Welcome to A Scholarly Skater! I’m Alexandra, an art historian and ice skater from the United States.
Enjoying the art of the past is the closest to time travel I’m likely to get, only much safer. And I think it helps me better understand the world I live in today. I believe that looking at artwork enriches everyone, even if some people don’t realize it yet.
I graduated from college in 2012 with a B.A. in art history and started A Scholarly Skater in 2013 as a place to write about art and interact with fellow art lovers. My favorite topics are Medieval Art and American Art. I’m particularly interested in gargoyles, illuminated manuscripts, Gothic architecture, John Singer Sargent, and the Hudson River School. But I write about other things, too.
Additionally, I strive to help people feel more comfortable visiting museums and enjoying art wherever they might encounter it. In Art Appreciation 101, I give my best advice on topics like planning a museum visit and where to enjoy art for free. I also have museum reviews and guides to major styles of art and architecture.
I’ve been figure skating since I was five years old. It doesn’t play as big a role in this website as it does in the title, but it’s a big part of who I am. I also enjoy dancing, reading, cooking, sewing, and learning about all sorts of things.
I’m always glad to hear from fellow art lovers! To get in touch with me, comment on any post.
Please Note
I don’t make money from this website in any way. If I recommend a book, website, museum, or anything else, it’s simply because I have enjoyed that product and think others will, too. However, I am sometimes paid to write pieces that are published elsewhere, and I may post links to those articles here. I re-publish some of my work on Medium, where I am eligible to earn money from it, but the same articles will always be available right here for free. If any of this ever changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.
My Work Has Been Published By
- Art Herstory
- Artips
- Artips Antisèches
- Biblio
- Citaliarestauro
- DailyArt App
- DailyArt Magazine
- Headstuff
- Prayers and Piazzas
- Questroyal Fine Art
- The Freelance History Writer
Hi Alexandra, Glad I found your blog. I also love art, architecture and gargoyles, and I used to be a figure skater. Seems like this blog was made for me
Hey there! Thanks for reading. Even before I clicked on your blog, I could tell from screen name and icon that I was really going to enjoy it, too. I’m glad we just met. 🙂
Hi Alexandra, thanks for following my art blog! It looks like we have similar interests (but not skating – the one time I was on skates I was terrified!), so I’m looking forward to delving into your blog, too.
I’m glad we’ve met. 🙂 I really enjoyed looking at your art on your blog.
Alexandra, thanks for the follow. I took a look at your Celtic Art articles. Very nice. I was unfamiliar with the Book of Resurrection, and now I need to learn more. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Hi there, thanks for dropping by and liking a post on Geokult-Travel.com. Your blog looks really interesting so am now following 🙂
Cheers
Tracey
Thanks for following. 🙂
Congratulations, dear Alexandra!
I have nominated your blog for a new award, the Real Neat Blog award.
More about this nomination is at
http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/real-neat-blog-award-congratulations-to-the-nominees/
Hi Alex this is artist Michael Budden writing to thank you for including my art in your post about Guy C Wiggins and paintings of NYC. I enjoy painting NY the most, especially winter scenes and thank you for shedding so light on my work.
Of course!! I’m always happy to talk about artists whose work resonates with me. 🙂
Hi Alex, I posted one of your O’Murnaghan pictures to a new Celtic Art group on Facebook that seems to be taking off. The forum is a regrouping of an old Yahoo Group that was active for 15 years, but gradually faded away as those things tended to. Have a look https://www.facebook.com/groups/1537431546526680/
Sounds interesting!! I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for letting me know about it. 🙂
Thanks Alexandra. This is a fascinating blog. I’m learning as well as being entertained. Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox.
Nice to meet you, Thom! I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog.
Hope you will enjoy the Jukebox also! Thom
Hi there, found you from the reblog on Italian in Italy. I am a former competitive ice skater too! As someone who loves Italy, I’m looking to learn more about art history. Looking forward to more of your posts!
Hi Stacy! I’m always so happy to meet other skaters on wordpress (and in general). 🙂 I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog.
Definitely, and thanks for the follow!
Dear Scholarly Skater:
Thank you so very much for the “like” of my recent piece, Patron Saint of Ireland, which was posted at First Night History. I enjoyed reading your own site.
If you found Patron Saint interesting, please feel free to read my blog, bio or a sample chapter at theoryofirony.com. The blog is a teaser for my book, Theory of Irony: How Jesus Led to Moon Golf, now available in print and Kindle formats at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=theory+of+irony.
Sincerely,
Erik Von Norden
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi there, I have nominated you for a Liebster Award. 🙂 Don’t feel obligated to post about it, but if you’d like to participate, you can find more details here:https://prayersandpiazzas.com/2016/06/20/a-sweet-award-and-more-about-me/
Blessings!
Thank you so much, Stacy! I will definitely participate. 🙂
Just stumbled upon your site. Never graduated with an art history degree but I love writing about artists, art history and culture and cultural work. Nice read! Continue to inspire us with your well-written and history-based articles about the arts. Love from the Islands Philippines!
Hi Noel. Thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my work. Please subscribe and come back soon. 🙂
I found your blog when searching for angels – your “grumpy angel” is great! I love medieval art. Thanks for this blog.
I, too, love medieval art and grumpy angels. And I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I found your site by pure chance. I have a background in architecture and photography and it’s good to find a site that accommodates both of these. Just sent you a note on gargoyles.
Regards
Barry
Welcome, Barry! Thank you for stopping by!