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Inside a 91-Year-Old Painter's NYC Loft

Joshua Charow

315,575 views

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Hilda O'Connell was born in the Bronx, New York City in 1934. Her work has been exhibited at Yale University, AIR Gallery, TAI gallery, and more. To learn more or contact Hilda O'Connell: https://www.hildaoconnell.com/

Video Directed by Joshua Charow
Cinematography by Luke Piotrowski
Edited by Abraham Howard

Thank you to Leica Camera for providing me with the Leica SL3-S that I use to take all of my photographs!

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20 Comments

@evilldead6824 7 months ago

Most beautiful thing to say about ur life and friends, "I didn't take a lot of pictures of these people, it was an experience." It's like she was talking directly to the young people of today

@lulywcali 6 months ago (edited)

I am an old woman. I don't live in a loft, but I have a room in my suburban coastal San Diego home. I discovered art as a form of self-expression only two short years ago. I'd never taken an art course. But was bitten. As this woman stated, "it changed my life". If I live long enough, I hope I'm only a fraction as prolific and expressive as she has clearly been, and telling a story like she is, even if nobody hears, reads, or sees it. This work you do is priceless. I'm glad I stumbled on it.

@ZobeesMom 6 months ago

I'm 72 and have struggled all of my life to be the artist I wanted to be. It was always something...my parents did support my art, I went to college, I moved to the west coast and built my first studio. When I married we had 2 children and they came first, the 2 jobs, the chores, on and on. Now I have the time, the space and the supplies....I've just lost some inspiration. But I am absolutely inspired to see what she has accomplished. I won't give up now! Thank you so much.

@luvurobert 7 months ago

8:36 "You know what's important to an artist? It's the will to do it, to see it through." ❤

@MarisB-o1w 6 months ago

We are not our age we are our energy ...this lady is the living example ❤

@kathleenwing1590 6 months ago

As an aging artist myself I found this woman an inspiration . Art is work. Sometimes enjoyable. Sometimes painful. It is work all the same. It is a commitment but its a wonderful commitment.❤❤

@Szkcowlqdj7 7 months ago

"People are so stupid" she is the best. and right

@penhillam5598 6 months ago

Thank you. I am 75 years old still teaching and painting. My children's book is being publish in London at the moment. We are still relevant. Thank you for the stories and respect for older artists❤

@jorarch1 7 months ago

What a beautiful Lady! You did a great job of just letting her speak......Thank you.

@LLTR00 7 months ago

Hilda followed her heart! Wouldn't everyone be happier if they did that? Such a lovely lady, and she does not look 91 at all! I love these videos, I look forward to every one of them.

@henrycooks1883 7 months ago

Hilda is priceless, thank you for telling us her story.

@Spot4art 7 months ago (edited)

That was just a brief glimpse of a world we will never see again. Thank you.

@melissavelasquez1151 6 months ago

You are an absolute genius for this concept of capturing these amazing artists and their studios before they are gone.

@jetsilla 7 months ago

I loved meeting Hilda, seeing her art , hearing her story and watching the compassion shown byJoshua. The filming was lovely too. 🙏

@boogiedownbronx73 7 months ago

its amazing how many 70,80, 90 year olds live in lofts in New York City....its like a dying breed of artists...

@davidkliman6224 6 months ago

This is so beautiful! I have known Hilda since the mid 1960s - she is like a second mother to me - and you have captured her spirit so perfectly THANK YOU!

@FRASERMCGREGOR72 7 months ago

I know I am going to enjoy this before even watching it. You are a beautiful film maker and storyteller, Your channel is gentle, sensitive, and inspiring. Thank you so much for all your hard work in finding these creative souls and telling their stories with empathy and warmth.