Tumblr Staff

So one thing that happens when you’ve been here for a while is that you end up with this archive of how you got to where you are now—a long lens of nostalgia on all the people you’ve been, those you’ve loved, and all the things you’ve done.

Adam JK (@adamjk​) was one of the first Artists on Tumblr—he’s literally been here for almost as long as we have! Since that first post, he’s journaled, made friends, found his queer community, met his future husband, and made some really great art that people really love.

We asked Adam to share some of the moments that shaped his identity—as a person, an artist, a writer, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. These are the posts he decided to talk about.

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This post really sums up how I used Tumblr for a long time. It was my diary and I didn’t think anybody was paying attention (because they weren’t).

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Usually in relationships, I was the one getting dumped, so when I had to break up with a guy, it felt so shitty, and I thought, “why isn’t there a thing for this?”The minimum order was 500 balloons, so I had 499 too many and posted about them. People started ordering them. I got some minor press coverage, I even got ripped off a few times! My art—really one of the first things I created that wasn’t for a client—was suddenly blowing up, and I put the profits (a few hundred dollars) back into this hobby of making novelty gift products nobody asked for.

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Around age 21, I became internet friends with a network of “Tumblr Gays” that made me feel more comfortable being myself. I would take the bus from Baltimore to NYC on weekends to meet up and go out and pretend brunch was an entire personality. At some point, I met Walt Cessna, who was flooding Tumblr with photos around that time. I feel like this photo captured me between two worlds, nervous about being on my own but excited to be my full queer self in New York.

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In 2013 I started making these “everything will be so good so soon” post-it note collages, and they took on a life of their own. So many people have told me this was their phone background or helped them through a hard time, and I learned the power of making hopeful, honest art. This particular reminder finds its way back to me just when I need it most, and I’m really proud to have re-drawn it for the back cover of my new book.

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My husband and I were mutuals but never exchanged messages or anything until one day I caved and asked him out. We both fell pretty hard for each other, and it was interesting how we kept posting on Tumblr while knowing the other could see it. We would buy each other donuts and flowers and write cute notes and the whole fucking thing. Before Mitchell, I never dated a guy longer than three months. Before me, he never thought about marriage. Love is real, and I’m so glad I didn’t listen to anyone who made me feel like I couldn’t find it for some reason.

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Tumblr… I love you. Thank you for being you!!!!!!

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As it happens, Adam actually recently finished making a little blue book about learning to be a person and then being that person. So if you want to know where he’s at today, here’s the trailer for that book. Happy Tuesday, Tumblr <3

Originally posted by hand-crafted-enriched-memes

DREAM TO MEME

We’re past the point of being able to ignore this now. @pixellecutie​’s sleeping brain dreamed a dream of marine biology, and you’ve all really put in the work to make it a meme in its own right. Who knew there were so many benefits to being a marine biologist?

~

The origins:

Originally posted by pixellecutie

The Minecraft axolotl version by @queerbeemc​:

Originally posted by queerbeemc

The Animorphs version by @jivs-jam​:

Originally posted by jivs-jam

Even @theshitpostcalligrapher​ chimed in. Thank you, @theshitpostcalligrapher​, for services rendered to the community:

Originally posted by theshitpostcalligrapher

This kissy fishy by @cryptidcanary​:

Originally posted by cryptidcanary

A reality check by @anxiety-plus​:

Originally posted by anxiety-plus

The tired marine biologist by @hustlerose: 

Originally posted by hustlerose

Above all things, sophisticated (@noneedtofearorhope​):

Originally posted by noneedtofearorhope

More cons (oh no!) according to @essential-npc​:

Originally posted by essential-npc

A delightfully different perspective, this time from the forest floor, by @bepisdrink​:

Originally posted by bepisdrink

A worthy remix by @charlesoberonn​:

Originally posted by charlesoberonn

We love coming up with new features to make your experience on Tumblr more visceral; when they don’t work out that way, we remove them to make space for new features. Unfortunately, group chats haven’t lived up to our expectations, so we’ll be removing them from Tumblr this month.

Some of you have really leaned into group chats, discussing the merits of various sourdough proofing times, sharing your WIPs with new audiences, and exchanging complicated fan theories on the provenance of Croki.

The majority of you, however, have preferred to have these interactions elsewhere. And so, as we get ready to remove the group chat feature from Tumblr, it’s time to take these conversations to your reblog chains, your replies, and your messages. We’ll leave your chats up until September 22 at 6pm EST. After that, well, the weird will continue to be your oyster.

