Karen Russell
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karenrussell.bsky.social
Karen Russell
@karenrussell.bsky.social
1K followers 370 following 1.7K posts
Books, travel, higher ed, and PR/media.
Madison, Wisconsin
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karenrussell.bsky.social
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekXforXmas the angel tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Met, NYC
A 20’ tree decorated with angels towers above the nativity scene on a platform in the museum’s Medieval Sculpture Hall. It is on display every year from November to January.
December 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekXforXmas
Lincoln Center Christmas tree (waiting to see the NYC Ballet’s Nutcracker), 2023
A raised platform covered by a red carpet holds an artificial tree smothered in lights, silver garland, and ornaments. A few large boxes are scattered around the base, decorated to look like wrapped gifts. Behind the tree there are glass doors reflecting the tree.
December 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekXforXmas
Rockefeller Center tree, 2023
The tree almost fills the frame, with a fence in front of it and tall buildings surrounding it. It’s covered in colorful electric bulbs, lighting up the dusk
December 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Pointillism up close
A small portion on Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jette zoomed in on the head of the black dog. Small dots of color are visible especially in the grass which is mostly green but with yellow, blue, white, and pink mixed in
December 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Pointillism from a distance
Closeup of Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jette
December 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
I don’t usually share something that started in “Twitter” but this must be shared
Ranking SEC teams by rushing this week: 1. Georgia 141 2T. Everyone else with 0 and 16. Alabama-3
December 8, 2025 at 2:15 AM
karenrussell.bsky.social
First edition of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe at the Lincoln presidential museum in Springfield, Illinois
Book placed on an acrylic stand open to the title page which includes the the title, author, and an illustration of people in the doorway of a humble cabin. The stand is placed in a glass case with a red base and there is a page of text on the wall behind it.
December 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
#BlueskyArtShow The #sky over the Grand Canyon putting on a show at sunset. 2023
Dark, shadowy rock formations under a sky of pink and orange clouds
December 6, 2025 at 2:47 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Happy #scape day
Iceland
Vibrant colors of orange, brown, and cream on a hill with people ascending trails that lead up toward a gap running down part of the hill. Sulfur mist hanging over various spots on the hill indicates geothermal activity.
December 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Welp
Painting of a dramatic woman in a black dress with text If you’re waiting for me to act normal I hope you packed a snack
December 5, 2025 at 12:24 AM
karenrussell.bsky.social
This #WindowsOnWednesday I’m thinking about awnings 🙂
Building with arched windows, each with a green awning that can be opened or closed for light or shade
December 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Madison Public Library after snow #books #reading
Letters spelling out the name partially obscured by snow
November 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Ceremonial robe from the Order of St. Stephen, Imperial Treasury in Vienna
November 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, Art Institute of Chicago
November 29, 2025 at 11:17 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Close up of a well worn, cozy quilt on display at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
November 29, 2025 at 11:14 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Abraham Lincoln’s wood burning stove, Springfield, Illinois
November 29, 2025 at 11:13 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
Went through my 2025 photos for some unexpected examples of #warmth for the #BlueskyArtShow this week. Enjoy!
Girl with Her Dog — statue in Budapest
November 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
This makes me giggle
Number of Muss Universe titles won. Earth 62 with a picture of the planet from space. Rest of the universe: 0 with a massive picture of space crammed full of stars, planets, etc.
November 27, 2025 at 4:42 AM
karenrussell.bsky.social
And since it’s #rockinTuesday here’s another from Death Valley #NationalPark
Waves of undulating rock and sand glow almost white in the stark sun, while in the back taller hills in shades of red and brown provide shade over part of the scene.
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
The bluest sky I’ve ever seen. Death Valley #NationalPark where the rocks and sand provide stark contrast to the unchanging deep blue over head. #ProtectOurParks
Mounds of rock and sand in browns and beige, lighted to warm tones by the sun, and a cloudless blue sky.
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
karenrussell.bsky.social
“You’ll be visited by three spirits.”

The three spirits:
The three stooges acting up 😂
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 AM
karenrussell.bsky.social
The golden hour on Lake Mendota. At this time of year, that’s 4 pm.
A sidewalk runs beside the concrete barrier along the lake. The water is cold and dark, but the houses and trees in the distance are shining in the sunlight below a cloudless blue sky.
November 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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The #Stunday part of this is that we still need it.
Springfield, Illinois, on the street near Lincoln’s home.
Small, shingled log cabin on wheels with Abraham Lincoln posters on the sides, including one that says “Union, Liberty, Honor.” It’s parked in the shade on a tree-lined street.
November 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
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And here is a painting of a similar dollhouse also at the Rijksmuseum
November 23, 2025 at 2:52 AM
karenrussell.bsky.social
#BlueskyArtShow #small the miniatures at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam!
Closeup of the interior of a dollhouse with eight rooms on three floors, and with meticulously rendered furnishings, wall and floor coverings, etc. The house is in a wood cabinet on a table so it’s easy to peer inside.
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM