Viva Frida

My Trip to Mexico City was a life-changer. Being that close to my hero, Frida Kahlo, was a dream come true.
But She was just part of the fun. 

Even flying in to Mexico City, I could see the extra colour.

My trip organiser was Kathie Vezzani. We have known each other online for quite some time, from my very first online classes, so it was like meeting a trusted friend right from the get-go. Here we are eating Churro’s – they are like cripsy donuts, so obviously very healthy ( I wish!) .Oh how I would like one right now!!!

The central focus of the trip was always Frida Kahlo. The first day of the retreat was hers.

On display in the Museo Frida Kahlo, or the Blue House’ as it is also called, are many of the paintings Frida and Diego kept for themselves. Personal pieces.  Seeing these small artworks  drew me closer.The first thing that struck me was just how small much of Frida’s work was.

And of all the artwork, this unfinished painting resonated with me most. She has drawn herself in bed, but looking relaxed and at ease.

Another favourite was the watermelon painting. The juicy colours, the text in the slice. The loose, expressive brush work. Plus I love watermelon. Amongst the displays was correspondence and fragments of a life passionately lived.   Frida loved sending and receiving Happy Mail!

The highlight was seeing where my Frida created much of her artwork. Her pigments and brushes. Her palette and Tabaret.

And lining the walls were her treasures.Gifts and collected object D’art and books….     The room next to her studio contained  a sunroom with butterflies above her bed. A gift from a lover so she could feel free when incapacitated.

And then her small bedroom .

And the great woman herself. In that strange urn.I wonder if she sat on these stairs with her menagerie of deer, dogs and monkeys?

In a  separate part of the museum was a display of Frida’s personal effects. here is one of her decorated plaster corsets.And her prosthletic limb. What kind of miracle was she? So much style and panache even in the face of personal tragedy.
On one boot she has bells tied to the laces. On the other a blue velvet ribbon. I have no doubt that each was important to her, that each had meaning and purpose as to being placed there.  Everything about her says “Here I am”.  
Look!

Regard.

Notice me.

Seeing Frida’s life so closely, so personally, swept me away on an inner journey that I have been feeling ever since. I dress each day with purpose. I look at my clothing, my accessories, my lipstick as a creative expression. I came home and cleared my wardrobe of the black smocks I have spent most of the last decade in. All to make way for the beautiful, fanciful, adorned clothing I found on the rest of my trip to Mexico City and the USA.

I joined the ‘Wear Your Joy Project’ and am reveling in mindfully selecting my clothing each morning. What happiness it is bringing me! You can join me on my Instagram account to see my shenanigans!

I’ll be back with more images and fun from Mexico City this week!

xoxox

Jane/ Danger