Frida Kahlo with a pet deer
Frida had many pets. Her letters to her family from her travels abroad are full of enquiries about their welfare. This picture is not a run of the mill dog or cat though, but an obviously quite shy young deer, who is definitely staying at arms length. such an unusual picture, lets see what I can do with it
This will not be easy, the old photograph is very contrasty and the shadows on Frida’s face very harsh.
A pretty awful first sketch in Burnt Sienna, her head is too big and neck too short, the deer is too close. I thought the composition of the Photo a little awkward with the arm out almost horizontal, but in fact it is right – the deer is shy of coming closer perhaps. So a lot to do if the pastel portrait is going to be any good.
The finished picture is not one of the world’s great works of art, but I have enjoyed doing it and keeping the colours bright and simple, which is very un-me. (and yes, she did live in a blue house!) I have ruined the skirt by putting on too much dark pastel, and notbeing able to add the flowers. disappointing.
Frida’s reputation as an artist has been overshadowed by the real life story. The tragic injuries and the very public marriage to Diego Rivera.
While reading about her I have been reminded of Sylvia Plath, also married to a successful talented and unfaithful man. As Frida poured her feelings into her pictures, Sylvia did the same with her poems.
Was the difference between these two women entirely of temperament or character? Frida fighting to overcome everything life threw at her, and Sylvia sliding down into the increasing depression that lead her to take her own life. Or is it perhaps also a testament to the redemptive power of art, opposed to the introspective drama of poetry?