knock knock...

So...I am actually well into the series...but spoiler alert, its all inspired by Friday Kahlo!  I wanted to just take a minute and post a few words on where I got the idea to spend the month of August creating works inspired by Frida, I know I'm late in doing this but...ummm...sorry.

Here is the breakdown in photos;

Frida Kahlo has always been an artist that inspired me, but I never took the time to really read about her and to learn more about her work.  So I am doing it. This month I am spending my time with Frida.  I have additional connections to Frida and her work, which I will get into later...but for now...just know that fabulous, fierce Frida Kahlo is my inspiration for this month.

To kick kick off the month/series John helped me with a little photo shoot where I did my very best to 'become Frida'.  I will post more photos from the shoot as the month progresses...but here is one of the pics alongside the photo that inspired it; 

We were traveling when I started the first piece in the series, I started it from my makeshift studio I set up in NYC ...which was the corner of ShayShay's couch.  But it really wasn't until we arrived in NJ for the second part of our trip visiting with Ed and Sarah at casa Ianuzzi.  I had some time in the morning when everyone was still sleeping to sit and finish up my first three pieces, which are drawings of Frida in black Prismacolor pencil.

But on Monday the series really started to take shape...the fourth Frida...

For Frida number four I started to read more about Frida's life and pick out quotes that had meaning to me.  One quote in particular was this one, 

Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?

So I started to thing about wings.
And transformation.

Butterfly wings.

And how to me Frida Kahlo's self portrait always show a strength in the eyes.

And I started to think about that strength being almost like a peacock, a beautiful distraction.

So then I made this piece, the fourth Frida. (right)

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...since that piece I have been reading more about Frida. I found a few timelines that I am referencing as well as the work created during that time period.  I have been putting Frida, or a woman that resembles her, in pieces that reference her own work.  I am including symbols that relate to things going on in her life during the time/piece referenced. It's taking me a little longer.  Some pieces will include quotes, some will not, just depends on the day.

Here I am, only a day and a half left of my summer vacation and I am coming home with stacks of materials to read and watch (thanks to my new library card, yay!). Total art nerd, love it.

I am going to try to put them down and enjoy these last bits of summer break....but I am so inspired by this series...and so excited about my NEW JOB (more on that later!)

August, you're lookin' good to me.

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