Beautifully written. Seamless. She was so fiercely talented & unique. I wonder about her upbringing. I would imagine her manner of dressing was perceived as radical. She was in a world which frowns on originality. Personal.
Jeanine- I love Frida's story. Thanks for sharing her backstory as well. "Mayaphile" is a new word for me, so this is a great read as well. Hope you're well this week? Cheers, -Thalia
Thanks so much, Thalia! I love Frida and hope you have a chance to read parts 2 and 3 detailing her and Rivera's time in the US. It was a breakout time for young Frida and influenced her art. Re the word Mayaphile—I more or less made it up, probably why you never heard it ): It seemed to best describe my being so utterly enamored with their culture and civilization. Appreciate your support!!
Hi Jeanine - Good to reconnect. I'm sorry to disappear from contact with you and many other writers, but I withdrew from all external communications for two years while I was struggling to survive colorectal cancer. Now that doctors have declared me "cancer-free," I'm starting to follow a few favorite writers such as you. My fledgling Substack newsletter chronicles my experience. Thanks for subscribing! Best regards. Always.
Thanks for this. I have not explored the Mayan culture sufficiently although they and the Aztecs are fascinating for what they did and what they contributed and left behind.
I was singularly impressed with a visit to Frida's home (now museum) in Mexico City several years ago and whenever I see her image, her life rises up like the icon she is.
You’re CD very welcome! I love writing about the Maya. Plenty more to come. And truly, Frida was a creator and artistic genius. Hope you like Part 2 coming Friday, July 5. Thanks for your comment ms.
Well, My dear friend you are forcing me to Go to the library and look up more of her beautiful paintings. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and love of life and Mexico. Love you 💜
A gallant and soulful creator. At her house outside Mexico City, I saw the intricately carved bed that doubled as her studio during long periods of infirmity. That said it all.
I have been a lover of Frida Kahlo's work and life--her example of tenacity and strength. She never shied away from exposing her most vulnerable aspects I think so she could demonstrate the human spirit, and will to overcome. And she overcame not just physical hurdles but she overcame HIM. She suffered greatly at his hands but learned from him and it seems she prevailed because I think her work is more widely recognized than his. No dismissal of the importance and impact of Rivera's art but Frida's touches a place in the heart, especially the hearts of women. I think with sadness of Camille Claudel and how she suffered through her relationship with Rodin. There is a list of these women artists who out of love, need for a springboard into the closed world of men, any number of reasons have suffered much. Thanks, Jeanine for celebrating the great Frida Kahlo.
So so true— the ‘woman behind the man.’ I think Friday survived possibly first and foremost due to an unbreakable and loving bond with her parents. Part 2 goes into family things. Her relationship with Rivera was so many things but they both relied on the other for critique and guidance. She was probably an old soul in a young body. Clever, engaging, intelligent, striking, strong, beautiful, funny, flamboyant and always steps ahead of the rest of the world. And loyal. I would imagine young men of her age wouldn’t cut it. Imho they needed each other. And his position in the world, at that time more famous than Picasso (!) opened doors for her, along, of course, with her oversized talent. And his talents took them far and wide, offering up new vistas to a young and inquiring mind.
Part of what I think makes Frida special is that she pointed for herself. Now that I am in South America, I still see imagen of Frida everywhere. Yes, you see her imagen on everything - tote bags, t-shirts - probably more than any other artist. I think this is because her art is so accesible. It leads it's self to being reproduced like that. Ot is just so beautiful and exotic.
I know who Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are--I've seen his murals in Mexico and would recognize her art immediately because it is so distinctive. But I don't really know much about who they were as people. So I am looking forward to your next post!
Beautifully written. Seamless. She was so fiercely talented & unique. I wonder about her upbringing. I would imagine her manner of dressing was perceived as radical. She was in a world which frowns on originality. Personal.
Thanks for restack Dickerson Designs.
Jeanine- I love Frida's story. Thanks for sharing her backstory as well. "Mayaphile" is a new word for me, so this is a great read as well. Hope you're well this week? Cheers, -Thalia
Thanks so much, Thalia! I love Frida and hope you have a chance to read parts 2 and 3 detailing her and Rivera's time in the US. It was a breakout time for young Frida and influenced her art. Re the word Mayaphile—I more or less made it up, probably why you never heard it ): It seemed to best describe my being so utterly enamored with their culture and civilization. Appreciate your support!!
Frida was a survivor. I admire her and her art.
Yes she was. No fear.
Yes she was. No fear.
Hi Jeanine - Good to "see" you here. Best regards.
Hola Mikel !!!! Como estas? Great to see you too!
Hi Jeanine - Good to reconnect. I'm sorry to disappear from contact with you and many other writers, but I withdrew from all external communications for two years while I was struggling to survive colorectal cancer. Now that doctors have declared me "cancer-free," I'm starting to follow a few favorite writers such as you. My fledgling Substack newsletter chronicles my experience. Thanks for subscribing! Best regards. Always.
I’m so very glad about your recovery, Mikel. Heading over to your Stack now. Great to reconnect!!!!
I always wanted to know more about her, thank you for posting this!
Thank you Elizabeth. Part 2 posted today!!
about to read!
I'm so looking forward to Part 2. I admire Frida, for her art, for her courageous and fierce heart.
Thank you, Paulette, glad to hear it. Yes, Frida had in spades a fierce and courageous heart.❤️
She did.
I’m re-reading, Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and Freda was surely a wolf leader extraordinare.
That was a great book. Will have to check it out again.
I've discovered her art just recently. Not my cup of tea.
Thanks for this. I have not explored the Mayan culture sufficiently although they and the Aztecs are fascinating for what they did and what they contributed and left behind.
I was singularly impressed with a visit to Frida's home (now museum) in Mexico City several years ago and whenever I see her image, her life rises up like the icon she is.
You’re CD very welcome! I love writing about the Maya. Plenty more to come. And truly, Frida was a creator and artistic genius. Hope you like Part 2 coming Friday, July 5. Thanks for your comment ms.
Well, My dear friend you are forcing me to Go to the library and look up more of her beautiful paintings. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and love of life and Mexico. Love you 💜
Thank you! More coming Friday with Part2!
A gallant and soulful creator. At her house outside Mexico City, I saw the intricately carved bed that doubled as her studio during long periods of infirmity. That said it all.
So true. Gallant and soulful. Great description. And she simply pressed on.
I have been a lover of Frida Kahlo's work and life--her example of tenacity and strength. She never shied away from exposing her most vulnerable aspects I think so she could demonstrate the human spirit, and will to overcome. And she overcame not just physical hurdles but she overcame HIM. She suffered greatly at his hands but learned from him and it seems she prevailed because I think her work is more widely recognized than his. No dismissal of the importance and impact of Rivera's art but Frida's touches a place in the heart, especially the hearts of women. I think with sadness of Camille Claudel and how she suffered through her relationship with Rodin. There is a list of these women artists who out of love, need for a springboard into the closed world of men, any number of reasons have suffered much. Thanks, Jeanine for celebrating the great Frida Kahlo.
So so true— the ‘woman behind the man.’ I think Friday survived possibly first and foremost due to an unbreakable and loving bond with her parents. Part 2 goes into family things. Her relationship with Rivera was so many things but they both relied on the other for critique and guidance. She was probably an old soul in a young body. Clever, engaging, intelligent, striking, strong, beautiful, funny, flamboyant and always steps ahead of the rest of the world. And loyal. I would imagine young men of her age wouldn’t cut it. Imho they needed each other. And his position in the world, at that time more famous than Picasso (!) opened doors for her, along, of course, with her oversized talent. And his talents took them far and wide, offering up new vistas to a young and inquiring mind.
Part of what I think makes Frida special is that she pointed for herself. Now that I am in South America, I still see imagen of Frida everywhere. Yes, you see her imagen on everything - tote bags, t-shirts - probably more than any other artist. I think this is because her art is so accesible. It leads it's self to being reproduced like that. Ot is just so beautiful and exotic.
You’re right, she is very accessible and truly, beautiful and exotic! Stay tuned for Part 2 next Friday. And enjoy South America!
Thank you for introducing me to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, looking forward to reading more details about them.
You’re very welcome, Tinashe! She (and he) had very interesting and creative lives. Stay tuned for Part 2!
I know who Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are--I've seen his murals in Mexico and would recognize her art immediately because it is so distinctive. But I don't really know much about who they were as people. So I am looking forward to your next post!
So glad you are along for the ride! And their adventures. Thanks for reading, Clarice!
Thanks Diana, for the restack!