September is back to school month, so we’re kicking things off with some astounding students and educators in the natural sciences to help get you into that particular zone if that is a zone you need to (or want to) get into.

@great-and-small​ is a vet student who hangs out with the likes of squirrels, horses, and wolves and makes an excellent zoology meme.

Originally posted by great-and-small

@carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory​ has all sorts of amazing facts relating to the natural sciences. Have you ever found yourself wanting to know more about the shipworm that isn’t actually a worm, but in fact, a mollusk? That looks very much like a worm?? And eats ships??? Read more here, and behold the shipworm’s handiwork below.

Originally posted by carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory

@alchemysciviz​ illustrates scientific processes and curiosities from biology, chemistry, and anthropology like this one about a panda’s coloring.

Originally posted by alchemysciviz

@neat-deadandlive-things​ is a grad school student of freshwater ecology who found some algae on the underside of a receptacle holding a different algae already being examined…and promptly made mystery algae fanart. Beautiful procrastination, we salute you.

Originally posted by neat-deadandlive-things

@lichenaday​ describes the weird and wonderful world of lichen. Here’s the lowdown on Oceanoplaca isidiosa for you.

Originally posted by lichenaday

Well now, we all know about furbies and worms on and off their strings. But are you familiar with the other pockets of toycore here on Tumblr? Here’s a selection of the best collections out there: 

@jellycatkid​ collects jellycat plushies. Here is a not-at-all-haunted cat. Nothing to see here! Aside from a very nice, normal cat.

Originally posted by jellycatkid

No list of toycore on Tumblr would be complete without @sofubis​—where nostalgia for our real or imagined pasts and futures culminates in a congregation of unfathomably cute (and often weird) vinyl oddities. Here, have a sad lizard with hands for feet.

Originally posted by sofubis

@1999babi​ walks the fine line of curating toys from in between millennia, which, it turns out, was just a big squidgy neon dream.

Originally posted by 1999babi

It’s so relaxing when a blog just does what it says it does. @calicocritteroftheday​ is one of those blogs. Reassuringly dependable, here you’ll get exactly one calico critter, once a day.

Originally posted by calicocritteroftheday

@my-monster-island​? Just monsters.

Originally posted by my-monster-island

Roll up! Roll up! It’s National Family Fun Month, apparently, so here’s a fun family for you. You know what they say—a family that braves fake flames and awe-inspiring obstacles together stays together. Something like that.

Anyway, meet @shadowtherat’s artistes! Never before have you seen this level of vibe! Chill! Dignity! Yes, their namesakes may make a really weird meal, but this friend-shaped family really does it all. Give it up for Olive! Donut! Egg! Omelet! Pickles! And Sugar!

♡ No ratties were harmed during the making of this video! ♡

tumblr tuesday: august art prompts

Boy howdy, y’all really do love an art challenge, don’tcha! And there are so many to choose from in the month of August! So, whether you seek the tension of a duel at dawn or feathered friends in all shapes, styles, and sizes, or an army a council of frogs—this month has ’em all. And with just under half the month to go, there’s still time to pony up and join in…or simply sit back and vibe with it.

Yeehawgust is in full swing collecting all your rootin’ ‘n’ tootin’ renditions of the wild west over on the official blog. That’s also where you’ll find the prompt list, should you need it. In the meantime, check these out: 

Six-Shooter by @ceilingcow

Originally posted by ceilingcow

Prickly Pear by @voltaical-art

Originally posted by voltaical-art

Rhinestone Cowboy by @naomisart

(🎵oh, and a playlist for your troubles🎵)

Originally posted by naomisart

Avian August has also taken flight in a big way, with some beautiful and diverse art styles joining the fray. Find your daily prompts here. Or simply sit back and enjoy the excellent specimens that have come home to roost:

@catsinthegarden

Originally posted by catsinthegarden

@shalmonsdraws

Originally posted by shalmonsdraws

@rolitae

Originally posted by hatleyco

Meanwhile, Frogust has taken a back seat this year, among all the birds and bulls. Here are a few intrepid individuals keeping this friend-shaped classic alive: 

@adyrene

Originally posted by adyrene

@ochrecavern

Originally posted by ochrecavern

@hatleyco

Originally posted by hatleyco