After the accident, Kahlo turned her attention away from the study of medicine to begin a full-time painting career. The accident left her in a great deal of pain while she recovered in a full body cast; she painted to occupy her time during her temporary state of immobilization. Her self-portraits became a dominant part of her life when she was immobile for three months after her accident. Kahlo once said, "I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best." Her mother had a special easel made for her so she could paint in bed, and her father lent her his box of oil paints and some brushes.Drawing on personal experiences, including her marriage, her miscarriages, and her numerous operations, Kahlo's works often are characterized by their stark portrayals of pain. Of her 143 paintings, 55 are self-portraits which often incorporate symbolic portrayals of physical and psychological wounds. She insisted, "I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality."
Kahlo was influenced by indigenous Mexican culture, which is apparent in her use of bright colors and dramatic symbolism. She frequently included the symbolic monkey. In Mexican mythology, monkeys are symbols of lust, but Kahlo portrayed them as tender and protective symbols. Christian and Jewish themes are often depicted in her work.
Some Frida Kahlo ArtWork :
The Two Fridas
The Two Fridas, 1939, Oil on canvas, 67" x 67", Collection of the Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City
Self-portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States
Self-portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States, 1932, Oil on metal, 12 1/2" x 13 3/4", Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Reyero
Self-Portrait with Monkey
Self-Portrait with Monkey, 1938, Oil on masonite, 16" x 12", Collection of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, New York
Diego and Frida
Diego and Frida , 1949, Oil on masonite,
11 5/8" x 8 13/16", Collection of Mary-Anne Martin/Fine Arts, New York.
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frida_Kahlo
