Cecilia Reyna's Essay Submission
Courage through Kahlo: The Story of Finding Inspiration in Frida
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who lived with constant obstacles. Polio stricken as a child, she developed a deformity in her legs. A vehicle accident as a teenager left her severely injured with a broken pelvis, ribs, right leg, and a pierced abdomen and uterus, Thus she suffered many medical problems that caused great paint throughout her lifetime.
But through her pain she found art and her calling in painting. She developed her own style of painting that can be described as bright and unique. She painted her feelings and her life exactly as she saw it. Even though she found her calling, it was not an effortless task to move forward in her work. Because she was a woman, she was not seen as an equal among her male counterparts. She was not taken seriously as an artist and was told to give up her passion.
But Frida was not one to blend in with the rest. Her family thought of her as the odd ball. And even when family thought of her career choice not “normal” for a woman, Frida never gave up, she always preserved, even if it caused her physical and emotional pain. She kept painting and kept fighting for the equal opportunity to be recognized for her passion. Now many people know her a famous Mexican artist and fearless woman who continually stood her ground among the doubts.
Though Frida Kahlo has gone through more pain that I can imagine, there are parallels in our lives. She did not let anyone set her back on her passion. I, too, have chosen to make my own path. Even though my family may not understand why art is so important to me, the process of art making is not something I can see my life without. Art is my way of expression, starting from my youth. I found my escape in playing pretend and drawing pictures. Art was first a recreational activity, something I dabbled with as play. Then art became a way for me to explore ideas and feelings. Art truly found me; I began to paint what I wanted my world to look like. And ever since art has been my life and I keep painting and persevering. Some people look at what I do only as child’s play or something that will not amount to “real” professions, but deep down art has been and will continue to be the way that lets others seem who I am.
Frida was not only a woman but a fighter, a leader, and a unique woman who was trying to be herself in the midst of others telling her she was not normal. In a world where women are told to follow in line she, instead, made her own path and never looked back. Frida Kahlo was a pioneer and one that should not be forgotten. Because of women like her, having the courage to make her own path, she has given me true inspiration.