“Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?” – Frida Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo Paintings
Frida Kahlo is truly one of my favorite painters. Born of Mexican decent in Coyoacán Mexico, (July 6, 1907), I find that her paintings are beautiful. Her style was well known as a surrealist whose paintings reflected the pain and the struggles of her life. As a strong woman, Frida was known to freely express herself both in her art and in her sexuality. As her health deteriorated, you can see her demons of low self-esteem start to colorfully be displayed in every brush stroke that made up her self-portraits.
While Frida Kahlo’s surrealist style was not quite as imaginative as Salvador Dali and her technique not as sharp Pablo Picasso her dedication, and love of painting are second to none. Pain and passion can be seen as a common theme in most of Frida Kahlo’s paintings. From contracting a debilitating disease at the early age of 6 (polio) to her more known and tragic injury of being struck by a vehicle while on a bus, along with troubled relationships to finally being bed ridden and depressed, Frida bared her soul on the canvas. Drawing inspiration from Renesanse art and Mexican folklore, she expressed her views on romantic nationalism as most artists were at the time of the revolution. She held fast to her ideals and culture in a time when elitist felt that European culture was an example of civilization and sought to be emulated.
I believe in tapping into the hardships and pains of our life and use them as fuel to help us accomplish our goals. Whatever struggles you are going through are nothing compared to Frida’s and as I said above you can see that she channeled this pain through her art like many artists do. So on those days you are feeling shitty and need some inspiration, think of Frida Kahlo better than that, think of all the Frida Kahlo paintings out there and then think of your favorite Frida Kahlo painting and the consider about how difficult it was for her to create them especially during the time she was bed ridden. After this exercise, I think you will realize you probably have it a lot easier and then my friend the only thing left for you to do is get your design on.
“I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.” – Frida Kahlo.
Why do you like Frida Kahlo? Let me know if the comments below. If you see a painting you like to search for the print or poster here and buy it.
Frida Kahlo the Painter-
“I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best.” – Frida Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo Paintings
1. Self-Portrait – 1922
2. Self-Protrait -1926
3. The Accident, 17 September – 1926
4. Portrait of Christina, My Sister – 1928
5. The bus – 1929
6. Portrait of Virginia Nina – 1929
7. Self Portrait – 1929
8. Two Women – 1929
9. Self Portrait – 1930
10. Portrait of Lupe Marin c.1930
11. Portrait of Eva Frederick – 1931
12. Luther Burbank – 1931
13. Frida and Diego Rivera – 1931
14. Henry Ford Hospital – 1932
15. Self Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States – 1932
16. My Birth – 1932
17. Self Portrait – 1933
18. My Dress Hangs There-1933
19. Self Portrait with Curly Hair – 1934
20. A Few Small Nips 1935
21. Family Tree – My Grandparent and I 1936
22. Fuland Chang and I 1937
23. Me and My Doll 1937
24. My Wet Nurse and I 1937
25. Memory – 1937
26. Portrait of Diego Rivera 1937
27. The-Deceased Dimas 1937
28. The Frame – 1937
29. Self Portrait (Dedicated to Leon Trotsky) Between the Curtains – 1937
30. Pitahayas – 1938
31. Four Inhabitants of Mexico – 1938
32. Girl with Death Mask – 1938
33. Fruits of the Earth – 1938
34. Itzcuintli Dog with Me – 1938
35. Tunas Still Life with Prickly Pear Fruit -1938
36. Self Portrait with Monkey -1938
37. What the Water Gave Me – 1938
38. The Suicide of Dorothy Hale – 1939
39. The Two Fridas – 1939
40. Two Nudes in the Forest – 1939
41. Self Portrait (I) – 1940
42. Self Portrait (II) – 1940
43. Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace – 1940
44. Self Portrait with Cropped Hair – 1940
45. The Dream-1940
46. Self Portrait with Royal Gold Vest -1941
47. Me and My Parrots – 1941
48. Self Portrait with Braid – 1941
49. Self Portrait with Bonito – 1941
50. Self Portrait with Monkey and Parrot-1942
