Fridamania

What is it about Frida Kahlo that resonates so? 

She was passionate, determined, and vulnerable! She managed to live a brief but amazingly bittersweet beautiful imperfect life while often in intense physical pain. A grand romance, a driving cause, a tragic turn.

I love seeing all the interpretations she has inspired. Could she be the most painted woman of this century, particularly by women artists? I would not be surprised. She holds some sort of fascination within our imaginations. 

Frida Art on Pinterest

She represents overcoming as well as succumbing. In her, we see many of our own fears and longings. It is no wonder that different diverse groups find an affinity to her art. Sure we have mythologized Frida's admittedly flawed life but because she shared her inner life so honestly, we feel that in some way we are intimate with her. That we know her. 

Frida Art on Pinterest

This represents just a few wonderful portraits from amazing artists I've found primarily through Pinterest. I've not yet painted my own portrait of Frida but I just know that I will. The pull is just too strong.

Frida Self Portrait

Reflections

Bliss at the pool... so peaceful, the rhythmic sounds of the waterfall, the light breeze, the off & on drone of the airplanes scooting overhead (yeah, I actually like it), the play of palm shadows slinking across the deck, the soothing bounce of light frolicking atop the water's surface -then when I'm actually in the water, the colors dance behind my eyelids and the deep resonance of my breath as I inhale and exhale, both calms and mesmerizes me. 




1950s Weekiwachee Mermaid

I gently go to new worlds as I bob buoyantly in the glossy turquoise waters.  

Ideas drift in and out.  I'd like to paint a hundred hearts, create a gratitude mural, a porch swing from old boards.  I should light candles more often, wear beautiful caftans in the evening, and send letters to those I love.  

Thank you God for this marvelous place -for my amazing life!  Help me to live it fully, passionately, joyfully!!!




Cover of my latest "store bought" journal
(Anais Nin Quote)

My Neighborhood Pool
(& Frequent Inspiration)

Music for Today: Soundtrack from "Under the Tuscan Sun"
&
"Fairy Nightsongs" by Gary Stadler & Stephannie on the "Fairy Heartmagic" Album

Inspiration behind Pop's Quilter Fish

A Bit About the Inspiration Behind my Quilter Fish Collage:
My Dad loved to fish when I was growing up and often we would walk across the street to our neighbor's pond and spend time together fishing. Even though I would typically end up letting mine go (I couldn't bring myself to kill them) these family times hold very dear memories.
Then as an adult, I learned to scuba dive and wow -the underwater world is amazing. Floating among the colorful surreal surroundings is at once deeply peaceful and yet completely exhilarating. I am so at home under the sea. I am blessed to live near Mobile Bay and only 30 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico so I can indulge my need for the salt water life fairly often.
Well, this collage is an homage to those two things - My Dad and Scuba Diving with a folksy craftsy little twist. I tried to stylize it in a way reminiscent of a quilt (another thing I just adore) 
You see, one day, I am going to create art quilts. Yet another item I have in the ever-growing when I retire list. (ha-ha) I have  books on them, scraps of fabric waiting, and even bought an amazing art quilt from an art center exhibit by Suzanne Wray called "Aren't the Weeds Beautiful" which now proudly hangs in the passage to my bedroom. I think that's part of why I enjoy collage so much. It is a little like quilting without the sewing know how needed. Of course with great quilting there is also that wonderful dual story of color then the layer of stitching. Kind of picks up the whole mixed media thing. I knew there had to be a connection  -everything inter-woven eventually.