Matt Maldre
@spudart.bsky.social
Designer & artist. Web Strategist @tribuneagency.bsky.social.
- Documenting the strange beauty of ordinary things
- Art, tech, and random discoveries worth sharing
Chicago / Glen Ellyn, Illinois
🎨 spudart.org
🏠 mattmaldre.com
🏢 tribunecontentagency.com
- Documenting the strange beauty of ordinary things
- Art, tech, and random discoveries worth sharing
Chicago / Glen Ellyn, Illinois
🎨 spudart.org
🏠 mattmaldre.com
🏢 tribunecontentagency.com
Frozen 3 comes out November 24, 2027.
I just added it to my calendar.
I just added it to my calendar.
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Frozen 3 comes out November 24, 2027.
I just added it to my calendar.
I just added it to my calendar.
I did a search in my Google Photos for "jellyfish" hoping it would give me a result that is not a jellyfish, but something that looks like a jellyfish.
It did not disappoint.
Here is a very underexposed image of an Art Institute of Chicago lion wearing a Cubs hat in 2016.
It did not disappoint.
Here is a very underexposed image of an Art Institute of Chicago lion wearing a Cubs hat in 2016.
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
I did a search in my Google Photos for "jellyfish" hoping it would give me a result that is not a jellyfish, but something that looks like a jellyfish.
It did not disappoint.
Here is a very underexposed image of an Art Institute of Chicago lion wearing a Cubs hat in 2016.
It did not disappoint.
Here is a very underexposed image of an Art Institute of Chicago lion wearing a Cubs hat in 2016.
April photos, now on my Flickr.
flickr.com/spudart
flickr.com/spudart
November 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM
April photos, now on my Flickr.
flickr.com/spudart
flickr.com/spudart
If you ever need to export your photo metadata from Adobe Lightroom, here's a great plugin: LR/Transporter.
www.photographers-toolbox.com/products/lrt...
www.photographers-toolbox.com/products/lrt...
November 19, 2025 at 5:24 PM
If you ever need to export your photo metadata from Adobe Lightroom, here's a great plugin: LR/Transporter.
www.photographers-toolbox.com/products/lrt...
www.photographers-toolbox.com/products/lrt...
When someone you know turns 50 years old, fly the American flag that day. 50 stars on the flag for their 50th birthday.
(Plus, I like reclaiming the American flag to be for *anyone* in America)
(Plus, I like reclaiming the American flag to be for *anyone* in America)
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
When someone you know turns 50 years old, fly the American flag that day. 50 stars on the flag for their 50th birthday.
(Plus, I like reclaiming the American flag to be for *anyone* in America)
(Plus, I like reclaiming the American flag to be for *anyone* in America)
I just updated my Synectics Daily Prompt calendar—now there’s a creative prompt every day.
Synectics is a set of strategies that help spark new ideas in art and writing
Tomorrow’s prompt: “What human qualities does your subject have?” (Animate) calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Synectics is a set of strategies that help spark new ideas in art and writing
Tomorrow’s prompt: “What human qualities does your subject have?” (Animate) calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
![November 19, 2025 What human qualities subject has? [Animate]
November 20, 2025 Chop up, disassemble it [Fragmentate]
November 21, 2025 Ridicule, mimic, mock, burlesque or caricature [Parody]
November 22, 2025 Exchange, switch or replace [Substitute]
November 23, 2025 Compare with elements from different domains, disciplines [Analogize]
November 24, 2025 Make “Jekyll and Hyde” transmutations [Metamorphose]
November 25, 2025 Conceal by mimicry, like chameleons and moths [Disguise]
November 26, 2025 Overlay elements to produce new images, ideas, meanings [Superimpose]
November 27, 2025 Control the pictorial movements and forces [Animate]
November 28, 2025 Contradict normal procedures, social conventions, rituals [Contradict]
November 29, 2025 What other idea, image, or material can you substitute? [Substitute]
November 30, 2025 How subject can be converted, translated, transfigured? [Transfer]
December 1, 2025 What if night and day occurred simultaneously? [Fantasize]
December 2, 2025 Make logical or illogical associations [Analogize]
December 3, 2025 Hide, mask, “implant” subject into another frame of reference [Disguise]
December 4, 2025 Misshape it, yet produce unique metaphoric/aesthetic quality [Distort]
December 5, 2025 A visual symbol stands for something other than what it is [Symbolize]
December 6, 2025 Turn your subject into a symbol public or private [Symbolize]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hedmlycvhik5cyredbsqsokb/bafkreibnpi5ip2ssk2nlx5zjnsoa67ma2alek3h4syuuwwt4mdrvkxtmwm@jpeg)
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I just updated my Synectics Daily Prompt calendar—now there’s a creative prompt every day.
