FridaInHeaven's Profile

Bio

FRIDA IN HEAVEN SHOP
VIVA FRIDA!

Welcome to Frida In Heaven!
(Sometimes I do "Frida In Hell"...which is often the case here on earth! And Frida certainly had a taste of that!)

Frida Kahlo is such a powerful inspiration for me! I am totally hooked on her... I find myself drawing & painting her often. I've been painting her since 2003. You can see some of my paintings of her at:

www.flickr.com/theartangel/

Most of my work of Frida Kahlo is owned by my family and friends and has only been viewed in public at SKY PEOPLE GALLERY in Asheville, North Carolina 2005...Recently, I have shown my "Frida In Heaven" & "Day Of The Dead" art at South Street in Vermont and The Berkshire Artists Colony Gallery in The Berkshires, MA.

I also have a series of cartoons called "Frida In Heaven". I'll be making zines & coloring books soon!

It is my wish to pay a royalty on any of my sales, to honor the late great Frida Kahlo. This would make me feel good and it feels like the right thing to do. It is my hearts desire & intention to send a royalty to her family in Mexico... However, this is something I have been in process with for over 2 years...researching the who's, the where's and when...strangely...not as easy as it sounds. I'll keep trying in hopes I can honor Frida Kahlo, as, I feel this is the right thing to do in using her name and image. I have obtained an address of her family and lawyer, and, hope they will respond to my inquiries.

I,personally, relate to Frida. I feel strong similarities & connections with her...besides being part Latino, I grew up with one of the most powerful, talented and rebellious painters of our time...a very strong presence & influence in my life...my father, Puerto Rican /Irish...JOE SHANNON:

www.joeshannonart.com...he is truly amazing!

I swear he is GOYA reincarnated! They even have the same birthday (day & month)! He is a rebel!
In the 60's & 70's he did a series of "protest paintings"... He paints war and the horrible things people do! From war, rape, to domestic violence. He confronts people with their "shadow" side! He's amazingly talented and gifted but his work can be disturbing!

Many major museums & collectors own his work.

During the time I started painting Frida (2003), I was dealing with a loss which sent me into a deep depression...I was in bed often when I drew or painted her.

Like Frida, I was married to an incredibly talented artist (musician), Robert Lighthouse...

www.robertlighthouse.com

He, like Diego, LOVED women! And women LOVED him!

I also couldn't have children (and wanted them!). Ended up having a hysterectomy after discovering a melon sized cyst! You can see my cartoons of this event on flickr.com Search "The Hysterical Hysterectomy". Pretty funny...and sad.

Anyway, my marriage... Robert & I had a very turbulent but close relationship (on & off - on & off!)...like Frida & Diego.

On a lighter note! Frida & I like monkeys & dressing up! And doing crazy, wild and elegant things with our hair!

SELF AS MODEL: In my very early work in my 20's, studying at The Corcoran School Of Art in Washington DC, I used myself as a model constantly in my photography.
Now, in my later years I take photos of myself daily for a documentary I'm working on about my life.

One of my most important pieces of work was in 1986, where in my desperate search for love & connection with people I began approaching strangers and asking them to pray with me in a photo booth on Times Square. I have an amazing series of photo booth pictures of me praying with strangers in NYC 1986, called: "100 Strangers Praying & How To Pray". You can see these photos at:

www.flickr.com/theartangel/
Click "SETS" best viewed as slide show.

www.youtube.com/theartangel

I'm a peace activist and have always been a bit of a rebel from a very early age. I question authority. I question war.

I'm very spiritual, but I question religion.
I'm bothered with the religious contradictions. The wars, violence and separation that are happening because of religion. I actively work for peace, dressing in angel wings in public as "THE ART ANGEL", doing art with groups of strangers/ collaborative art as a message of peace & people working together, called "Canvas Dance~ Paintings For Peace" (or "PEACE PAINT").

I just LOVE Frida! I know she is loved by many! Frida wanted to be remembered...her wish came true as many artists paint her, and of course, her powerful work will live on forever! VIVA FRIDA!

Frida, where ever you are...your face...your energy, your ART will never fade! THANK YOU for being such a strong inspiration in my life!

TO SEE MORE WORK OF BETHANN SHANNON, Please Visit:

www.TheArtAngel.ETSY.com
www.TheSillySpermShop.ETSY.com
www.cafepress.com/TheArtAngel
www.cafepress.com/sillyspermshop
www.mypetsperm.com
www.bethannshannon.com
www.myspace.com/theartangel
www.myspace.com/thespermlady
www.myspace.com/bagiga
www.flickr.com/theartangel/
www.taltopia.com/spermart

All of Bethann Shannon's work is protected under Copyright Law. Many characters, slogans, images, and names are also registered Trade Marks as well. Licensing Available.

Female, Born on February 25

Favorite Materials

canvas, paint, paper, sharpies, clay, fabric