The Artist Who Painted Herself FRIDA KAHLO The Artist Who Painted Herself

Early Life Frida was born in Mexico on July 6, 1907. Her mother was from Mexico. Her father was an amateur artist and photographer from Germany. Frida had 3 sisters, but she was her father’s favorite. The Kahlos lived in a house outside Mexico City that her family called the “Casa Azul”. (it is now a musuem)

Childhood Frida contracted polio as a young child and was confined to bed for 9 months. The disease caused her right leg to be much weaker and thinner than the left. Kids made fun of her and called her “peg leg”. As an adult, she was very self conscious of it and always wore pants and skirts to cover it up. She was very lonely as a child, which caused her to develop a very vivid imagination

Teenage Years Frida went to a prestigious high school where she finally made friends. She was very smart, but liked to cause trouble While there, the artist Diego Rivera was commissioned to paint a mural in the building. Frida liked to play tricks on him and call him names while he was painting. In school, she began to learn about the Mexican Revolution, and Mexican art and architecture. These things played a big part in her art later on.

The Accident When Frida was 18, she was involved in a horrible accident. The bus she was riding home from school in was hit by a trolley. Frida almost died. Her injuries were so great that she spent most of the next two years in bed, barely able to move. In an effort to give her something to do, her parents bought her paints and brushes. They made a special easel, and installed a mirror on the top of her canopy bed so she could see herself. Frida said that she began painting self portraits because it was the subject she knew the best.

As a result of the accident, Frida was in constant, terrible, pain for the rest of her life. Her bones did not heal properly, and she underwent countless operations during her lifetime. Frida was also never able to have children because of the injuries she sustained. This made her sad, and became a theme in many of her paintings. However, Frida was determined that she would never let her pain and injuries prevent her from having fun and enjoying life.

By the time Frida was well enough to leave the house, she had painted over 24 portraits. She took four of them to show to Diego Rivera, the famous Mexican painter she had made fun of as a girl. Even though she teased him, she respected his talent and wanted him to critique her work. He told her that her work was very original. Frida’s style was based on Mexican folk art instead of European artists.

Even though Diego was more than 20 years older than Frida, they started dating, Two years later, they got married. Frida’s father called them “the Elephant and the Dove”. Can you guess why?

Diego was commissioned to paint several murals in the United States Diego was commissioned to paint several murals in the United States. Frida went with him, and spent the next 3 years traveling around the U.S. Diego loved the big cities in America, but Frida did not. She was homesick for Mexico, and wanted to go home. She and Diego fought alot, and even spent time living apart from one another. They even got divorced and remarried! During these times Frida did some of her best and most creative work. Frida and Diego always eventually made up after their fights, and they never stopped loving each other.

Frida almost always dressed in traditional Mexican outfits, wore lots of jewelry, and braided her hair into fancy styles with flowers and ribbons. Frida and Diego moved into the Casa Azul after her parents died. She loved having guests at her home, and enjoyed celebrating holidays. Her favorite holiday was Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. This is a Mexican holiday, held on November 1st, where people remember friends and loved ones who have died. Many of Frida’s paintings include skeletons and other symbols of Day of the Dead.

By 1953 Frida had become almost as famous an artist as Diego By 1953 Frida had become almost as famous an artist as Diego. For the first time ever, a female, Mexican, artist was going to have a solo showing of her work. On the day of the show’s opening, Frida was very sick. She could not walk or use her wheelchair. The doctor told her not to leave her bed, so Frida had her four-poster bed carried to the art gallery, with herself still in it, so she could attend her show!

Frida Kahlo died in 1954, at the age of 47. Prior to her death, she was quoted as saying, “I hope the exit is joyful, and I hope never to return.”

Frida Kahlo painted her real feelings in a way that had never been seen before. Her paintings show her happiness, disappointment and pain. Frida’s work is filled with Mexican colors and images that came from her love of country. Her strength, courage and love of life have made her a role model to many artists, especially women. Viva la vida!

Learning Objectives - Frida Kahlo Where was Frida Kahlo born? What was the inspiration for her art work? Who was Frida Kahlo’s husband? Why did she paint so many self-portraits?

Project - Frida Kahlo Dia De Los Muertos Mask Color and decorate your skeleton mask in bold and vibrant colors like Frida would have used! Glue mask template to black background and cut out. Decorate mask with as much color and imagination as possible. Glue a craft stick to the back after decorating. (template found at pearmama.com)