Thinking about Life

This painting came about in a dream.  I dreamt that I created a series of 3 new Frida inspired paintings.  I was able to see rather clearly each one, individually and fly around in them, seeing the colors and themes for each one.  I knew this  was a gift.  Part of me knew I was dreaming, so I tried as long as I could, to gather all the information necessary to create these pieces.  I also saw in the dream that two out of three pieces,   would be hung in San Francisco.  I woke up and immediately grabbed my sketchbook and wrote down as many details as possible to later create them.  ‘Thinking about Life’ is the first painting of this 2015 series of Frida inspired pieces.  Before I began painting, all I knew was that it would be Frida in the sky with some red and blue accents.  I didn’t have a clear vision but in faith, began painting anyway.  The entire painting just flowed out of me effortlessly.  When I painted her skull in the clouds, a circulation of clouds seemed to encompass her, looking to me like one of her famous head dresses, that she painted herself in several paintings.   I felt so much Life in this painting and Light!  It surrounded her and also emanated from her, coming from her forehead, above the brow and also shined upon her from above.  As I progressed, I felt something very significant below her missing...I initially thought bright and vividly colored flowers would be at the bottom, but it needed something more.  On a whim I added a child; a baby which could be a doll.  It was a symbol for new life and for innocence.  The titled came to me just as easy as the painting; While thumbing through one of my Frida books, I found a painting, which I had not really taken notice.  It was another self portrait, where she has a skull on her forehead above  the brow.  It's titled, ‘Thinking about Death’.  A voice came to me in that moment, ‘Your painting must be titled, ‘Thinking about Life’, and it was decided.  What do I think this painting represents?  For me it means, Rebirth, New Beginnings; the eternal.  Ultimately it’s for others to decide what it may mean for them.  I see my art as being a gift for others, left for Their interpretation.  This painting will be featured in Fiestas Fridas San Francisco, a two month long celebration of the life of Frida Kahlo, from July through August, 2015.