Frida Kahlo is cool

Frida Kahlo is such an interesting artist. What I'm most fascinated about is her use of costume to create identity. I love how these paintings use a traditional Tehuana dress to convey her ideas about femininity, tradition, indigenousness, etc. Researching her relationship to clothes, the way she dressed herself, as well as the way she paints costume into her paintings is such an interesting topic!

Frieda and Diego Rivera, 1931

Memory, 1937

My Dress Hangs There, 1933

What the Water Gave Me, 1938

In the last painting, isn't it eerie how Frida's naked body floats in the water and her empty dress floats beside it?

Thinking about Ireland

Two years ago I spent 12 months living in Ireland, working as an au pair in Dun Laoghaire (just outside Dublin), and became part of an incredible family. It's been hard to adjust to the fact that I won't see those 3 little boys grow up, and if I do return to visit, be prepared to have them not remember me. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what I miss about my year abroad: is it the freedom of being out of school and living anonymously? is it the exciting Irish culture I got to experience? is it the fun I had playing with the kids and their dog and integrating myself into a nice home? I suppose it's a combination of all of those things. But most of all, I miss being the au pair the kids would tell they loved, or would not stop trying to cuddle with as I tucked them into bed. I'm sure I'll have an opportunity like that when I have my own children (hopefully not for a while!) but it's interesting how maternal instincts can be stimulated when caring for children. Looking at these pics make me feel sick with longing!