Synectics is a set of strategies that help spark new ideas in art and writing
Tomorrow’s prompt: “What human qualities does your subject have?” (Animate) calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Synectics is a set of strategies that help spark new ideas in art and writing
Tomorrow’s prompt: “What human qualities does your subject have?” (Animate) calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Last week I published my 4,000th blog post. I've been blogging all the time since 2001. In the past two years, I've gotten into a good routine of publishing every Wednesday.
Here is #4,000:
www.spudart.org/blog/kodak-c...
Here is #4,000:
www.spudart.org/blog/kodak-c...
Using a keychain camera to record the morning sun - Spudart
Finally got my hands on a Kodak Charmera (nearly impossible to find). Took it to the woods this morning and shot straight into the sun. The lo-fi quality makes it feel like 2003 cameraphone nostalgia.
www.spudart.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Last week I published my 4,000th blog post. I've been blogging all the time since 2001. In the past two years, I've gotten into a good routine of publishing every Wednesday.
Here is #4,000:
www.spudart.org/blog/kodak-c...
Here is #4,000:
www.spudart.org/blog/kodak-c...
I often open logos from other companies, and the black is not a true black.
- Red: 31
- Green: 31
- Blue: 31
It should be:
- Red: 0
- Green: 0
- Blue: 0
You can tell the logo came from a legacy CMYK environment, and someone converted it to RGB without adjusting it to true black.
- Red: 31
- Green: 31
- Blue: 31
It should be:
- Red: 0
- Green: 0
- Blue: 0
You can tell the logo came from a legacy CMYK environment, and someone converted it to RGB without adjusting it to true black.
November 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I often open logos from other companies, and the black is not a true black.
- Red: 31
- Green: 31
- Blue: 31
It should be:
- Red: 0
- Green: 0
- Blue: 0
You can tell the logo came from a legacy CMYK environment, and someone converted it to RGB without adjusting it to true black.
- Red: 31
- Green: 31
- Blue: 31
It should be:
- Red: 0
- Green: 0
- Blue: 0
You can tell the logo came from a legacy CMYK environment, and someone converted it to RGB without adjusting it to true black.
It brings me such joy that Savage Chickens continues to produce funny comics. @savagechickens.bsky.social & www.savagechickens.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It brings me such joy that Savage Chickens continues to produce funny comics. @savagechickens.bsky.social & www.savagechickens.com
March photos, now on my Flickr.
flickr.com/spudart
flickr.com/spudart
November 18, 2025 at 4:43 PM
March photos, now on my Flickr.
flickr.com/spudart
flickr.com/spudart
While waiting with all the parents for their kids to come out of school, I'm the dad who sits on the ground, photographing the leaves through a toilet paper tube with a tiny Kodak Charmera toy camera.
November 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
While waiting with all the parents for their kids to come out of school, I'm the dad who sits on the ground, photographing the leaves through a toilet paper tube with a tiny Kodak Charmera toy camera.
Someone placed a pumpkin in our local woods. It seems like a nice gesture to feed the animals.
However, there is a $500 dumping fee.
Imagine if the person put a carved jack-o'-lantern in the forest. You'd be able to trace back to who illegally put the pumpkin there.
However, there is a $500 dumping fee.
Imagine if the person put a carved jack-o'-lantern in the forest. You'd be able to trace back to who illegally put the pumpkin there.
November 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Someone placed a pumpkin in our local woods. It seems like a nice gesture to feed the animals.
However, there is a $500 dumping fee.
Imagine if the person put a carved jack-o'-lantern in the forest. You'd be able to trace back to who illegally put the pumpkin there.
However, there is a $500 dumping fee.
Imagine if the person put a carved jack-o'-lantern in the forest. You'd be able to trace back to who illegally put the pumpkin there.
Getting my Flickr up-to-date. For the next nine days (or so), I'm adding highlights from each month.
Here's February. flickr.com/spudart
Here's February. flickr.com/spudart
November 18, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Getting my Flickr up-to-date. For the next nine days (or so), I'm adding highlights from each month.
Here's February. flickr.com/spudart
Here's February. flickr.com/spudart
Pressing ginkgo leaves in my book "The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques".
Eventually, these leaves will be part of my "365 Hues of the Ginkgo" art project. #blueskyartshow
Eventually, these leaves will be part of my "365 Hues of the Ginkgo" art project. #blueskyartshow
November 17, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Pressing ginkgo leaves in my book "The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques".
Eventually, these leaves will be part of my "365 Hues of the Ginkgo" art project. #blueskyartshow
Eventually, these leaves will be part of my "365 Hues of the Ginkgo" art project. #blueskyartshow
Weird vertical halos appeared when moving across the sun while capturing a panoramic with my iPhone. #photooftheday
November 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Weird vertical halos appeared when moving across the sun while capturing a panoramic with my iPhone. #photooftheday
When viewing one of my Pinterest boards, the thumbnails are really small. I click on one of the items in the board, and I'd like to click something to view the next item in the board.
Surprising that Pinterest doesn't have this feature.
Surprising that Pinterest doesn't have this feature.
