Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954)
On this date in 1954, Frida Kahlo left her body — at just 47 years old — but left us with her visionary, inspiring body of work. She resisted when art critics called her work “Surrealist,” saying: “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.” Her last painting depicted sliced watermelons — and in one of the slices she painted, “Viva La Vida” (live the life — or live life). A gifted writer as well as painter, Frida was the author of the illustrated Diary of Frida Kahlo, available here. (Note on above illustration: Mural in Los Angeles by Siner; photograph by Patrice Raunet)
Silver Birch Press 