Emma Bolton
@ebolton.bsky.social
Artist and writer based in Granada, Spain. She/her.
My newsletter, Sketches from Granada, celebrates moments of connection with strangers, friends and ourselves
Subscribe here: emmabolton.com
My newsletter, Sketches from Granada, celebrates moments of connection with strangers, friends and ourselves
Subscribe here: emmabolton.com
Pinned
Making the most of the early fall sunshine with some urban sketching in the Albaicín, Granada
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Making the most of the early fall sunshine with some urban sketching in the Albaicín, Granada
November 4, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Making the most of the early fall sunshine with some urban sketching in the Albaicín, Granada
Celebrated getting my covid and flu shots by watching the SEVENTEEN Tiny Desk concert - 30 minutes of pure joy.
So nice to be able to appreciate their band - I loved the stripped-back version of Hot. Vernon was having the best time, Dino stepped up as a vocalist, and we got to see the crowd jump!
So nice to be able to appreciate their band - I loved the stripped-back version of Hot. Vernon was having the best time, Dino stepped up as a vocalist, and we got to see the crowd jump!
SEVENTEEN: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Celebrated getting my covid and flu shots by watching the SEVENTEEN Tiny Desk concert - 30 minutes of pure joy.
So nice to be able to appreciate their band - I loved the stripped-back version of Hot. Vernon was having the best time, Dino stepped up as a vocalist, and we got to see the crowd jump!
So nice to be able to appreciate their band - I loved the stripped-back version of Hot. Vernon was having the best time, Dino stepped up as a vocalist, and we got to see the crowd jump!
Reposted by Emma Bolton
You're told it'll sabotage your career if you're a vocally politically opinionated, queer, woman. But things sabotaging my career are systemic xenophobia, sexism, and horrible job market. Which are a direct consequences of people not being vocally opinionated in the first place.
November 25, 2025 at 2:27 AM
You're told it'll sabotage your career if you're a vocally politically opinionated, queer, woman. But things sabotaging my career are systemic xenophobia, sexism, and horrible job market. Which are a direct consequences of people not being vocally opinionated in the first place.
I remember going to a Gaugin exhibition in London a few years ago knowing nothing about him and feeling the horror creep in as I started to learn. This flash fiction will stay with you:
I almost didn’t sub this piece (fear, shame). Thank you so much @epistemiclit.bsky.social for being such amazing supporters of me and the writing community. Humbled by this Pushcart nom 🧡
epistemiclit.com/past-issues/...
epistemiclit.com/past-issues/...
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 AM
I remember going to a Gaugin exhibition in London a few years ago knowing nothing about him and feeling the horror creep in as I started to learn. This flash fiction will stay with you:
Reposted by Emma Bolton
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that one of the main impacts of LLMs is to disrupt thinking: to make it so that far too many people never properly learn how to do it, and then to control the output so there are thoughts that people never learn how to think.
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that one of the main impacts of LLMs is to disrupt thinking: to make it so that far too many people never properly learn how to do it, and then to control the output so there are thoughts that people never learn how to think.
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Interested in sketching outside but worried people might talk to you? It's a pretty common fear, but the good news is that these conversations can create lovely moments of connection with strangers. I hope this recent experience I had sketching in Granada's busiest square helps reassure you:
Conversations with strangers in Spanish
Reflecting on day 1 of our Granada Sketching Retreat
www.emmabolton.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Interested in sketching outside but worried people might talk to you? It's a pretty common fear, but the good news is that these conversations can create lovely moments of connection with strangers. I hope this recent experience I had sketching in Granada's busiest square helps reassure you:
Reposted by Emma Bolton
I don't want botox; I want an injection that means I can luxuriate in the feeling of the sun on my skin without getting burnt or melanoma.
I'm grateful that sunscreen exists and at the same time it's one of the worst sensory experiences, especially when you're at the beach
I'm grateful that sunscreen exists and at the same time it's one of the worst sensory experiences, especially when you're at the beach
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I don't want botox; I want an injection that means I can luxuriate in the feeling of the sun on my skin without getting burnt or melanoma.
I'm grateful that sunscreen exists and at the same time it's one of the worst sensory experiences, especially when you're at the beach
I'm grateful that sunscreen exists and at the same time it's one of the worst sensory experiences, especially when you're at the beach
Interested in sketching outside but worried people might talk to you? It's a pretty common fear, but the good news is that these conversations can create lovely moments of connection with strangers. I hope this recent experience I had sketching in Granada's busiest square helps reassure you:
Conversations with strangers in Spanish
Reflecting on day 1 of our Granada Sketching Retreat
www.emmabolton.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Interested in sketching outside but worried people might talk to you? It's a pretty common fear, but the good news is that these conversations can create lovely moments of connection with strangers. I hope this recent experience I had sketching in Granada's busiest square helps reassure you:
Every now and then when I'm putting on makeup, a grey hair will catch the light and sparkle. It's so pretty and gives me a little thrill every time. Baffled why we decided grey hair was ugly or ages you - it's like natural glitter
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Every now and then when I'm putting on makeup, a grey hair will catch the light and sparkle. It's so pretty and gives me a little thrill every time. Baffled why we decided grey hair was ugly or ages you - it's like natural glitter
Reposted by Emma Bolton
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
The Artist Who Reminds Us that Another Way Is Possible
The late artist Abigail McGrath cultivated a creative life for herself filled with freedom, joy, and a commitment to beauty. In an age of authoritarianism and algorithms, it’s a kind of life worth pro...
