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Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

4.8K followers 6.8K following 2.1K posts

Artist, poet, writer & PhD Sociologist living & working at an American University in China 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🇨🇳

Art: https://www.pictorem.com/gallery/Robert.Burton

& website
https://www.rob-burton.co.uk/art-for-sale

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepe

Posts Replies Media Videos

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · Sep 4

Starting a thread: a poem a day by Han Shan (Cold Mountain). This Tang-era recluse became a muse for Jack Kerouac & Gary Snyder. His words on cold cliffs, quiet minds, and the noisy world are startlingly modern. #HanShan #BeatGeneration (translator RED PINE (Bill Porter) #Poetry

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

I must remember to but some Grace into my phone playlist - it's a serious omission

#music

youtu.be/yvLn_qC7QAs?...

Grace Jones - Private Life (1980)

YouTube video by Chrissy Darling

youtu.be

November 22, 2025 at 12:32 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Friday - long day teaching before the weekend. Of course my students will be spellbound. Today, for example, I will be teaching the mysteries of the English Articles and how to use them. They will be entranced, of course.

#music

youtu.be/TjvvK-Rj0WI?...

Siouxsie And The Banshees - Spellbound (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by SiouxsieBansheesVEVO

youtu.be

November 20, 2025 at 11:16 PM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

A view of the #sky out of my #art room window. Not so #blue yesterday. #BWFri

Black-and-white photo of dramatic, textured clouds filling the sky above tall apartment buildings. The buildings on the left and right appear as dark silhouettes framing the bright, cloud-covered sun in the centre. The contrast between the heavy sky and the sharp building outlines gives the scene an atmospheric, almost cinematic mood.

November 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

A large italianate style church looms large over a river in Wenzhou, China, giving lie to the myth that religion is banned in #China #scape

A misty riverside scene in rural China, with light rain dimpling the surface of a wide, calm river. In the distance, a large white church with domed roofs and a red cross rises above the surrounding trees and low buildings, partially obscured by thick grey fog. Lush greenery lines both banks, and a small bridge crosses the river near the church, adding to the quiet, atmospheric mood.

November 20, 2025 at 11:04 PM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Construction workers in Hangzhou, China cleaning the street - vehicles cannot leave sites with muddy wheels - they and the roads are washed and kept clean. #HumansOfBlueSky #UrbanGaze

Two construction workers in Hangzhou clean mud from the road at night. One worker sprays water across the wet street while another stands nearby holding a hose. Behind them, a white car waits at the construction site exit, where vehicles must have their wheels washed before leaving. Tall residential towers glow with hundreds of small window lights in the background.

November 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

This just popped up on YouTube - a video I made for a friend who wrote the song and music. 5 years ago - 2020 - when the world was a different place.

I enjoyed the process - I hope you enjoy the vid.

#music #video

youtu.be/gbzamxaG-w0?...

Kate Soul - Find My Way Home(2020)

YouTube video by Kate Soul

youtu.be

November 19, 2025 at 9:21 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

I'm not sure if I understand what #Pinterest is or does but my #artwork is on it - you can see it here: pin.it/2cSllLjaS #artyear #EastCoastKin #artist

Rob (ThePeoplesdog) - Profile | Pinterest

Rob | Artist living and working in Wenzhou, China.

pin.it

November 19, 2025 at 1:19 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Banana - #WackyWednesdayArt As is traditional with #banana art, let the bidding start at $1,000,000 Thank you. #art #artyear #EastCoastKin (Let's beat the $6m ceiling for a banana stuck to a wall by tape) 👩‍🎨😀🍌

A bold abstract painting of a yellow banana set against a vivid, textured background of red, pink, turquoise, and white brushstrokes. Energetic splatters of blue, yellow, and white paint streak across the image, giving the piece a lively, chaotic feel.

November 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

I sent off an article to an academic journal recently, Im now in that period of waiting for "my man" to get back to me to see if it's publishable.

#academicangst #AcademicSky
#music

youtu.be/5NcJvi5TYEk?...

Keith Richards - I'm Waiting For The Man (Lou Reed Cover) (Official Video)

YouTube video by Keith Richards

youtu.be

November 19, 2025 at 12:33 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

#animalarttuesday #cats

#music

youtu.be/mcUza_wWCfA?...

