Dr. Thing Learner
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drthinglearner.bsky.social
Dr. Thing Learner
@drthinglearner.bsky.social
1.9K followers 310 following 350 posts
I write and talk about science and ancient history a lot. Podcaster, children’s book author. Big fan of dogs and cool people, expert fun-haver. Occasional artist, sometimes musician. Walking pile of facts.

Find me at thinglearner.squarespace.com
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drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.”
November 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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
November 9, 2025 at 11:50 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.”
October 28, 2025 at 2:43 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
Hey do you guys like crows?

#painting
#crows
#nature
#art
#birds
A painting on a pinkish white background. A crow is standing in shallow water with one foot up, inspecting a yellow leaf. There are some ripples and the bird’s reflection in the water
October 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
October 14, 2025 at 11:35 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
October 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
October 2, 2025 at 12:32 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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
September 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
#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:
September 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
August 31, 2025 at 1:36 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
July 31, 2025 at 1:27 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
It’s a baby
A monarch butterfly sits on a plant stalk in a light drizzle, with its wings out flat.
July 21, 2025 at 11:38 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
July 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
June 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
June 19, 2025 at 12:41 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
A #sketch for a new #painting, just to make sure I really capture the gravitas.

#art #wolf #nature #artist #animals
A graphite pencil sketch on white paper of two gray wolves. One is playfully chomping on the other’s nose.
June 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
Here’s a bear friend for your timeline, please enjoy.

#art #painting #bear #nature #animals #hobby #paintings
A painting of a standing brown bear on a sage-y green / gray background.
June 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
June 6, 2025 at 12:12 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
May 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
got a new painting cooking this weekend, it is eggs.

#art #painting #WorkInProgress #WIP #food #breakfast
A painter’s table with an easel propping up an in-progress painting of two sunny-side-up eggs on a blue plate
May 12, 2025 at 1:08 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
A smiling German shepherd getting some cheek scratches
May 8, 2025 at 11:55 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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)
May 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
May 5, 2025 at 10:53 AM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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
May 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
drthinglearner.bsky.social
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.
April 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM