This post is quite obviously inspired by the lovely Frida Kahlo and the beautiful colors of Mexico. I have had the idea for this post dancing around in my head for quite some time now, but it has just come together to where I can translate my thoughts. Frida Kahlo is one of my favorite artists and women in history and I am in constant inspiration by her style & if you have not seen the movie, then shame on you! No I'm kidding, well, kind of, the movie is fantastic and FILLED with color, textile, and pattern inspiration, in fact I think I will buy it after I finish posting this. I think it is a must have for any artist library & the soundtrack is fantastic and features one of my favorite singers Lila Downs(also seen singing in the movie). also, for those in the San Francisco area or for those planning on visiting, be sure to stop by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for the Frida Kahlo Exhibit that will be up until September 28, 2008.
Her photos alone are just filled with decorative inspiration. From the flowers in her hair, to the patterns of her skirts, dresses, and blouses, to the richness of your home seen below (which is also affectionately known as “La Casa Azul” in many areas), her entire artistic essence speaks of design inspiration to me.
Her home which is now a museum is filled with lots of authentic design inspiration. My favorite is her studio and the kitchen. The painted yellow dining set above is fantastic and the avocado walls in her studio below is divine! Wouldn't you love to be able to create in such an open space!
The colors of Mexico in general are intriguing, expressive, and rich, and I love it all. Cobalt, indigo, yellow, turquoise, red, fuschia, mustards, avocado, terracotta, all of these colors can be fused together to bring a beautiful Spanish flavor to your home. What I find interesting are the color palettes in which you can use to achieve the feel of Mexico.
Color & Earth: You can find many homes in Mexico that are illuminating with color from the inside out. From hot pink exteriors, purple painted bricks, or the cobalt blue ocean, and the cool greys & whites. You can never go wrong with shots of color when it comes to the colors of Mexico. One thing that I like to do is observe the food that is often prepared in a country and then translate those colors to my design ideas. In this case you can have very bright colors of fresh red & green chiles, green cilantro, bright lemons, limes, and oranges.
Just as well, you can find inspiration in the earthy tones of a maroon dried chile, avocado greens, terracotta pots, a freshly baked tortilla with spots of browns and blacks, and the mildness of the inside of a diced tomato. You will be surprised at how much color inspiration you can get from foods and spices alone!
Speaking of food, here is a GREAT cookbook that is inspired by the taste of Frida!
Frida
Hummingbird
I love your post! I have loved Frida for years. I have all of the books, both movies, and about 3 documentaries in spanish and 1 in english. I love Lila Downs. I went to her exhibit in San Francisco in the 80's, not many people came but how things change, in 2008, the crowds at SFMOMA was off the hook. Now Frida has become an Icon. I have not been to the Blue House, have you? I have a lot of pictures of Frida on my facebook page.
This was EXACTLY what I needed to see...
I've been loving Frida Kahlo since I stumbled across a painting of hers at the Salvadore Dali Museum in Florida when I was a little bitty. Thank you for this lush deliciousness!!!
Bright Blessings,
)O( The Brooklyn Geechee )O(
my hero
i named my daughter after her- kahlo
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
This woman's art has...
...always been an inspiration to me. Thanks for presenting her here (and for all that you do), as I am now inspired to rediscover her life/art. This time around, focusing more on how she made life beautiful. Bless you.
I had to see the movie!
Not to long after this Frida article was posted, I immediately sought out the movie at my public library. My knowledge on Frida was quite limited, but the movie opened my eyes to the eventful life this woman led...a life that was was filled with pain that inspired the majority of her artwork. I was amazed at how she kept her spirits up, and how she utilized her sorrow as a catalyst for her creativity.
"I am a divine original, fashioned by Yah to be radiantly beautiful."
WOW!
Unfortunately, I have not seen the movie, :( *lol*. The colors are so beautiful, very lively too. I would love to use colors like that in one of my sketches!
Frida was also very beautiful, herself, I always heard talk of her being an "eyesore" but I dont think so. And she has a cookbook????! :O
I've Been Sleepin on the Cookbook...
What?! I did not know that there was a cookbook! I love the movie, that moved me to get the soundtrack, which inspired me to try the colors. And you mean to tell me I could also add a bit of Frida to my cookbook collection too?! How cool...
Hooray for color!
Frida has served as a glorious inspiration in my life for quite some time, but I never considered incorporating aspects of her colorful style into my home decor. This has given me new inspiration!
I also adore the movie and the soundtrack, and the MoMa exhibition here in SF is amazing, worth the trip. My favorite piece of Kahlo's is 'The Two Fridas'. Now I may have to add her home as one of my favorite pieces as well :)
Also Inspired!!!
I have the movie and it is one of my favorites. I watch it when I want to be inspired by another woman's creativity and love for her family, her man and her cause. Frida was a feminist before there was a word for it. I also love the way she continued creating for herself despite everything that was going on around her. She was truly was the consummate artist.
If they have lied about me, they have lied about everything- Miss Lissie
inspired!
wow, she was beautiful..or was that the actress?! (a lil confused)
i've always loved the mexican colors. living in a city with many mexicans and the restuarants and businesses, i enjoy looking at the authentic art as well. and her home IS beautiful! i wish i could take a trip to something like that!!
i'm more intrigued about her alternative lifestyle than her art really. learning that many artists of her time or generations before mine were bisexual is madd interesting to me..