Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye

On By ResaIn Guests

It’s hard to talk about Mexican street art, or Mexican art of any ilk, without massive nods to Frida Kahlo.

D.G. –  You should see all the Frida stuff I have here, from art to books to clothing and a beach bag. Can you tell I’m a huge Frida fan? LOL

Resa –  Yes I can tell! So, let’s see what you’ve captured and then spend some time with Frida! In regards to the pic below, that you have titled“Little Boy Lost in Technology”: It looks like it is painted on a crumbling shack.?

D.G. – I didn’t even remember titling it that, lol. My interpretation is because so many are lost in their phones like phone zombies.

D.G. named many of the pics she sent in. I’ll put those in blue italics.

But actually, it’s not a shack, it’s the side of a store downtown. I’m not sure but I would guess it was painted on stucco? I mean the brick is exposed and so is part of the board and stucco?

Resa – Is this what it is like in parts of Puerto Vallarta?
I mean is poverty and hi-tech living together?
Is this image reflective of real life there?

D.G. – Yes, there is definitely poverty, just not in the tourist areas. Wall art/murals are permitted there as a medium of social messaging. The artist only needs the permission of the building owner and/or local authorities. Funny though, no matter how poor, everyone seems to have a phone. 🙂

D.G. – This intricate mosaic done in mirrored glass is in the Entertainment Park at the malecon (boardwalk), a square where they have entertainment sometimes and the Saturday morning market is held.

Resa –  It’s gorgeous!

Resa – Is this image on the malecon? Or where did you find it?

D.G – The above shot and the  next one were taken at the La Cruz market. Above, the artist featured paintings. The next one was a mural painted on a storefront entrance.

Resa – Is the La Cruz market the main market in Puerto Vallarta? Is it on the Malecon?Does one buy food there as well as art?

D.G. – Yes, there is a whole area like an outdoor foodcourt where merchants sell home made food and baked goods. Delish! There are several little markets throughout all towns, and yes, the Malecon has little markets as well, and a Saturday market. But the La Cruz market is by far the biggest and doesn’t have typical market items. It’s more artisan crafted – clothing, jewelry, hats, collectibles, lotions – you name it.

Resa – Tell me about “Child Art”!

D.G – The image of the girl is an actual painting, not a mural. I took the shot up in La Cruz outside a booth with an artist doing his art. I didn’t get to speak with him so I don’t know his name. His art was outside his booth on stands. I wasn’t the only one with a camera. 

Resa – You titled the above “Catholic Religious”. Is this image on, or by a church?

D.G. – The girl with the red apron was snapped outside a building on a downtown side street. I’m still trying to figure it out. It looks religious at first, but why would the vegetable be on it? Lol. It’s wall art, but not sure what it represents.

Resa – I get it! The red apron/poncho looks like a “chasuble”, a liturgical vestment  worn by Roman Catholic priests and bishops at mass. Seems like there are a lot of murals/street art in Puerto Vallarta.

D.G. – Puerto Vallarta is a growing art scene with so much talent.
Murals are allowed and have been a common way for artists to express themselves in social justice since the Mexican Muralism Movement. It began with wall paintings in the civic buildings after 1910 to educate the illiterate.

Resa – “Planetary art” Was this found at a trip to the Planetarium, or is it street art that made you think planetarium?

D.G. -As you well know, when you walk along older narrow and/or cobblestone roads, there’s always something to see. This photo was painted on a wall on a narrow downtown street.

Resa –  Where were “Splash of Nature’s Colour” and“Peaceful Art” found?

D.G. – The splash was taken in Punta Mita, another town not far from La Cruz. It was a very short street with a few stores and restaurants and outside the stores you would find art.

D.G. – Peaceful art grabbed my attention while I was walking downtown around the malecon area. We were looking for the cotton store. I remember being disappointed when I looked at it later. I’d cut some of the top off. I was standing across the street from it, and I was trying to snap the photo in between many cars driving by.

Resa – Out of the dozen pics of art you sent, 5  are of Frida. It seems to me inasmuch as Mexico inspired Frida, Frida now inspires Mexico. Am I overstating her influence?

D.G. – No, you aren’t overstating the huge influence Frida had and still stands for in the Mexican culture. Frida is loved and admired throughout Mexico. She is admired for her colourful artwork – all expressions of what she was feeling throughout her life as well as many political paintings.

Resa – I adore this mural of Frida, which you say is on a restaurant. Did you eat there?

D.G. – No I never ate there, so I can’t even tell you what the name is. My bad.

Resa – The important thing is you got the pic!

Resa –  I love this pic of Frida and Diego you took when visiting “Immersive Frida Kahlo”, in Toronto.

Click on the pic below and go to an article D.G. wrote about Frida. It fills in many things not in this post.

A BIT OF HISTORY
D.G. – Frida was born July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954. Frida played a big part in the Nationalist Movement during the Mexican Revolution that took place from 1910 to 1920. The country was fighting for democracy to get rid of a dictator that had been in power for 34 years, violating the Mexican Constitution.

