Arthur Durkee
@phoenixdragon1.bsky.social
Composer, poet, book artist, printmaker, letterpress, graphics, recording studio, photography, type designer. Pan/poly/neurodivergent/queer.
arthurdurkee.bandcamp.com
www.patreon.com/ArthurDurkee
arthurdurkeearts.crevado.com
arthurdurkee.bandcamp.com
www.patreon.com/ArthurDurkee
arthurdurkeearts.crevado.com
If it has to be so damn cold as it is in Wisconsin this week, there should at least be mountains and glaciers. Makes me want to be back in Wyoming with my beloved Grand Tetons.
December 8, 2025 at 6:10 AM
If it has to be so damn cold as it is in Wisconsin this week, there should at least be mountains and glaciers. Makes me want to be back in Wyoming with my beloved Grand Tetons.
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
My songwriting friend and I have this saying…
“Sometimes the song gets there before you do.”
What we mean is that often times the writer doesn’t know what a song is really about until long after it is finished. Sometimes only in hindsight do we know what we were trying to say.
“Sometimes the song gets there before you do.”
What we mean is that often times the writer doesn’t know what a song is really about until long after it is finished. Sometimes only in hindsight do we know what we were trying to say.
December 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
My songwriting friend and I have this saying…
“Sometimes the song gets there before you do.”
What we mean is that often times the writer doesn’t know what a song is really about until long after it is finished. Sometimes only in hindsight do we know what we were trying to say.
“Sometimes the song gets there before you do.”
What we mean is that often times the writer doesn’t know what a song is really about until long after it is finished. Sometimes only in hindsight do we know what we were trying to say.
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
“…Even if they are able to clean up his mess … elect a supremely sane president next, America will NEVER again be a trusted partner. Because there are enough Americans who would vote for him … (again).
I couldn't even say anything. She was right. The damage this has done is endless…”
I couldn't even say anything. She was right. The damage this has done is endless…”
December 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
“…Even if they are able to clean up his mess … elect a supremely sane president next, America will NEVER again be a trusted partner. Because there are enough Americans who would vote for him … (again).
I couldn't even say anything. She was right. The damage this has done is endless…”
I couldn't even say anything. She was right. The damage this has done is endless…”
Heavy Surf
A painting made because I had a bad night and PTSD and little sleep and pissed off, so I needed to do something halfway worthwhile to break my bad mood.
A painting made because I had a bad night and PTSD and little sleep and pissed off, so I needed to do something halfway worthwhile to break my bad mood.
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Heavy Surf
A painting made because I had a bad night and PTSD and little sleep and pissed off, so I needed to do something halfway worthwhile to break my bad mood.
A painting made because I had a bad night and PTSD and little sleep and pissed off, so I needed to do something halfway worthwhile to break my bad mood.
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
I think the most absurd part is all the writers thought AI would destroy humanity because AI would get too smart, but they didn’t realize that years of de-prioritizing the humanities would actually make the people who made AI so stupid that it’s going to be the stupidity that kills us and lollllsob
Goddamn. We were so worried about the Evangelical armageddon freaks, but it's actually the AI cult that's going to kill us all.
December 5, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I think the most absurd part is all the writers thought AI would destroy humanity because AI would get too smart, but they didn’t realize that years of de-prioritizing the humanities would actually make the people who made AI so stupid that it’s going to be the stupidity that kills us and lollllsob
I don’t know. As a composer I frequently feel like no one wants my music, even though there’s a lot of it. It shouldn’t matter, they say, “Write for your own need.” It’s true I’m a compulsive daily art-maker, and prolific. Yet it would be nice to not feel like I’m all alone here.
It's so dispiriting to pour everything into writing a book, get lots of positive reviews... And then no one reads it.
Honest question: is it possible to create a sustainable indie author career that is also creatively fulfilling?
I used to think so - 3 years & 6 books later, I'm just not sure.
Honest question: is it possible to create a sustainable indie author career that is also creatively fulfilling?
I used to think so - 3 years & 6 books later, I'm just not sure.
December 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I don’t know. As a composer I frequently feel like no one wants my music, even though there’s a lot of it. It shouldn’t matter, they say, “Write for your own need.” It’s true I’m a compulsive daily art-maker, and prolific. Yet it would be nice to not feel like I’m all alone here.
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
My comments with @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Under RFK Jr., the CDC provides a megaphone to the anti-vaccine movement
Common anti-vaccine talking points were on display as the CDC’s immunization advisers repealed a hepatitis B birth vaccine recommendation and scrutinized the childhood schedule.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
My comments with @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
This. I am devoted to resisting fascism. In rural MAGA country that can feel futile but it’s not. Fascism is lawless because it’s fragile and takes huge effort to sustain.
