Saturday, February 9, 2013

FRIDA'S PAIN

FRIDA'S PAIN

Frida Kahlo

I’ve always been an admirer of Frida Kahlo and have created a few posts about her in the past. Click here to see. I wrote about the accident she had when she was young and how she had lived with her pain; her art being a constant source of diversion. When I wrote these things, I didn’t have a clue as to the effect pain can have on a person. I thought I could empathize with her because she was an artist like myself and I admired her for working in pain, but, I had never experienced very much pain in my life and really could not have known it’s effect over the long run. Until lately. It’s just my knee but keeps me from moving as quickly as I’m used to. The more chronic pain I experience, the more I admire Frida. A lot of her paintings show her in pain. She even had to attend a major art show held for her, by being carried in on a bed! Frida said “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.” She also said I paint myself because it I know myself better than anyone else.” She created 143 paintings and of those 55 are self portraits.

Close-up

I am lucky, as most artists are, because when I am in pain, I can look to my art to pull me through. Just thinking about a piece in my studio, whether it’s a painting or sculpture, gives me a goal and before long, I am focused on finishing that piece. I believe if you continue to search for answers for your pain, you will relieve it somehow and I also have come to the conclusion that “wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” Although I can’t take credit for coining that verse, ( I read it on Facebook, author unknown,) I certainly am going to adopt it as my own.

Close-up of Seven Antique Jewels

In honor of Frida, I have created this Renaissance oil and mixed media painting with gems and jewels of every type. I wanted to make her glitzy as she appears in a lot of her pictures. She liked to wear dangly jewelry and flowers in her hair. I have used some very old earrings and some even older pins. (some may be worth a lot more than the painting!) I guess you could always snip off the valuable jewel and add a costume piece in place of it. LOL. She is 8” w x 10” x h. and 1 ½ “ deep for easy hanging. I also created a crackled background. I have priced her at $145. You can check her out at Etsy since I just placed her in my shop or you can also contact me directly at my e-mail

Picture of 1 1/2 frame

Also, I placed a Frida necklace on Etsy for you to look at.

Thanks so much.

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6 comments:

  1. Stunning! I really love that amazing collection of jewelry. What a fascinating story - I didn't know much about her life, but will now go and research further.

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  2. OMG! She's georgous! I love, love , love her!

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  3. It makes me want to paint a protrait of Mom and add some of her favorite jewelery!

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  4. Soooo I hate to say welcome to my world, or you are in the club now, or some other stupid saying, however, creating while one is in pain develops a different sense, a different quality, a different imagination. It is also interesting, for me any way, that my art changes with the different pain and it's levels. Had it not been for beading and painting and leather work and well ART I think the last 20 years of pain would have been wasted.
    I am so sorry you are in pain. It just sucks!!!!LOL laughing is a great healer too. It is better than crying.
    As always your art touches the soul, brings life, and make people happy.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  5. You are really a naturally born artist Cheryl. When you said that you tried to divert your pain to painting Frida, I admired you more. If I were in your shoes, I would probably get pissed off and render my moody hormones haha

    Have a great day!

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  6. Beautiful colour and texture Cheryl, and thank you for the info I honestly didn't know much about Frida.

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