Today we celebrate the 105th birthday of the amazing Frida Kahlo! The artist that continues to inspire many people around the world. Like every year, google is dedicating it's doodle to the mexican painter:
Early this year I was able to see some of Frida Kahlo's paintings in person, read more about it here
It's been more than 15 years since I first met Frida and thought today was perfect to tell you all the story of how I fell in love with her. =) Well, more like the short version of the story because it took years for me to fall in love with her and her art!
Wile I was growing up in México, I used to follow my aunties everywhere! I was their chaperon when they went on dates, their little helper when they went shopping, and they would even take me to their college classes as their lucky charm. One of my aunties, the artist, was studying architecture at another state and I loved hanging out with her when she came home every weekend because she would take me to her painting classes and her meet ups with the other artists of the town. It was at one of these artist gatherings that I first saw the amazing art ofFrida Kahlo, as my auntie and her friends discussed the suffering she expressed on her paintings.
It wasn't love at first sight, as you can imagine, my 8 year old mind didn't really understandFrida's art and I couldn't get pass the naked bodies and the blood. Luckily, I was surrounded by so many Frida lovers that took the time to teach me about her life and her art! My auntie's friends would give me short art history lessons on her whenever they had the chance, and I remember being really fascinated by the way all of them explained Kahlo's paintings. I checked out a kids biography on the artist at our local library and couldn't believe how strong and brave she was. I actually did a project on her when I was in 6th grade and my teacher was really amazed that I chose Frida Kahlo.
I believe It wasn't until I was about 14 years old that I really fell completely in love with FridaKahlo. It was about the same time that I really started appreciating and embracing my culture and Kahlo is a really strong cultural figure and I admired the way she always celebrated hermestizaje. Something that makes Mexican culture so special and different is our strong indigenous heritage, and Frida Kahlo fully embraced it and inspired so many other to do so. I loved her art and her life was so inspiring that she soon became one of my favorite people. I believe she was a really strong mujer, and I truly admire her for being so brave to express her life on her paintings and simply living to the fullest even though she went trough very harsh experiences.
Feliz Cumple Fridocha! May your legacy continue to conquer many more hearts!
Viva Frida! I truly like your anecdote in how you fell in luv with Frida's art..
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