Trump will die before the full realization of American fascism is reached. These are the birth pangs. It will get so much worse unless we do something. We should and we must.
Take stock of what this feels like, how unacceptable this is. Devote yourself to fighting it.
Take stock of what this feels like, how unacceptable this is. Devote yourself to fighting it.
December 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This. I am devoted to resisting fascism. In rural MAGA country that can feel futile but it’s not. Fascism is lawless because it’s fragile and takes huge effort to sustain.
Songwriting: no, I don’t play guitar. I can hear in my mind all the music I write, so I don’t have to write with an instrument. I’ve been known to compose at public libraries. I check the notated music at the keyboard later, sometimes revise, but my ear is good so it’s usually okay.
December 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Songwriting: no, I don’t play guitar. I can hear in my mind all the music I write, so I don’t have to write with an instrument. I’ve been known to compose at public libraries. I check the notated music at the keyboard later, sometimes revise, but my ear is good so it’s usually okay.
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
It's the year 2077. All movie studios belong to Netflix. Cinemas only play trailers for their streaming catalog. Every franchise is canceled after two movies/seasons, on mandatory cliffhangers. Nothing from before 2002 is available. Owning physical media is punishable by death. Netflix is love.
December 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
It's the year 2077. All movie studios belong to Netflix. Cinemas only play trailers for their streaming catalog. Every franchise is canceled after two movies/seasons, on mandatory cliffhangers. Nothing from before 2002 is available. Owning physical media is punishable by death. Netflix is love.
Criticizing Tolkien because he wasn’t [modern-values-category] enough feels like criticizing Thomas Aquinas for not being pagan enough. It’s a category error and anachronistic, even if the critique has merit. It also feels like he’s been put on a savior-level pedestal just to be knocked off.
December 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Criticizing Tolkien because he wasn’t [modern-values-category] enough feels like criticizing Thomas Aquinas for not being pagan enough. It’s a category error and anachronistic, even if the critique has merit. It also feels like he’s been put on a savior-level pedestal just to be knocked off.
Exactly this.
I love the convenience of streaming, but for any movie or show that I really love, I want to own a physical copy. The quality often better, and it is much less likely to disappear suddenly if a license expires or a company merges out of business. And disks often have cool extras.
December 6, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Exactly this.
Post a book you love from the 80s. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books
December 6, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Post a book you love from the 80s. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books
Nope, sorry, I don’t do End Of Year reading or music lists. Waste of spoons. I don’t do New Years Resolution. Setup yo beat yourself up later.
I do write Gratitudes. This year, though, I’m having a real hard tome with that.
I do write Gratitudes. This year, though, I’m having a real hard tome with that.
December 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Nope, sorry, I don’t do End Of Year reading or music lists. Waste of spoons. I don’t do New Years Resolution. Setup yo beat yourself up later.
I do write Gratitudes. This year, though, I’m having a real hard tome with that.
I do write Gratitudes. This year, though, I’m having a real hard tome with that.
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
How does global warming cause colder winter storms? whowhatwhy.org/2019/11/23/t...
The Paradox of Global Warming and Colder Winters - WhoWhatWhy
If the cold weather makes it harder for you to argue with climate change deniers about the existence of global warming, this story is for you.
whowhatwhy.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
How does global warming cause colder winter storms? whowhatwhy.org/2019/11/23/t...
hundreds of sparrows
rest in cottonwoods, then leap—
winter migration
#photography #winter #birdmigration #haiku #poetry
rest in cottonwoods, then leap—
winter migration
#photography #winter #birdmigration #haiku #poetry
December 5, 2025 at 11:01 PM
hundreds of sparrows
rest in cottonwoods, then leap—
winter migration
#photography #winter #birdmigration #haiku #poetry
rest in cottonwoods, then leap—
winter migration
#photography #winter #birdmigration #haiku #poetry
Hi, it’s Bandcamp Friday again, when Bandcamp waives their fees and more cash goes to the artists.
I have lots of albums for you of music in many styles, if you are interested.
And thanks to everyone who has previously bought some of my music!
Link is in the first comment and my bio. Thanks!
I have lots of albums for you of music in many styles, if you are interested.
And thanks to everyone who has previously bought some of my music!
Link is in the first comment and my bio. Thanks!
December 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Hi, it’s Bandcamp Friday again, when Bandcamp waives their fees and more cash goes to the artists.
I have lots of albums for you of music in many styles, if you are interested.
