WWFD? What Would Frida Do?

Today, I traveled to the North Carolina Museum of Art to see an exhibit of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Frida has been a hero to me since way back in my art school days. She was fierce, unapologetic in her authenticity, and spoke her truth regardless of the consequences. As a young woman searching to find her voice, I was drawn to her like a magnet. There is also the feminist aspect of much of her work and being a feminist since the womb, this was an obvious connection. But there has always been a depth to my respect for her, that I would not understand fully until now.

As a young woman, Frida experienced a horrible accident that would filter into every part of her life. From surgeries, to miscarriages, corsets and casts there was nothing left untouched. She showed the world her pain and she owned it like a prize not a curse. The accident would bring many hardships to her life, but it also strengthened her voice as an artist.

This is not all to say that to be a true artist, you must suffer hardships. I am explaining how I connected with Frida. At the time, I was unaware of many of my own difficulties, having blocked a good chunk of my childhood memories. Once those memories began to resurface, I found the pain too heavy to talk about, so I grabbed up my sketch books (I have many going at any given time) and let my art be my guide.

And again with my diagnosis of ME/CFS, my art never leaves me. It is and will always be my best friend. When walking down the stairs to my studio became too much, when sitting up to sharpen my color pencils became too complicated, art let me know that we are in this life together. I started digital painting. IF FRIDA COULD MAKE ART FROM BED, SO CAN I! And I have. And I will continue to do so because I refuse to let this dis-ease take away my voice.

With love,

Helen