Copyright © 2013 by K. Lorraine Books
Kahlo’s life began and ended in Mexico City, in her home, which known as “La Casa Azul,” the Blue House. But according to the official birth registry, the birth took place at the nearby home. It was the home of her maternal grandmother
She was Born Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderón. She was born on July 6, 1907 in Mexico City, Mexico, a village on the outskirts of Mexico City. Frieda Died, July 13, 1954 (aged 47) in Coyocacan, Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexican culture and tradition are important in her work. Her work is characterized as naïve art or folk art. Kahlo suggested, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”
Kahlo later described the atmosphere in her childhood home as often “Sad”. She contracted polio when she was six. Frida Kahlo also enjoyed art. She received drawing instruction from her father’s friend, and filled notebooks with sketches.
Frida suffered severe injuries in a school bus crash. She was in isolation for many months. To occupy herself during her recovery, she continued to paint. She now painted in bed. Above the small easel, was a mirror, so she could paint herself.
Frida wore traditional Mexican peasant clothing of long, colorful skirts to emphasize her heritage. Her ensemble included elaborate headdresses and massive jewelry.
She moved to San Francisco in the early 1930’s. The six months spent in San Francisco were a productive period for Kahlo. She furthered her Folk Art style. Besides painting several friends ‘Frida and Diego Rivera,’ a double portrait based on their marriage.
The years 1937 and 1938 were a productive time. And she painted more than she had done in all her eight previous years. She insisted, “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”
Her most famous works, The Two Fridas (1939). The paintings show two versions of the artist sitting side by side, with both of their hearts exposed. One Frida is dressed nearly all in white and has a damaged heart and spots of blood on her clothing. The other wears bold colored clothing and has an intact heart. These figures are believed to represent “unloved” and “loved” versions of Kahlo.
Kahlo died on July 13 at her beloved Blue House. There has been some speculation regarding the nature of her death. It was reported to be caused by a pulmonary embolism, but there have also been stories about a possible suicide.
In the Catholic tradition, at baptism, a child has two first names. She preferred to spell her name “Frieda” until the late 1930s, when she dropped the ‘e’. Since her death, Kahlo’s fame as an artist has only grown. Her beloved Blue House was opened as a museum in 1958. Frieda has attracted popular interest. “Fridamania” describes the phenomenon. The art world considers her “one of the most recognizable artists”. She is still admired as a feminist icon.
I traveled to San Francisco in the late 1980’s. It was there, that I bought a doll. She had oriental features. I used this doll in a still life that I did several years later.
Cahlil in color by K. Lorraine
It was a few weeks ago that I was gifted a picture from my artist friend. She had started a portrait of Frida. She wanted to portray her as an Asian woman. But, she didn’t like it. My friend used colored markers as the medium. I liked what she started and accepted the unfinished picture.
I was confident that I could redo the picture. I’m not a student of Folk Art, but I do like it. The unfinished picture gave me shivers down my spine, but I didn’t know why. And then, it dawned on me. The picture reminded me of my Asian doll still life.
So, I dug my rendering out of my computer file, and I put the two side-by-side. I didn’t have any colored markers, but I had acrylic paints. I did what my heart instructed me to do. I finished the gift my friend had given me.
My jaw dropped to the floor.
I’ve always been drawn to my friend’s art work. We have a kinship with our love for painting. I also think that Frida herself, links our connection to Folk Art.
My first attempt painting Folk Art. What do you think?
Frida by K. Lorraine
Thank you for reading my post. K. Lorraine