‘Fabulous Frida’ Original Acrylic on Paper © 2017 Tanya Cole

‘Weaving Our Divine Creations’ Original Mixed Media on Canvas ~ 24″ x 30″ © 2017 Tanya Cole The Artist Archetype
This is why I paint Frida. As I paint her, I honour her and all that she upheld…as the woman, as the lover, as the daughter, as the sister, as the friend, as the helper, as the artist. But mostly I paint her to reach and connect with the deepest part of me…the universal. Then I release what I feel and ‘see’, back out into the world for all to enjoy, including me. Art, inspiration, the gift of love and hope is circular and it keeps giving and giving to those who will share it with others.
This was my first Frida painting as I transitioned from whimsical proportioned faces to more realistic proportion faces ~
Here is the piece I am currently working on ~
(Sold) ‘Frida’s Courage’ Original Acrylic on Canvas 18″ x 36″ © 2017 Tanya Cole
postscript: Frida’s monobrow. I did not mention it in the body of my writing. For it’s importance is not in the value of a woman, but for what it now stands for. It is a symbol with a poignant message much like the flag of a country. Whilst Frida’s facial hair is notable and up for discussion much; it has been made iconic as a symbol for embracing all of ourselves as women in all our natural wonder. It is sad that in Western culture and society women have been made to feel shame for having hair that sprouts from places that men determined, makes them more masculine. Are we all not a beautiful blend of both the feminine and masculine but forced to deny those aspects in ourselves? Painting and celebrating Frida’s monobrow represents a liberation, a reclamation…a ‘fuck you’! to a history of patriarchy-led oppression of women. So the monobrow becomes an important symbol. Which I honour.
Frida is almost (well, is) a mentor, icon and muse for female artists. I have always admired her, and I feel such a connection with others who do also! We have the benefit of seeing her life as a whole, looking back on it, and it’s such a privilege, as well as an insight. She provides hope that there is substance and meaning beyond pain and loss and, after her death, has brought many into a solidarity that can only be discovered through dark journeys. I love your Frida portraits, they shine.
Oh, she so is, Alyssa! Yes, me too. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on Frida with me and thank you for your kind words…my Frida’s (and our Frida) are my studio companions that journey with me. I feel very blessed and grateful.