Flowers for Frida

 Hello m' furry antlers,

I wonder what the artist Frida Kahlo would have made of a national lockdown. With her stern mono brow stare, nationalistic folk dress and cigar smoking attire, she looked to be a woman who wouldn't have liked being told what to do. However, Frida was no stranger to confinement. Having a crippled right leg from contracting polio as a child, she reached her teens only to have her spine, ribs and pelvis crushed in a bus accident, resulting in years of operations, multiple miscarriages and chronic pain.

Henry Ford Hospital (1932), The Two Fridas (1939), The Broken Column (1944), The Little Deer (1946)

Detailed paintings can be viewed at www.fridakahlo.org

 

Turning away from her previous career choice of medicine, Frida started painting. And what did she choose to paint in her constant bed of non-convalescence? The subject matter closest at hand - herself. 

Only one look at some of her self-portraits exposes the true frustration, heartbreak and real life suffering behind Frida's modern day 'kitsch' poster image. Aside from her physical trauma, there was also a second "grave accident" in her life - her emotionally turbulent relationship with her fellow artist husband, Diego Rivera.

A closer look at these paintings uncovers personal resilience and a passion for life. Frida stares out at us knowingly, unflinching, accepting of her condition. The bold painting style and vibrant colours reflect her character; the subject matter is deeply imbued with references to Mexican culture and politics.  

In her blue house 'La Casu Azul', Frida created a sanctuary for herself, surrounded by pets (monkeys, dogs, even a deer), plants (fruit trees, cacti, palms, flowers galore) and the occasional lover.

Dahlias at Long Mizzle

Frida said that flowers had their own provocative language - "[they] teach us things that are hidden". She was well known for wearing native flowers in her hair, including Dahlias, Marigolds and Fuschia. It is no small coincidence that Dahlias are the national flower of her homeland, Mexico.

                                                          (C) Jamie Akrill Photography

In my twenties, I used to wrap my head in silk Dahlias before getting on stage with my wonderful band sisters. [The band will go unnamed for this post due to some questionable video footage!] The stomp box was full of illegal contraband in those days. Now it has succumbed to woodworm and is in the greenhouse, full of garden paraphernalia.

                                                                       Dahlia 'My Love'

In 2020, I grew Dahlias for the first time, having admired them for years...

                                           (My favourite Dahlia, thus far - 'Totally Tangerine')

Just as 'Fridamania' has taken off in recent years (Frida tea towels, Frida dressing gowns, Frida water bottles etc.) , Dahlia mania seems also to be in full swing, with a spectacular choice available: singles, cactus, semi-castus, pompom, ball, anemone, decorative and collarette. Unlike Frida's complex life, Dahlias are actually quite simple to grow.

                                               Dahlia 'Decorative White' and  'Heatwave'

 

'Totally tangerine' and Heatwave'

                                                                            Dahlia 'Duet'

There will be no demureness for me in the Dahlia patch this summer. I am going full out gaudy!!! I'm even breaking into the veggie patch to accommodate my growing collection.

 

These will hopefully be this year's additions (pictured above). They were ordered back in December from Halls of Heddon and should arrive within the next month, as small rooted cuttings - 

• Collerette types: Dilys Ayling, Pooh, Mary Eveline
• Semi Cactus: Weston Spanish Dancer
• Single type: Hadrian's Midnight

 

Here are last year's tubers (from Sarah Raven and Lidl). They have been taken out of their winter storage, potted up, watered and popped above the radiator in 'the snub' (home office).

Did you know that the Aztecs used Dahlias for food and medicine? To this day, the tubers are edible but I've never met anyone who's cooked one up for dinner, have you?

This summer, when I pick some Dahlias and pop them in my hair, I will raise a glass to dear Frida and think of her enduring art and perseverance of character.

Are you excited to grow anything inspired by an artist?

Lulu xXx

 

p.s. Van Gogh sneaked a couple of his sunflowers into this bouquet -

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