The Cure - The Lovecats

YouTube video by TheCureVEVO

youtu.be

November 17, 2025 at 10:59 PM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

AnimalArtTuesday -three friends #cats #cat - ink

A minimalist ink painting titled 3 Friends, showing three stylized cats sitting side by side. Each cat is a simple silhouette filled with flowing watercolor blends: one in greens, one in warm orange-browns, and one in deep blue tones. Their curved tails and delicate whiskers add charm, while the textured paper enhances the soft, inky gradients.

November 17, 2025 at 10:55 PM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Follow up to my Blue Sky photo #BlueSkyMonday

#Music

youtu.be/aQUlA8Hcv4s?...

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky (Official Video)

YouTube video by ELOVEVO

youtu.be

November 17, 2025 at 1:31 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

When people tell you about the "polluted air" in China, show them this picture of a November (16th) sky, pure #blue not a cloud to be seen. This is where I live Ouhia District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. #BlueSkyMonday - The white building is the #Tesla Showroom and workshop.

A clear, bright view over Ouhai District in Wenzhou, China, taken on November 16th, 2025. Modern high-rise buildings stand against a backdrop of distant mountains under a deep blue sky, with distinctive white-roofed structures in the foreground catching the morning light.

November 17, 2025 at 1:27 AM

Reposted by Rob Burton

Robyn

@handcranked.bsky.social

Your art challenge cheat sheet for Nov 17–23 is here!

Host list + posts from them in the comments

#EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBluesky #photography
#dailyart #art #traditionalart #painting #drawing #onlybeautifulthings #artchallenge #artprompt

Art Challenges: November 17–23

Monday, November 17
#BlueSkyMonday (anything blue)
#MacroMonday (any macro)
#MountainMonday (mountains)
#MinimalMonday (minimalism)
#ColorADay (#PinkMon)
#NightmareNov (#teeth)

Tuesday, November 18
#RockinTuesday (rocks)
#TidesOutTuesday
#TagTuesday (graffiti/street art)
#AnimalArtTuesday
#ColorADay (#BlueTue or #CyanTue)
#NightmareNov (#liquid)

Wednesday, November 19
#WaterfallWednesday
#WindowsOnWednesday
#WackyWednesdayArt (odd/unusual)
#WallsOnWednesday
#ColorADay (#RedWed)
#NightmareNov (#apathy)

Thursday, November 20
#HumansOfBlueSky (people)
#UrbanGaze (anything urban)
#PalacesAndGardens (#UpholsteryAndTextiles)
#ColorADay (#YellowThu)
#NightmareNov (#black)

Friday, November 21
#scape (any kind of scape)
#FishyFriday
#ForestFriday
#FoodOnFriday
#FlyDay (critters that fly)
#ColorADay (#BWFri)
#NightmareNov (#disease)

Saturday, November 22
#BNWmacro
#ColorADay (#GreenSat)
#BlueSkyArtShow (#small)
#NightmareNov (#disgust)

Sunday, November 23
#Stunday (stunning)
#ImageAndVerse (photos with
poems written by you or anyone)
#BNWmacro
#ColorADay (#OrangeSun)
#SelfPortraitSunday
(#HiddenInPlainSight)
#NightmareNov (#arms)

ALL WEEK
#ArtYear (any art)
#ArtOfSelfPortraiture
#BirdOfTheDay (see Alan H or Rob Crank for daily prompt)
#ClassicMono (monochrome)
#FestiveDailyRobin (robin pics through December 31)
#smArtist (purposeful art)
#AlphabetChallenge (#WeekUForUnloved)**
#SensoryArt (#water)

*Blend into background
**Rundown and/or neglected things

November 17, 2025 at 12:32 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Sunset over the montains of Wenzhou, China. The valley filled with smoke from the autumn burn-off in the fields. #MountainMonday #ClassicMono #China #phonetography

A black-and-white photograph of the Wenzhou mountains at sunrise or sunset, the sun hidden behind the jagged ridge line and casting a soft glow into the sky. Below the mountains, a valley town sits shrouded in drifting smoke from autumn burn-offs, creating a hazy, atmospheric layer over the clustered buildings and fields.

November 17, 2025 at 1:16 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Daoist (Taoism) temples in China are fantatsic example of local Folk Art. Everyone we visit is stunning. A continued traditon of over 2,500 years - this is the one we visited today - its just down the road from us. #Stunday #art #artyear #eastcoastkin #religion #China #taoism #daoism #folkart

Inside a Daoist temple in Wenzhou, two brightly painted warrior statues stand on either side of an ornate altar filled with red lanterns, flowers, and gold decorations. The colourful folk-art detailing on the pillars and ceiling highlights the rich local craftsmanship.