And thanks to everyone who has previously bought some of my music!
Link is in the first comment and my bio. Thanks!
I have lots of albums for you of music in many styles, if you are interested.
And thanks to everyone who has previously bought some of my music!
Link is in the first comment and my bio. Thanks!
Today is Bandcamp Friday!
That’s when Bandcamp waives their usual processing fees, so more cash goes directly to the artist.
Submitted for your pleasure, an album of instrumental Xmas music both modern and Medieval, played solo on the NS/Stick.
“All Is Calm, All Is Bright”
[ link in comment ]
That’s when Bandcamp waives their usual processing fees, so more cash goes directly to the artist.
Submitted for your pleasure, an album of instrumental Xmas music both modern and Medieval, played solo on the NS/Stick.
“All Is Calm, All Is Bright”
[ link in comment ]
December 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Today is Bandcamp Friday!
That’s when Bandcamp waives their usual processing fees, so more cash goes directly to the artist.
Submitted for your pleasure, an album of instrumental Xmas music both modern and Medieval, played solo on the NS/Stick.
“All Is Calm, All Is Bright”
[ link in comment ]
That’s when Bandcamp waives their usual processing fees, so more cash goes directly to the artist.
Submitted for your pleasure, an album of instrumental Xmas music both modern and Medieval, played solo on the NS/Stick.
“All Is Calm, All Is Bright”
[ link in comment ]
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
The Supreme Court has reinstated the Trump-inspired gerrymandered congressional map in Texas after it was blocked by a lower court, with the Roberts court once again putting its thumb on the scale to weaken protections for minority voters and entrench GOP political power.
The Roberts court just helped Trump rig the midterms
The Supreme Court reinstated the Trump-inspired congressional map in Texas.
www.motherjones.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The Supreme Court has reinstated the Trump-inspired gerrymandered congressional map in Texas after it was blocked by a lower court, with the Roberts court once again putting its thumb on the scale to weaken protections for minority voters and entrench GOP political power.
Cold/Warm Alignments
the sparrow crop in the crabapple
the last light of afternoon before sunset—
early winter markers, sentinels, lights
staying warm however you may
#poetry #photography #winter #sunset
the sparrow crop in the crabapple
the last light of afternoon before sunset—
early winter markers, sentinels, lights
staying warm however you may
#poetry #photography #winter #sunset
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Cold/Warm Alignments
the sparrow crop in the crabapple
the last light of afternoon before sunset—
early winter markers, sentinels, lights
staying warm however you may
#poetry #photography #winter #sunset
the sparrow crop in the crabapple
the last light of afternoon before sunset—
early winter markers, sentinels, lights
staying warm however you may
#poetry #photography #winter #sunset
Warren Ellis is officially my favorite writer in comics, tied with Chris Claremont and Grant Morrison.
I love the work of other great writers and artists, too, of course. This exalted status s based on what I go back to re-read periodically.
I love the work of other great writers and artists, too, of course. This exalted status s based on what I go back to re-read periodically.
December 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Warren Ellis is officially my favorite writer in comics, tied with Chris Claremont and Grant Morrison.
I love the work of other great writers and artists, too, of course. This exalted status s based on what I go back to re-read periodically.
I love the work of other great writers and artists, too, of course. This exalted status s based on what I go back to re-read periodically.
Rewatching NUMB3RS now that I have the compleat series on DVD. I was only missing season 5. This show was so well done, well written, well acted. The generally understated acting tone heightens realism. The character interaction moments likewise. Quiet but deep.
December 4, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Rewatching NUMB3RS now that I have the compleat series on DVD. I was only missing season 5. This show was so well done, well written, well acted. The generally understated acting tone heightens realism. The character interaction moments likewise. Quiet but deep.
This evening I taught Intro to Bookbinding at Whitewater Makerspace, to about a dozen people. I’m riding the high of teaching a successful class. People seemed to really have fun, and I enjoyed teaching and chatting with everyone. In exactly two hours, we made two books: a simple sewn-binding 1/
December 3, 2025 at 5:40 AM
This evening I taught Intro to Bookbinding at Whitewater Makerspace, to about a dozen people. I’m riding the high of teaching a successful class. People seemed to really have fun, and I enjoyed teaching and chatting with everyone. In exactly two hours, we made two books: a simple sewn-binding 1/
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
The Fantastic Four really is Peter's family. ❤️ #SpiderMan
December 3, 2025 at 12:55 AM
The Fantastic Four really is Peter's family. ❤️ #SpiderMan
Reposted by Arthur Durkee
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
December 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.