Skewed North by Jolene Dames
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Have You Looked Around Lately?
No, for real.
Jul 3
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Jolene Dames
June 2026
The House of Self
Here’s a truth: I work in movies and television, and I hardly watch TV.
Jun 28
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Jolene Dames
1
Shift, Shift, Pivot, Pivot
An honest essay about injury, creative identity, and choosing a clearer path. I’m shifting my Substack into the workshop for my memoir — one public…
Jun 21
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Jolene Dames
2
2
A Week of Holding Things Together
I had plans for a different essay this week.
Jun 13
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Jolene Dames
1
1
Maybe I’m Not Scattered
What if the way we work through things isn't a problem but a solution?
Jun 5
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Jolene Dames
May 2026
The Things I Carry Home
On collecting objects, memories, and the parts of ourselves we leave behind
May 29
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Jolene Dames
Safety Yellow
It's a thing
May 26
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Jolene Dames
1
Making Things Look Like They’ve Always Been There
A behind-the-scenes look at scenic painting for film, from The Chair to transforming real spaces, and the art of making temporary worlds feel permanent.
May 24
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Jolene Dames
I Missed the Story Because I Was Looking at the Paint
A scenic artist reflects on working in film and visiting Meow Wolf, exploring the difference between temporary sets and immersive art built to endure.
May 22
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Jolene Dames
1
Doorways
I opened my refrigerator the other morning and thought about Santa Fe.
May 19
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Jolene Dames
The Boy Behind the Glass
A childhood memory of the first time I understood what it meant to lose yourself
May 17
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Jolene Dames
1
How to Make an Alien Feel Like It Belongs in a Toy Store
I spent years painting and designing worlds for film, television, and theater — places that had to feel real, even when they weren’t.
May 16
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Jolene Dames
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