Finding Frida Kahlo Online Art Class
Mixed Media Painting & Collage with Kristena West M.A.
$85
"Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light. Tragedy is the most ridiculous thing." – Frida Kahlo
Finding Frida: Let's celebrate Frida Kahlo a woman of courage, creativity and color!
We all love Frida Kahlo! Why is Frida, loved internationally as one of The Women's Icon?
This question is well worth some consideration. Frida rocks on so many levels. She was politically active, she spoke up, she loved without apology, she used her creativity to cope with and overcome her pain, suffering and body limitations.
We'll take a look at Frida's biography, paintings and peek into her personal diary too.
Everyone is Welcome, you do not have to be an artist to take this class!
$85
Artists at some point or other, will probably devote some time to Frida Kahlo. I think most of the world loves Frida, like I love Lucy and Marilyn Monroe-Frida is an icon of a strong, sexy, brave lover and painter! She overcame great physical odds to continue painting and loving Diego.
I have been studying Frida painting, drawing and collage since February so bring months of work to this marvelous class.
KRISTENA'S FRIDA KAHLO
COLORED PENCIL AND COLLAGE OF ROSES CHARCOAL PAPER 18" X 24" 2005
“Can verbs be made up? I’ll tell you one. I heaven you, so my wings will open wide to love you boundlessly. I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy to be alive as long as I can paint.”
~ Frida Kahlo
Painting completed my life.
I lost three children and a series of other things that would have fulfilled my horrible life.
My painting took the place of all of this. I think work is the best.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo & Jesus Sticky Pix collage painting
Finding Frida
Here's a description of our expressive art lessons
PROJECT 1: FRIDA PORTRAIT
WARM-UP PENCIL & CHARCOAL SKETCH
Let's Start with a warm-up drawing exercise, a simple sketch, not to be finished, just a thumb-nail. Taking a photo of Frida we free-hand a sketch, really taking the time to look at her features.
This is not a "finished" drawing, just a thumbnail to drop into Frida's face and get to know her.
This gets us over the hump of the "fear of starting" and we can gently begin our study of Finding Frida.
PROJECT 2: PASTEL ON BLACK
CHARCOAL PAPER
Oh How I love Frida- here is another warm-up geared to allow us to have some fun with color on a black ground. Staying loose and free we continue to build our Finding Frida energy.
Using pastels on black charcoal paper allows a bright bold Color Pop! And every time you do this exercise it will be different.
Frida moves in to realm of the Black or Dark Goddess, a Demeter that descends to the underworld to find Diego!
PROJECT 3: OIL PASTELS
FINDING FRIDA PHOTO
Now we have a beautiful image a full frontal portrait of Frida I have taken into Photoshop and brightened and sharpened the contrast to get an almost Posterized Frida.
Now we take that and print and have some fun moving into oil pastels.
Now we are feeling the Fire of Frida relaxing and moving deeper into her story and iconic image.
PROJECT 4: OIL PASTELS BOLD!
Now that we are warmed up an loose we are going to do another Frida using more colors to really PoP the image.
This lesson gives us an added dose of feeling good about our oil pastels skills. But wait there's more to come!
One of these oil pastels will become the face that we collage and paint on an 18"x24" canvas - see below!
Frida Bonus Lesson
BONUS PROJECT
PAINTING FRIDA MIXED-MEDIA PORTRAIT OF FRIDA
Now we are warmed up and ready to go! Grab a 20" 24" canvas and get ready to paint.
You can do a free-form Frida or use my enhanced photo to print on canvas paper and glue to canvas for perfect Frida measurements- we are creating an icon after all!
CLASSROOM IS OPEN $85
what will you learn in this class?
• How to draw a portrait looking a black and white photograph.
• Using a color photo of Frida draw in pastels on black paper, learn how color pops off black.
• Use Oil Pastels on two more portraits of Frida; each lesson is different in approach to color use.
• Take one of your finished color portraits and using canvas paper print and use for painting.
• Paint an 18" x 24" painting using our canvas collage print learning how to place & glue print and build surfaces using acrylic, oil pastels and collage.
SUPPLY LIST
9" X 12" FABRIANO WATER COLOR PAPER 140 HOT PRESS (SMOOTH SURFACE)
8.5" X 11" FREDERICK CANVAS PAPER
OIL PASTELS. I RECOMMEND SENNELIER OR PORTFOLIO. PORTFOLIO COME AS WATER ACTIVATED OIL PASTELS SO CHECK THE LABEL.
ASSORTED PENCILS, WATER ACTIVATED COLORED PENCILS, WATERCOLORS, PAINT PENS,
PASTELS
CHARCOAL STICK AND/OR PENCIL & CHARCOAL BLENDER
GEL MEDIUM OR MODGE PODGE
Meet Kristena West M.A.
Kristena West received her Masters in Transformational Arts & Consciousness, a program that focused on how artists can change the world. Her thesis is on cross-cultural sacred iconography. BA is in academic and professional writing and psychology. Undergraduate is in Fine & Commercial Arts and Fashion Design.
I have been an artist my entire life. I have been engaged in community arts, curated exhibitions and worked in fine art galleries since I was eighteen years old. I have always worked with groups.
I have 30 years training with shamans and have trained groups and clients in these ways of knowing. My question has always been with indigenous shamans, "What makes Art Sacred?" And these gifts of what I learned I bring to my work and to students who take my classes.
Last year I learned video & podcasting so I can throw a wider net online, so many friends who cannot find transformative arts classes can now do so. This is the beauty and delight of Transformative Sacred Arts.
I invite you to join me to draw, sketch and paint with Frida! See you in class!
