I put Frida in her beloved Mexico and put her dress that she had put in her piece titled, 'My Dress Hangs There' in the painting to depict a more happier and at peace Frida. You see, she was very unhappy when she created this because she was tired of being in America in the Big Apple, with Diego and yearned to travel back home to Mexico. 

In Frida's painting, She puts her dress in her piece, surrounded by big, grey buildings, industrialization and city life. This kind of life depressed her. She wanted to escape from it all and go back to a simpler way of life, surrounded by colors, nature and her pets. 

My painting is a continuation of her journey and  into the after life.  We all hope Frida's suffering is over and that she is in a restful place.  

Niña Artista came about in my mind, in a flash.  It was a vision of the entire piece, that I was able to fly into and explore, while still in my mind's eye.  I didn't question what it meant or why to create it, but knew I had to get this idea out quickly.  Some paintings come to me in  this way, and I can try to figure them out later.  The figure or child in the middle represents a child painter, but could be any child with aspiring dreams and imagination; pretty much all children.  

As life goes on and we learn to fit into society, life can get complicated, with kids of our own, mortgages, jobs,responsibilities.  It's easy to get sucked into the whirlwind of life and lose sight of the child we once were; the child full of hope, imagination and dreams.  I think if we keep that light alive, inside of us, we can aspire to  come into our true and authentic selves.   

The message of this painting for me is hope; to hold on, look to the light,  and not lose sight of that child within us.

I created this piece because I believe a teacher is one of the highest callings a person can have.  We live our lives, gain wisdom through our personal journey, and then in turn to share that wisdom, is the greatest gifts we give to others; To help, empower and connect  with fellow man.  

Anyone and everyone is a teacher at some point.  I am a teacher, my child is a teacher; my neighbor is a teacher. Personally,  My dog has been one of my greatest teachers.