November 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
When viewing one of my Pinterest boards, the thumbnails are really small. I click on one of the items in the board, and I'd like to click something to view the next item in the board.
Surprising that Pinterest doesn't have this feature.
Surprising that Pinterest doesn't have this feature.
While waiting to pick up my daughter from school, I collected about 20 ginkgo leaves, thinking I would use them to continue my 2010 series "Yellow ginkgo leaf on _______".
www.flickr.com/photos/spuda...
www.flickr.com/photos/spuda...
November 15, 2025 at 3:26 AM
While waiting to pick up my daughter from school, I collected about 20 ginkgo leaves, thinking I would use them to continue my 2010 series "Yellow ginkgo leaf on _______".
www.flickr.com/photos/spuda...
www.flickr.com/photos/spuda...
I like taking photos of my Kodak Charmera taking photos more than I do taking photos with the Kodak Charmera.
Put another way... the resulting photos from the Charmera are ok. But it's more the act of taking the photos with the tiny camera that I enjoy.
In this case: Process is over product.
Put another way... the resulting photos from the Charmera are ok. But it's more the act of taking the photos with the tiny camera that I enjoy.
In this case: Process is over product.
November 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I like taking photos of my Kodak Charmera taking photos more than I do taking photos with the Kodak Charmera.
Put another way... the resulting photos from the Charmera are ok. But it's more the act of taking the photos with the tiny camera that I enjoy.
In this case: Process is over product.
Put another way... the resulting photos from the Charmera are ok. But it's more the act of taking the photos with the tiny camera that I enjoy.
In this case: Process is over product.
This ginkgo leaf was sucked onto a vent. Looked like a #miracleleaf. Not really miraculous since anyone could replicate it, but it certainly looked magical at first glance!
November 13, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This ginkgo leaf was sucked onto a vent. Looked like a #miracleleaf. Not really miraculous since anyone could replicate it, but it certainly looked magical at first glance!
The painter James McNeill Whistler sure looks like he was a character.
via #ArtTab www.artic.edu/artworks/144...
via #ArtTab www.artic.edu/artworks/144...
November 13, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The painter James McNeill Whistler sure looks like he was a character.
via #ArtTab www.artic.edu/artworks/144...
via #ArtTab www.artic.edu/artworks/144...
#miracleleaf would be a great series. Have you witnessed a Miracle Leaf?
Last month, a single leaf floated mid-air at my daughter's school. I saw it at morning drop-off—and it was still there at pickup! I filmed it: youtu.be/_g-F_RROsmE
Last month, a single leaf floated mid-air at my daughter's school. I saw it at morning drop-off—and it was still there at pickup! I filmed it: youtu.be/_g-F_RROsmE
Miracle leaf floating suspended in air
YouTube video by Matt Maldre
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
#miracleleaf would be a great series. Have you witnessed a Miracle Leaf?
Last month, a single leaf floated mid-air at my daughter's school. I saw it at morning drop-off—and it was still there at pickup! I filmed it: youtu.be/_g-F_RROsmE
Last month, a single leaf floated mid-air at my daughter's school. I saw it at morning drop-off—and it was still there at pickup! I filmed it: youtu.be/_g-F_RROsmE
Shot with a Kodak Charmera, a toy camera. It has no macro capability, but sometimes close-up blurred photos can be fun. #photooftheday
November 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Shot with a Kodak Charmera, a toy camera. It has no macro capability, but sometimes close-up blurred photos can be fun. #photooftheday
The #773Sounds radio show on @wxav883.bsky.social gave the tip that the Chicago-based band, Empty Pockets, is giving away a free Christmas album!
store.theemptypockets.com/products/par...
store.theemptypockets.com/products/par...
Free CD: Party at the North Pole
Mrs. Claus is tying one on... there's karaoke involved... even the elves have the day off. Let's get weird with this amazing offer... our fantastic holiday album for free. The Empty Pockets are offeri...
store.theemptypockets.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The #773Sounds radio show on @wxav883.bsky.social gave the tip that the Chicago-based band, Empty Pockets, is giving away a free Christmas album!
store.theemptypockets.com/products/par...
store.theemptypockets.com/products/par...
@wxav883.bsky.social Regarding the opening of #Rockology today and Athena not liking red sauce on her pizza... It sounds odd to us in the 20th century.
But she would be at home in the Roman Empire. They had no knowledge of the existence of tomatoes.
But she would be at home in the Roman Empire. They had no knowledge of the existence of tomatoes.
November 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
@wxav883.bsky.social Regarding the opening of #Rockology today and Athena not liking red sauce on her pizza... It sounds odd to us in the 20th century.
But she would be at home in the Roman Empire. They had no knowledge of the existence of tomatoes.
But she would be at home in the Roman Empire. They had no knowledge of the existence of tomatoes.
Just when you think the napkin is looking like a paper airplane, it transforms into a TURKEY.
How to fold a napkin to look like a Thanksgiving turkey
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Just when you think the napkin is looking like a paper airplane, it transforms into a TURKEY.