legs over his. It's really unfortunate that their intense emotional bond is so often corrupted to turn them into attack dogs.

A big black shepherd asleep on a red blanket and a white person's arm.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

It was a pretty nice afternoon to be outside.

Two black Shepherd dogs, one lying down while the other stands behind him, in a wide field of green grass. A long grey house in the distance stands in front of a view of distant mountains, trees, and a blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

One of the tools we learn to use in Systema is the Cossack whip. Yes, it fucking hurts when someone gets you with one. It also, used correctly, stimulates blood flow without doing any damage. My instructor was very good at using it.

A short, thick, heavy braided leather whip in red and black.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Someone was VERY HELPFUL with the planting, but he doesn't quite understand what I'm doing.

A large black German Shepherd stands over a muddy shovel, staring at the orange ball he has placed on the shovel's head.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Dogs running on cat_sunbeam.exe software.

Two black German Shepherds carefully sprawled in a patch of sunlight on grey carpet.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Another Standie owner posted a video of her (blind) boy, and he still has Antares beat. At least mine wasn't CLUMPED.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

He rolled so many times. And found a watery mud puddle to make sure his belly was coated. His poor blanket...

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Today got to me a little, just too many things all at once, and I hit a pretty bad spiral. So, I spritzed on a favorite cozy perfume (Sorce's Stuck on You), played the piano for about 30 min, and painted a bit. And spent time w/my EXTREMELY muddy horse. Like, dude. And he wanted cuddles.

The butt and barrel of a horse who is mostly made of clumps of mud.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Recolored my hair and got it trimmed today. Hair cut days are my favorite because she straightens it and I get a blessed few days of peace from the curls.

A portrait of a femme person with pale skin, hazel eyes, shoulder-length magenta hair, wearing a teal velvet motorcycle style jacket, a black dress, and an orange and team beaded necklace.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I feel like this shot would be 100x spookier if it was minus one orange soccer ball.

A nighttime shot of a light post over brick gate wings, while a black dog runs in front with a soccer ball in his mouth.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

No, we were surrounded by hellhounds.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

It was foggy and spooky tonight on our evening walk with the dogs.

A nighttime shot of black trees looming against a misty silver sky.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Our annual February game weekend is rapidly approaching, and menu planning is in (late) full swing. 12 people, 3 days. I make a list of everything that sounds good/fun right now, then whittle it down a few times. Half the fun is 'shopping' my cookbooks.

An open notebook filled with small handwriting in purple ink, listing off several dozen recipes.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

#30DaysOfArt part 1, a tiny blue bead pendant drawing on the idea of flowers in the rain.

A tiny blue beaded pendant on a gold chain, hanging over a black model horse.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

#30DaysOfArt part 2, an extravagant pair of flowered earrings in gold, pink, yellow, and a tiny bit of green shimmer.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Today's #30DaysOfArt centers around a repurposed earring. The necklace a friend wore for her wedding came with some VERY heavy earrings, so this is a more friendly use of them. They are from a traditional Indian wedding jewelry set, so the back is enameled in red and green.

An elaborate jeweled blue and clear pendant on a beaded chain, resting on green and peach silk.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Baldr has chew. Baldr is ready to travel.

A very serious black Shepherd with huge ears and a white stripe on his nose stares into the camera, a chew poking out of either side of his mouth.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

A little grimly determined today...here's yesterday's #30DaysOfArt. I'm so, so happy with this piece. It took me a while to get settled in what I wanted to do, but then it just clicked.

A brass art deco pendant of flowers and leaves with three jeweled pendants of iridescent clear and pink glass gems, hanging against a background of periwinkle and buttercup velvets.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

I'm at the barn, sitting on a mounting block to soak up a sun that is surprisingly warm, given that the ground is frozen solid, when this ABSOLUTE GREMLIN comes up behind me and starts getting his muddy self all in my business. He got sand in my eye. I wear glasses. And then he bounced off.

A close up of an extremely impertinent, mud-caked bay horse's face.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

We sometimes shove Magni out whatever door is closest to reduce the screaming joy he exhibits in the morning, before taking the other two out the correct door. He figured this out pretty quickly, and now immediately heads to the 'proper' door to wait for everyone else. He finds humans silly.