www.harpersbazaar.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Skyline cleanse.. his name is Emmanuel Savary…🔥🔥🔥
August 2, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Skyline cleanse.. his name is Emmanuel Savary…🔥🔥🔥
Reposted by Emma Bolton
“THE NON-ARTIST FIXATION ON HYPERREALISM AS THE PINNACLE OF ART IS CLEARLY PART OF THE REASON SO MANY ADULTS THINK THEY CANNOT DRAW OR CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE FAILURES, KAWAII, FOLK ART, DOODLES, OR OTHER EASIER ENTRY POINTS ARE CONSIDERED CHILDISH, WHICH IS WHY JAPANESE DRAWING BOOKS ARE BETTER…”
November 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
“THE NON-ARTIST FIXATION ON HYPERREALISM AS THE PINNACLE OF ART IS CLEARLY PART OF THE REASON SO MANY ADULTS THINK THEY CANNOT DRAW OR CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE FAILURES, KAWAII, FOLK ART, DOODLES, OR OTHER EASIER ENTRY POINTS ARE CONSIDERED CHILDISH, WHICH IS WHY JAPANESE DRAWING BOOKS ARE BETTER…”
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Well put by @drrachelbarr.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Well put by @drrachelbarr.bsky.social
Reposted by Emma Bolton
I don’t know what to say anymore other than to remind those in power that refugees are human beings with equal rights who, along with their children, deserve a safe, stable & integrated life in their communities and that what they’re breaking now with this performative cruelty can’t be fixed later.
The Labour government does not want to rule out deporting somebody once here as a refugee 16-19 years with a British-born 15 year old child
November 19, 2025 at 6:55 AM
I don’t know what to say anymore other than to remind those in power that refugees are human beings with equal rights who, along with their children, deserve a safe, stable & integrated life in their communities and that what they’re breaking now with this performative cruelty can’t be fixed later.
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Did you read my post from last week about how contract woes caused me to withdraw an accepted story from F&SF, ending my 54-year quest to be published in that magazine? But wait (as the saying goes) — there's more! Scroll down at the link for an update. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
A dream denied: My 54-year quest to publish a short story in F&SF ‹ Scott Edelman
www.scottedelman.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Did you read my post from last week about how contract woes caused me to withdraw an accepted story from F&SF, ending my 54-year quest to be published in that magazine? But wait (as the saying goes) — there's more! Scroll down at the link for an update. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Kelly Hayes’ writing and her Movement Memos Podcast episodes about AI have been immensely useful to me and I recommend them. In this clip from our recent conversation, Kelly talks about how AI is emerging in a context of alienation and dehumanization.
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Kelly Hayes’ writing and her Movement Memos Podcast episodes about AI have been immensely useful to me and I recommend them. In this clip from our recent conversation, Kelly talks about how AI is emerging in a context of alienation and dehumanization.
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Reposted by Emma Bolton
DYK, that sepia ink was originally made from squid ink?
DYK, that it is possible to recover the remains of ink from fossil Belemnites?
DYK, that Mary Anning discovered this?
DYK, that you can reconstitute that fossil squid ink and use it to draw?
DYK, this was en vogue in the 19th century?
DYK, that it is possible to recover the remains of ink from fossil Belemnites?
DYK, that Mary Anning discovered this?
DYK, that you can reconstitute that fossil squid ink and use it to draw?
DYK, this was en vogue in the 19th century?
The Geological Society
- Fossil sepia, described 1829
Discover and access geoscience information resources via one of the world’s premier Earth science libraries. Search our collection of printed books, maps and journals, e-journals, internet resources, ...
www.geolsoc.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
DYK, that sepia ink was originally made from squid ink?
DYK, that it is possible to recover the remains of ink from fossil Belemnites?
DYK, that Mary Anning discovered this?
DYK, that you can reconstitute that fossil squid ink and use it to draw?
DYK, this was en vogue in the 19th century?
DYK, that it is possible to recover the remains of ink from fossil Belemnites?
DYK, that Mary Anning discovered this?
DYK, that you can reconstitute that fossil squid ink and use it to draw?
DYK, this was en vogue in the 19th century?
Reposted by Emma Bolton
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
November 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
Reposted by Emma Bolton
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 AM
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
Reposted by Emma Bolton
Note that every piece of anti-migrant propaganda I take personally. No, I’m not playing good immigrant, bad immigrant. This hate agenda is bad for ALL of us.
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Note that every piece of anti-migrant propaganda I take personally. No, I’m not playing good immigrant, bad immigrant. This hate agenda is bad for ALL of us.
Reposted by Emma Bolton
The European Commission uses ChatGPT outputs in public documents.
@iccl.bsky.social has filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman as this use likely violates Commission's own guidelines and its obligation under EU treaties
www.iccl.ie/news/europea...
@iccl.bsky.social has filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman as this use likely violates Commission's own guidelines and its obligation under EU treaties
www.iccl.ie/news/europea...
European Commission breaches own AI guidelines by using ChatGPT in public documents
ICCL has filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman against the European Commission for its use of generative AI in public documents, which likely violates its own guidelines and its obligation under...
www.iccl.ie
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 AM
The European Commission uses ChatGPT outputs in public documents.
@iccl.bsky.social has filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman as this use likely violates Commission's own guidelines and its obligation under EU treaties
www.iccl.ie/news/europea...
@iccl.bsky.social has filed a complaint to the European Ombudsman as this use likely violates Commission's own guidelines and its obligation under EU treaties
www.iccl.ie/news/europea...
Reposted by Emma Bolton
It was the Holy Shit of times, it was the Big Yikes of times, it was the age of WTF, it was the age of LMFAO, it was the epoch of Fuck Around, it was the epoch of Find Out
Yikes
November 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
It was the Holy Shit of times, it was the Big Yikes of times, it was the age of WTF, it was the age of LMFAO, it was the epoch of Fuck Around, it was the epoch of Find Out
Reposted by Emma Bolton
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.