A central altar inside a Wenzhou Daoist temple, framed by vivid red railings, carved gold ornaments, and two elaborately painted guardian figures. Red offering bowls and temple decorations fill the wooden table in the foreground, showcasing local folk-art traditions.

Close-up of a folk-art statue in a Wenzhou Daoist temple, showing a female figure with bright red makeup, floral hair ornaments, and a hand raised in a ritual gesture. The flaking paint reveals layers of age and craftsmanship.

Another close-up of a female Daoist statue in Wenzhou, painted in vivid blues, reds, and golds. The detailed hair ornaments and patterned robes highlight traditional folk-art styles, with visible wear that adds character and history.

November 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Having a Sunday nap I have to make sure there's enough room for one of the cats, who now the weather/room is getting chillier, has decided that the sofa is now for sharing. I have to wedge my legs to the right to accommodate him. #cat #cats

Cat sharing the sofa with me. Legs wedged to the right.

November 16, 2025 at 5:48 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Humans, have always looked up to the stunning moon #stunday and wonder about the mysteries of the universe. #classicmono #clouds #moon #photography

A dramatic night sky filled with thick, textured clouds part around the bright moon, creating a glowing centre of light above the corner of a building; a reminder of how humans have always found the moon stunning.

November 16, 2025 at 4:51 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Inky Friends: It must be #caturday somewhere. #Cats #cat #ink #art #artyear #eastcoastkin

Three stylised “inky cats” painted in rich washes of ink colour – green, orange, and blue – sitting side by side, watching, like three quiet friends, their simple silhouettes and whiskers giving them a gentle, companionable presence.

November 16, 2025 at 4:47 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

7:30 am Sunday Morning. This is a great toon to listen to with that first cofee.

#Music

youtu.be/iL1kUOomzoE?...

The Beatles - In My Life (Take 1)

YouTube video by TheBeatlesVEVO

youtu.be

November 15, 2025 at 11:31 PM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

One of my larger artworks sold. The first one really, after a year of showing my work. Here in China my smaller works do sell but to sell bigger at a higher price is more difficult. This is acrylic on recycled cardboard (another hard sell) in a clear perspex frame. #art #artyear #eastcoastkin #dog

A sold artwork displayed inside a clear perspex frame, featuring a loose, expressive painting of a black-eared dog in an energetic, splattered style. The bright white background and bold black and orange strokes make the piece stand out sharply against the tall bamboo stalks behind it.

November 15, 2025 at 9:42 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

Ive been gettin many emails from Book Clubs, Agents, Publishers, Book Marketers about my book. Apparently they love it. But I don't seem to have sold one recently despite its 5⭐️ Maybe they borrowed one from a friend or library?

You might like it too (Xmas!) (C ALT)

www.amazon.com/Twelfth-Rune...

Book Cover

BLURB
Charlie is a novelist living and working in Marazion, Cornwall with his wife Annie. He once saved the world with the help of a 12th Century Scottish ghost called Nye. But that’s another story. And oh, whether he likes it or not he is “The Chosen One.” Charlie lives a quiet life trying to put the past behind him and likes nothing better than visiting the local coffee shop and chatting with his Cornish friend Myghal and being served cakes by Lyndsey.Out on a local clay mine tip searching for amethysts for Annie, his wife’s jewellery business they find a strange 12 sided box buried deep in the cloying white clay, later that evening they open the box to find a large amethyst. Inside the stone is a mark, it is the twelfth rune – Jeren. This discovery leads them on a frantic chase through the myths and legends of Cornwall, bringing them face to face with King Arthur’s killer – Modred, as they attempt to save the world from the predicted Armageddon.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Twelfth-Rune-Rob-Burton/dp/B08RT9K1NJ

November 15, 2025 at 12:56 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

#BNWMacro Foxtail Grass Wenzhou China #phonetography #photography

A black-and-white close-up of a single fuzzy foxtail grass seed head, sharply in focus against a softly blurred background of leaves and stems.

November 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM

Rob Burton

@trebornotrub.bsky.social

woo finally, after months of waiting, I'm getting paid for some proofreading/minor editing of a (terrible) novel. The author is apparently "satisfied" (contact via 3rd party)- but no "chicks for free" now just the wait for the money 4 nothing in the bank...

#music

youtu.be/wTP2RUD_cL0?...