A black German Shepherd sits on the porch, staring quizzically through a window.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Given the way my brain has been working lately, I'm setting myself a challenge: a piece of wearable art every day, made and posted to social media. Cheating by starting with yesterday's, a delicate tribute to art nouveau design.

A delicate three-layered art nouveau-inspired necklace with three black crystal pendants hanging over a soft pink silk scarf. Art books on shelves are behind the scarf.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Working on a new piece to keep my mind off other things.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Nevermind, reinforcements appeared.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Meanwhile, this was my view on opening the bathroom door...

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

I used to do this thing, when I was in the office every day, of taking photos of my outfits for each day. It was fun, and pushed me to be more intentional with my clothes. If I have to be in the office, people are going to remember that I was in the office.

An aesthetic post of metallic patent green heels with yellow and green suede flowers on the toes, a green mask with leach flowers, a gold and citrine vintage brooch, a green and gold signet-style ring, several gold bracelets, gold and black Indian enamel earrings, and a bottle of perfume - For the Scent of It's "Forbidden Fig".

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

I saw a missed delivery note in the box and was confused bc I wasn't expecting any packages to sign for. Then read the note. I have a box of snacks in there for drivers. During holidays/bad weather, I make little packs w/fruit, chips, granola bar, and a bit of candy. Drivers work hard!

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

There was a pastel rainbow around the moon tonight. The camera couldn't quite capture that, but the result is something that looks like an oil painting.

A dark shot of the night sky, showing a crescent moon veiled in blue and peach-colored clouds. The silhouettes of evergreens can be seen in the foreground.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Part of the reason I've been busting my ass on contracts and freelancing is so I could level up and stock up on jewelry making. Black Friday was a bit of a bloodbath, but I'm so excited to try new things.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

A few pieces I made last night. The green one is a personal piece, the other two are available.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Working on some new pieces tonight, and getting some recent restocks into the Cabinet of Wonders.

A messy two-tiered workspace covered in bright velvet ribbons, pendants, lace, and beads.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

@dbirtolo.bsky.social got some weight lifting in tonight. 85lb curls are one thing. 85lb curls when the weight is actively pulling the other direction? Pretty impressive.

A large dog is playing with a man who has his back to the camera. The dog is a German Shepherd type, its back feet are on the floor and its front feet are in the air as it hangs by its jaws from a toy slung over the man's arm.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

This may not look like a victory, but it is: Antares is hanging out in his stall, eating peacefully, without even having his buddies around. For a horse who panicked any time we put him in a stall his first 2 years with me, this is like a 1000lb weight off my shoulders.

A muddy bay horse quietly eating hay in his stall.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Magni has had a very busy few weeks and is very tired. He wants to play with the skelly, but it's too much work.

A big black Shepherd dog staring slightly cross-eyed at a white bean-shaped skeleton plush toy being held up to him. He is lying on a soft green blanket.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

I reorganized, refilled, and sorted the spices today. I do a restock this time of year, so my backup bin is extra full. Yes, I have a lot of spices. Yes, I use them. Yes, @dbirtolo.bsky.social is awesome for installing the under-cupboard magnetic strips for me.

A bin filled with plastic bags and glass jars of spices.

Rows of spice jars under a cabinet, over a fruit bowl filled with lemons, pears, and oranges.

A cabinet full of spices, sugars, espresso powder, and extracts.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Speaking of cuteness...someone snuck up for ear rubs.

A happy black and grey dog face peering from under the table.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Also, the cheesecake grew ears earlier. I am so grateful that our dogs have good boundaries on most things, Magni could easily help himself to everything on our counters but he just occasionally licks the edge of the counter. I can leave raw meat on the counter without trouble.

A counter loaded with cakes, cut-up fruit and cheese, and a bowl of whipped cream. Over the corner of the counter, two giant canine ears can be seen from the dog hopefully eyeing the bounty. Behind him, a Christmas tree glimmers.

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Jaym Gates @jaymgates.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Sometimes it is hard to remember that dogs are apex predators. And then we give the dogs beef bones as big as my arm and Magni cracks the bone open within 5 minutes (we watch them closely, so we swapped it out for a heavier bone). He's definitely a monster. But a very CUTE monster.

An ink-black Shepherd sitting in an orange rug on a hardwood floor.

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