You are still, as always ‘da BOMB!!!!

I just thought you’d like to know that when I read Darrell’s blog about playing for Russ at the funeral, I got to say, “yeah, me and Russ…like this (imagine the index and middle finger stuck together).” Darrell is actually my boss. I’m a full time worship pastor here at Fellowship Bible Church and we have a BLAST. Hope you are all doing well. I as so happy to see your sweet face. Been WAY to long. You look just like you. I look just like…well…OLD!!!!!

Tim Holder

Hope Madi’s enjoying the time with her Dad on the road. It will give her precious memories for years to come, I’m sure.

‘A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.'(The Wizard)

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/ftptoc/kahlo_ext.html

Her art is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. And there is definitely a whole ‘cult of Frida-worshippers’ out there that have identified so intensely with her work that it’s kind of creepy! I guess anything that visceral is going to provoke strong reactions, both good and bad. Again, I don’t want to model my life after her or anything, I just think her story is so intriguing and her paintings are remarkable. She was a product of her times, yet she bucked the status quo on many levels. She was a political activist who wanted all people to be free, yet she willingly emotionally enslaved herself with a lifelong obsession with a man who loved and admired her in his way, but was also capable of having destructive numerous affairs including one with Frida’s own younger sister. But like I said, it is her refusal to let her hardships destroy her that I admire. And she took her pain and turned it into art.

A really good documentary is one that PBS did a number of years ago called “The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo”.

Lots of self portraits, since that was one of her main subjects, but her still lifes and other portaits were well represented too; there was a good sampling from all periods of her painting. There are a lot of paintings that pertain to her accident and to her miscarriage/medical abortions as the result of it. And yes, they are the most graphic and disturbing ones, but very poignant and emotional as well. I like art that makes me ‘feel’!

No flash photography allowed, so it wasn’t really worth trying, and I already have a big coffee table book with most of the paintings in it.

I became interested in her art about 15 years ago– I saw the double self-portrait of her holding her own hand, and it was just so striking and sad that I wanted to find out more about the artist. There is an incredible documentary that was out years before the movie version, and it intrigued me even more. When you can actually see her work close up, the detail and artistry is truly astounding– her subjects may be crude but her skills are not. I guess what speaks to me is that every woman I have ever met has some broken places inside of her, and Frida expressed that universal experience better than anyone I have ever seen. Her work is very, very woman-centric– a man could never paint that particular kind of pain. Her incredible strength in the face of so many devastating blows inspires and speaks to me. I would never see her as a role model, she made some very self-destructive choices especially with her heart, but she had a strong, triumphant spirit and I respond to that every time. I do love survivors.

Gee, I should be a reporter, shouldn’t I? Or, a nosey neighbor?

Loved the S.F. pictures!!! Cool!

(Madi—-can you stretch those socks and separate Frida’s eyebrows? I hope those socks are shark resistant!)

Any more pictures? Glad you had a great time, you deserved it!

So, I googled what’s her name, and have only one comment.

“Hmmmmm”

Loved your pictures of SF, and so glad you had a wonderful time. I guess you didn’t find any good Salvation Army Thrift Stores? roflol.