Many of her art pieces represent the pain she suffered in her younger days when she was first bedridden for months when she contracted Polio in 1913. She recovered, but she was left with one leg shorter than the other and deformed and wore a built-up shoe to help her limp. Then she was bedridden after a terrible bus accident in 1925. It was when Frida was held up in bed for months that her father had an easel installed above her bed so she could draw.

Frida is known as empowering, and as an icon for women’s strength, her art, and her love for the Mexican culture. Many only knew her as Diego Rivera’s wife in their younger days because he was already a famous mural painter when they met, and her art was not yet recognized. 

Resa – Although you shot the “Immersive Frida Kahlo” images from moving wall projections, I am enamoured. I put most of them in the Slideshow below.

D.G. – Frida’s portrait of Diego in the slide show –  To me. this painting highlights their volatile and turbulent relationship as it looks like hot flames.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

D.G. – Check out this great video on Mexican Muralism

How Mexican muralism sparked a public art movement

Resa – What a fabulous video! Thank you, Debby! I’m thrilled with everything you’ve sent me. Our post will be the bee’s knee’s!

D.G. We’re a great team. And of course we’re not just throwing pics up without discussing what they are, and perhaps a personal opinion or observation here and there. You are the creative art director and great photographer. I take amateur pics that tell me a story and love to write about. Teamwork!

About the Author

D.G. Kaye is a Canadian author living in Toronto. She is a nonfiction writer of memoirs about her life experiences, matters of the heart, and women’s issues. Her positive outlook keeps her on track, allowing her to take on life’s challenges with a dose of humor and a mission to overcome adversity.

D.G. began writing when pen and paper became the tools to express her pent-up emotions during her turbulent childhood. She began journaling about her life at a young age and continued writing about the people and events that left imprints and lessons. She writes books to share her stories and inspiration.

D.G. is a big advocate for kindness and for empowering women. Her favorite saying is “For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”

When she’s not writing, D.G. loves to read (self-help books and stories of triumph), cook (concocting new recipes, never to come out the same way twice), shop (only if it’s a great sale), play poker (when she gets the chance), and, most of all, travel.

Visit her website at www.dgkayewriter.com and join her mailing list to keep up with her latest blogs and news about her books and events.

Contact D.G. at: d.g.kaye.writer@gmail.com

Follow D.G. on her social sites:

http://www.dgkayewriter.com

www.twitter.com/@pokercubster

www.facebook.com/dgkaye

www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7

Visit D.G.’s author page and books: www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7.

Podcast links: Grief the Real Talk

https://www.youtube.com/DebbyDGKayeGies

https://soundcloud.com/dgkaye

https://open.spotify.com/episode/38OoQQysdvNYjXL3pfCMMq?si=wg-DQ8_PSs-hthRtIzvpFQ

191 thoughts on “Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye”

    1. Debby has me thrilled to pieces with all the pics she took in PV. I knew it was going to be a fab post, and then she came up with the “Immersive Frida” shots.
      What a great time we had doing this.
      I love “Child Art”, too!
      It’s our second project together.

      Reply

  2. That bus accident almost killed Frida. As it was, she lived in constant pain afterwards and suffered greatly in the last years of her life. It’s great to see her legacy lives on so beautifully in these fantastic pieces.

    Reply

  3. A beautiful art display and conversation Resa and DG. Frieda is legendary and I love all that you’ve shared with us and the details . The Paradise art piece is stunning, I’d love to have a print for my own wall. Thank you dear ladies for a glorious post! Love it!
    xoxoxo ❤️

    Reply

    1. Thank you dear Holly!
      Lots of fab street art in Mexico! That is a wonderful thing. I adore street art because it’s for everyone.
      One can look at Mexico through the eyes of the current events on the news, or through the eyes of Frida.
      She was a visionary who helps us see the beauty of what is possible through her art.
      xoxoxo ❤️

      Reply

      1. So true re Mexico. When I imagine it I picture the Azul Casa in my mind. I dedicated a post to Frida. A courageous and lovely woman and artist. I recently read her art has surpassed Diego’s in value, a concept once unheard of. Thank you for this beautiful display of Mexican wall art. So inspiring. xoxoxoxo👯‍♀️

        Reply

        1. Really!!! Her art is now more valuable than Diego’s. Gotta love that!
          I remember your Frida post. You let me use some of it in my post for Gigi on Art Gowns, when I drew Frida.
          I just can’t get enough wall art. Debby going to PV was the most fab opportunity.
          xoxoxoxo 🎨👯‍♀️🎨

          Reply

  4. frida is one of my very favorite artists and i love the pieces of puerto vallarta street art shared here. she and diego lived here in detroit for while while he painted the detroit industry murals in the early 1930s. i met an old artist who met them there when he was a young starving artist and they invited him to share a meal with them.

