Most of you know that our dear friend Marianne came to visit me all the way from the Netherlands. I still can't believe she was here in my home, my studio!
And most of you know that I have been working on a painting for her for over a year now in exchange for the exquisite birth mandala she painted for me.
I have had such angst over what to paint! And I have had a few starts and failures.
I knew I wanted to do a portrait of Frida Kahlo for her but I kept trying to make it look like the ones we've already seen painted by herself and other artists.
It never felt "right" to me. And then I knew why.
I was tired of seeing her torment and sadness.
I wanted to paint her in a soft way in my own style.
No thorns holding the signature sparrow around her neck. No scars or blood from the fateful accident that haunted her life and her paintings.
So here I present to Marianne and you, "Young Frida."
Calm, sure, beautiful, feminine and happy at La Casa Azul.
Thank you Marianne, kindrid spirit and sister across the miles.
I will never forget this visit.
♥
The last photo was taken by my other new and dear friend, Felix, Marianne's son. He is as magical as she is!
