Monkey-ing Around with Self-Portraits: A Creative Take

Painting inspired by Frida Kahlo's self-portrait style. Postcard size.

Self-portraits are funny things. They’re not just about getting a face down on canvas; they’re about trying to figure out who you are. At least who you think you are. This painting? Well, it’s me monkey-ing around with a little inspiration from the great Frida Kahlo. If you don’t know her work, you should definitely take a look. She painted some incredible pieces that explore identity, culture, and a lot of personal struggles. Check them out here.

Why This Painting?

Frida Kahlo painted a number of self-portraits, often featuring animals, and they weren’t just for decoration. They meant something about her identity, pain, resilience. I figured, why not take a stab at it myself? Of course, in my version, I’m hanging out with some monkeys because, well, i like monkeys.

My portrait of Frida Kahlo 44” x 70 “ scrylic on unstretched canvas. Available for sale on Sataachi Art. Click here for sales listing

Exploring Identity Through Art

A self-portrait isn’t just about getting the likeness right. It's more like trying to capture a presence. It is something deeper than what a camera snaps. There’s a lot of trial and error, staring at yourself in the mirror, questioning choices, and maybe rethinking that beard or maybe the monkeys. Art has a way of making you take a hard look at yourself, both inside and out.

What I Learned While Painting

Painting this self-portrait made me realize a few things:

• You can’t hide from yourself when you’re staring back at you from the canvas

• Monkeys make everything better

• A painting says more about who you are than you think

Frida used self-portraits to tackle big topics, her identity, culture, pain. I guess in a way, I was doing the same, just with a little more humor and a lot less symbolism.

The Creative Process

Sometimes painting feels like you’re on the right track, and other times it’s like staring into the abyss. But self-portraits? They’re even trickier. They force you to pay attention to things you might not usually notice. The shape of your nose, the way your eyes crinkle, how a shadow falls in a certain way. It’s all in the details.

In the end, this painting is just me having a bit of fun while trying to figure myself out. Maybe that’s what self-portraits are really about. They are capturing the essence of who you are at a particular moment in time.