When a traveling exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s paintings, drawings, and costumes came to Phoenix, it was a no brainer to visit. Do you find wherever you live, you are caught up in the day-day-to-day routine of life? But then someone comes to visit, and you seek out like a tourist entertaining things to do? My Mom came to visit. We both love art and museums. The Phoenix Art Museum has world-class visual arts and impressive traveling exhibits. We had a great morning wandering around the galleries and absorbing the colors and passionate life of Frida Kahlo. I never would have gone to the museum if she hadn’t come to see me.

This particular self-portrait was painted in 1943. I read that she was teaching at that point in Mexico City but her health worsened and she was forced to teach in her home. Her class trickled down to four. The loyal students sat by her bed. It has been suggested that the “Los Fridos” monkeys represent her four students. I like her eyes.