Somerset Studio Frida with Poppies!

St. Frida the Divine with Poppies

Good news in the post! Look what arrived, my Frida Kahlo inspired mixed media piece will be featured in the Jan/Feb issue of Somerset Studio Magazine. I couldn't be happier really, Frida's story and art is such a powerful inspiration I both longed and resisted the urge to paint her. Finally the poppy's song rang true as one of both loss and hope and I was able to paint this tribute to her.

This year I read a story about Frida to my students and some of them painted large canvases as another student posed in costume as Frida .. they turned out so glorious that we did a "Frida Exhibit" in the library!   I can't wait to surprise my students with the Somerset magazine when we get back from break!

St. Frida the Divine

"St. Frida the Divine with Poppies"

Frida is such a powerful figure to me on so many levels, I've longed to paint her but hesitated. I've decided there is no doing her justice I'll just try to pay tribute. 

The original is mixed media, the poppies I made by hand and collaged on. I was inspired by the Veteran's Day blooms that my Grandmother wore when I was a little girl. Forevermore poppies represented loss and strength of a feminine nature to me.

I'll be back to teaching next week so I'm very happy to have this piece I've been working on ready to share with you.  Sometimes I feel like I'm swallowed up at the beginning of the school year!  This year I have a new art room which is large and shiny but I'm still in a state of overwhelm of arranging and organizing it. 

All in all though the fall is my favorite part of the school year. The anticipation and eager faces of all those young people starting that adventure of Junior High, nothing like it really! 

 If you have young people in your life (or adore picture books like I do!) please take a look at this book I just got for my classroom,  It is poignant, dreamy and powerful. A beautiful introduction to Frida for even the youngest child. 

"Frida" by Jonah Winter illustrated by Ana Juan