Fun
Lazy Sunday: Nell Painter, Old in Art School
Dear Kay,
Nell Painter is a famed historian.
Nell Painter is the author of important books.*
For most people, that would be plenty.
For Nell Painter, that was a start.
After retiring from Princeton, she decided to go to art school. And after obtaining her BFA and MFA in painting from Rhode Island School of Design, she wrote a memoir of her experience: Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over.
There’s just so much to take in—she talks about what “old” means, about the pursuit of life as an artist, about what it feels like to embark on an entirely new path.
I think you’ll love this conversation filmed during her visit to the Harvard Book Store.
The only other thing about the dazzling Nell Painter I’ll mention: I happen to know that she is a knitter. I mean, of course she is.
Love,
Ann
*Books by Nell Painter:
The History of White People (NYT front page review here.)
Creating Black Americans: African American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present
Southern History Across the Color Line
Exodusters: Black Migration to Kansas After Reconstruction
Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol
Standing at Armageddon: The United States, 1877-1919
The Narrative of Hosea Hudson: His Life as a Negro Communist in the South
Perfect inspiration to start the day. So much to ponder.
Wow! Thanks! *Old in Art School* has been on my Audible wish list ever since it came out. This just pushes me over the edge. Time to use up that credit!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! I would not have known about Dr. Painter’s book, at least not right away. As a professor and as a “woman of a certain age”, I have decided to retire in 2020 to become a recovering academic and embark on my next act. Knitting and textiles have been a passion since childhood, and I am hoping to do something in this area, but hearing Dr.Painter inspires me to think bigger, to believe in living a life full of passion despite -or because of- my age, and not just sit in a quiet corner knitting. I can’t wait to read her book and continue to be inspired. Thank you!
…unless knitting IS your next act. One of the things I’ve done in retirement (2011) is that I have taken my knitting much more seriously, helped to found a Knitters Guild (part of the American Knitters Guild or whatever it is called), taken quite a lot of classes, and LEARNED a lot! I’ve even bought yarn in another country, painstakingly doing all the translations to figure out yardage, yarn size, etc.) I’ve had a lot of other things to deal with (moving across the country, a cancer diagnosis, big volunteer responsibilities), but knitting has been the constant throughout, and I have found it to be soothing in stressful situations.
I just ordered it from the library. Thank you!
I love when she makes her audience say with her: Say it loud! I’m OLD and I’m proud!
Thank you! Just placed a hold on it at my local library.
Ok, I am buying this book. This is exactly what I want to do when I retire: go to art school. Or at least start taking lessons and painting again. I was planning, in high school, to go on and study art but instead my music talent began to reveal itself and I decided that while I would certainly get too old to sing, I wouldn’t get too old to paint so I studied music instead. I am retiring at the end of next semester (May) and I am ready!
I love Dr. Painter’s historical work and I knew she had gone back to art school…but she’s also a knitter?!?!?!?!!?!?! ***swoon***
Oh. Oh wow. “Old in Art School” has been in my TBR pile for a while…and now it’s moved to the very top.
When touring art schools with my artist child, I so wished I could go to school with her! How exciting that Dr. Painter did go and do something she wanted to do!
Wow, this talk is such an inspiration! Thanks for shining a light on the amazing Dr. Painter.
Once upon a time, I was old in art school working on my MA and my MFA. I look forward to reading this. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thank you for this inspiring talk. Has got me signing back up for the Harvard Book Store list of events! Dr. Painter has me thinking about the reimagining and re-creation of our selves that she so embodies. Making me rethink my retirement plans. Can’t wait to read the book.
It is gems like this that make Snippets such a joy to read every Saturday morning. You guys are the best curators of material for leading a creative life.
Borrowed the audiobook from my library immediately (for this weekend’s knitting) and adding some hard copies to my holiday gift-giving, as well.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I just finished listening to Nell read this book to me, free on my Libby app I loved it! Thanks so much for the tip. And the Libby app is great.