CASA AZUL

One of the main reasons I chose to travel to Mexico City was to visit Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul.  Originally her family’s home, the compound has been turned into a museum where you can see many of her belongings and some of her artwork.  It is truly a magical place where you can feel the vibrancy of her life and work.

I built up the experience throughout the trip, knowing that I would visit the museum on my last weekend in Mexico.  I searched high and low through the markets to find the perfect ensemble to wear, because I wanted it to be authentically Mexican; something Frida might have worn herself.  I bought tickets to the museum ahead of time, hoping to avoid any chance of disaster when the day finally came for me to visit Frida's house.

When I arrived at the museum on the date and time of my ticket, I found that they were closing early due to the New Year's holiday - and that I would have 15 minutes, at most, inside La Casa Azul.  After waiting so long to finally visit this special place, I was incredulous that I would not even have enough time to see all of the exhibitions.  Manic, I rushed through the space, missing many opportunities that I would have taken to linger over objects and read wall labels.  It was an immense disappointment - the pinnacle of my trip to Mexico was ruined.

Soon after I arrived, the guards began ushering attendees out of the exhibition halls and into the central courtyard (where the iconic blue walls and yellow stepped altar reside).  Resigned, I slowly walked toward the exit, stopping every few feet to take photos.  Moments passed, and many attendees left the museum.  But then something miraculous happened.  Inexplicably, the guards allowed me to remain.  In fact, no one approached me, or said anything at all.  They just stood guard by the entrance as every last person left the museum, except for myself and Will.  We slowly walked through the courtyard, taking photographs, and marveling at how quiet and serene the it was, now that all of the guests were gone.  I reveled in the experience of spending quiet, uninterrupted time within the walls of Frida's abode - and I can't imagine a better way to connect with the art and with her spirit.  We ended up staying inside for nearly an hour after the museum closed - an hour that I will treasure as one of the highlights of my visit to Frida's homeland.

Although I didn’t have the chance to mull over each object like I intended to, I left with an overall feeling of understanding what it must have been like for Frida to live her life within the walls of the Casa Azul, and the sense of calm that came with an oasis that blocked out the busyness and bustle of the outside world.

Photos by William Sealy.

MEXICAN DRESS

Here is another snap from my travels through Central Mexico.  I couldn't get over all of the amazing colors - and it made me wonder why some countries and populations are just more colorful than others.  I'll report back on my findings.  But for the time being, this embroidered Mexican dress is one of my favorite souvenirs from my visit to Guanajuato.

Do you have any favorite souvenirs from your travels?  I'd love to see them!

Photo by William Sealy.

CHAPEL OF JIMMY RAY

I’m back in New York City and am catching up on sharing some experiences from my travels over the past few weeks.  Thanks to those of you who followed along on Instagram!

I started my journey in San Miguel de Allende, a small, colorful town a few hours Northwest of Mexico City.  It is a haven for artists and artisans, and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed roaming the quaint streets and peeping into colorful shops.

The highlight of my visit to San Miguel was the Chapel of Jimmy Ray, a complex outside the city where Anado McLauchlin, a California transplant, has established an artistic oasis.  A plot of land filled with his art, his home, a gallery, and his workshop, the Chapel is just one of the structures on the property.  Anado himself is a hilarious, warm, and chatty individual, and his husband Richard is equally inviting.  Anado and Richard showed us around their property, and we marveled at all the work that went into the many mosaics which cover most of the structures.  Their house is a wonder in and of itself, filled with colorful curiosities and their artwork as well as that of their friends.

I felt wonderfully inspired by all of the beauty that Anado and Richard had created, and the fact that they continuously work to bring more color and beauty to their surroundings.  I also felt a strong sense of gratitude at being able to meet Anado and see his work and hear him speak about it – so often the work of artists is only discovered and cherished after they are gone.  I was able to make a real connection with both Anado and Richard that I will treasure for years to come.

Photos by William Sealy.

FRIDA AL FRESCO

You may already be aware of my love for Frida Kahlo (ahem, this Halloween costume).  That, coupled with my affinity for horticulture made the Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden something I couldn't miss.  I attended the Frida Al Fresco evening on Saturday, and couldn't wait to share.  Not only is there a recreation of Frida and Diego's Casa Azul and an exhibition of her artwork, there were also themed cocktails (prickly pear margarita!), an all-female mariachi band, a taco truck, and a dancer who looked like Frida!  It was such an arousing evening, really a sensory overload of color, sound, and smell.  At the end of the evening, there was a special Jenny Holzer projection on the Observatory of Mexican poetry, including excerpts from Frida Kahlo's diary.

If you're not able to make it to Coyoacan, Mexico to see the real Casa Azul, then definitely take the time to go to the NYBG before November 1st, 2015.

Blouse: Vintage

Skirt: Reiss

Shoes: Belle by Sigerson Morrison (also worn here)

Silk Shawl: Vintage

Flower Crown: Self Made

Photos by Meri Feir and myself.

RUFINO TAMAYO

There's something so fresh and summery about the combination of pink and orange (which has been dominating street and personal style sites), and I love the warm, bright palette's similarity to the work of Rufino Tamayo.

Tamayo (1899-1991) was a Zapotecan Indian artist who traveled abroad and eventually founded the Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum in Mexico City.

During his early artistic career in Mexico, Tamayo was looked down upon by other artists such as Diego Rivera and

José Clemente Orozco, whose work dealt with overt political themes.

Tamayo, more interested in the personal, everyday human identity, relocated to New York, and eventually Paris, where he found wide recognition and popularity for his work.

A key element of Tamayo's work is his use of mixografia, a technique in which handmade paper was used to build a textured surface, upon which the artwork was created.

"Art is a means of expression that must be understood by everybody, everywhere. It grows out of the earth, the textures of our lives, and our experience." --Rufino Tamayo

I'm wearing a thrifted silk blouse, vintage silk pants, vintage necklace, Johnny Wujek x Modern Vintage heels, and a Cynthia Rowley clutch.

[Tamayo images from artloft.com, metmuseum.org, and galeriedada.com, respectively.]