Life wisdom from Harriet the Spy
And a peek at the new triptych paintings.
I was 8 when Harriet the Spy came out in 1996, a perfect age for this fun, musical and wise movie about a girl with a passion for observation and documenting what she sees. It’s peak ‘90s Nickelodeon media.
The first time watching it as an adult I was stunned at the heaps of life wisdom woven into it that applies to my adult life, most of it dispensed from Harriet’s nanny, Golly, played by Rosie O’Donnell.
“There are as many ways to live as there are people in this world. And each one deserves a closer look.”
“[A high pressured job] is when you don’t get to do what you want, and when you do, you don’t have time to do it.”
“Not long ago I had another life. I had a big business, I had a lot of money, and you know what? I was the most miserable man alive.” This is said by Golly’s date who continues to say, “I don’t have the business, I don’t have the money, but my life is sweet again.”
“Just because you’re on your own doesn’t mean the world stops turning, or that there are no more fascinating people to observe and fill your notebooks with.”
“You’re an individual and you know something? That makes people nervous. And it’s going to keep making people nervous your whole life.” Harriet then asks Golly, “What do I do?” “You stay true to Harriet and you accept the cost.”
“Good friends are one of life’s blessings. Don’t give them up without a fight.”
Harriet is my kindred spirit—she explores by herself, observes what she sees, spends time with her friends and eats the same lunch everyday because as she simply puts it to her mother who is encouraging her to switch it up, “Mom, I can’t help it if I know what I like, and I know that I like tomato.” (AND HARRIET’S MOTHER IS GERRI FROM SUCCESSION, J. Smith-Cameron.)
And then there’s that heartbreaking scene when her classmates spill blue paint all over her and she runs home to get in the tub and scrub it off. I found an interview about this scene with the director who said, “When your friends turn against you as a kid, it’s the end of your life as you know it. It represented the worst moment of Harriet’s life, but she’s no shrinking violet, which is what I loved about her forever.”
More Harriet:
Harriet the Spy’s Dramatic Blue Paint Scene Gets An Oral History
Entertainment Weekly Nov. 2016
J. Smith-Cameron Answers Every Question We Have About Harriet the Spy
Vulture Sept. 2021
work in progress
I’ve spent this month penciling in the compositions for my triptych. Number one of the three (below) is the most detailed image I’ve ever put on canvas. Two of the three are mostly drawn and it’s cool to see them next to each other as they take shape.
things worth sharing
BOOK: Broad Strokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made History (In That Order) by Bridget Quinn - Excellllllllent book if you want to learn more about this topic.
QUOTE: “People are unreasonable, illogical and self centered; love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, alternative motives; do good anyway. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shut down by the smallest people with the smallest minds; think big anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight; build anyway. Give the world the best you have and you’ll be kicked into defeat; give the world the best you’ve got anyway.” -Hedy Lamarr