    Reply

      1. I can try to find his name, but he may no longer be alive, it was 20 plus years ago. He was working with other seniors in the city of Detroit to keep them engaged in life through making art. He said they saved his life,with Frida inviting him over to share a roast chicken with them. I wish he was around to interview now, I have so many questions

        Reply

        1. I’m sure you have questions!
          It’s a fab tale, Beth.
          He was doing a great work.
          Frida was not as popular 20years ago, as she is now. Her legacy has grown exponentially.

          Reply

    2. Hi Beth. Thanks for sharing that snippet of Frida and Diego. Yes, they did migrate to the US for awhile when Diego was commissioned to do some art there. How fascinating it would have been to meet them. 🙂

      Reply

    2. Lol! Yay! I know…DG and Frida. It’s lots of fun.
      (Drew AGM Shey in a biker gown… not a biker outfit… a gown. Will send it soon) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

      Reply

    2. Thank you, Dave!
      Yes, Frida’s work is in its own league.
      Debby is is true fan. I am too, but I don’t have the Frida collection she has. (I have a Jimi Hendrix fan collection!)
      Yay for all the arts!!!

      Reply

  8. Wonderful street art and discussion!
    You two do make a good team. 🙂
    Several years ago, we saw an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art that included art from 20th century Mexican artists–some really powerful political art–and works by both Rivera and Frida.

    Reply

    2. I love having art discussions. That’s all arts! Yes, Debby & I do make a great team. This is our second project together.

      The exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art sounds fab.
      We could use more political art. It’s like visual protest songs.

      Reply

        1. THANK YOU!
          Merril, I enjoyed that article tremendously and learned a lot from it.
          Street Art and murals have become ensconced in my blood since the first mural I ever discovered, from the window of the room my mother died in.
          It was not political, but rather historical.
          https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/2013/05/22/charlie-chaplin/
          Since, I had become aware of the political importance of street art from Jacqueline Hadel’s book “Columbian Street Art”.

          More and more I saw and still see the importance of street art & murals.
          I put them together because art and murals done for private entities do not serve the public’s interest.

          Mexico indeed is a leader in art for the public’s consumption. This has become evident to me.

          Here in Toronto street art and murals have taken on an entertainment like status, without a lot of historical or political importance.

          Although I do say commentary on the status of the environment has been embraced in much of Toronto’s street art. I have a Monarch Butterfly high up on my home, which is on a main street. Drive or walk by and you will see it.
          I suppose if I had had blood painted on the butterfly, it would be a strong commentary.

          Again, thank you for the article. It is a wonderful gift! 💙💙

          Reply

    2. Thank you, Marina!
      I adore the mosaic, too. It seems mosaics are not a popular art form right now.
      I think mosaics can be made from trash (non stinky) headed for land fill, like my Art Gowns.
      Some entity should sponsor that!
      Frida outside the restaurant is my fave, too.
      xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo 🧽🧽🧽 (just in case)

      Reply

        1. You know, Hera could be like a Secret Agent Dog. She could go around loving bad guys until they gave up, or just simply drowned.
          🐾😘🧽🐾😘🧽🐾😘🧽🐾😘🧽🐾😘🧽🐾😘🧽🐾😘🧽

          Reply

          1. A ha ha haaaaaaaa………. I’ll tell her. I’m curious what her reaction will be! 😉
            For now she just sends buckets of slobberies!
            😘🐾😘🐾😘🐾😘🐾😘🐾😘🐾😘🐾😘🐾

            Reply

  10. That was fun and beautiful. I’m so glad you two collaborated and shared Puerto Vallerta’s street art, with some history and culture tossed in to spice it up. I think my favorite Frida mural is the one of the restaurant. It seems to transcend time as she looks right at you. Thanks for starting my day with such beauty!

    Reply

    1. Thanks Diana. I agree, I love that photo, it grabbed my attention walking downtown on little cobblestone streets. Frida is still a strong presence in Mexico. ❤

      Reply

    2. It’s so fab working with Debby! She is such a fun sharing person.
      The restaurant mural is my fave, too.
      Glad we could help start your day off right!
      Weekend hugs!

      Reply

    2. Debby did great! I was thrilled to see what she brought back.
      Yes, Frida is fascinating, as an artist and a person who walked the earth.
      Debby’s adoration of Frida is absolutely contagious.

      Reply

  15. Hello Ladies, thanks for a great read and photographs. I love how the painting on the restaurant seems to have aged and fits perfectly with the surroundings. I also have to say that this Frida image reminded me of the actress Helena Bonham-Carter (in fact I just Googled pictures of Helena and found some of her dressed up as Frida for a public appearance!) Frida continues to inspire it seems.

    Reply

    2. Thank you, Tyeth!
      Ahh, I’ll have to check out Helena Bonham-Carter as Frida, and remind myself. Frida is definitely special. She earned her artist stripes, big time!

      Reply

    1. Omg, and here you are lovely Christy. Thanks so much for your kudos and appreciation. If I’m not mistaken, I do believe I met Resa through your blog Mrs. Empowering woman. 🙂 ❤ xx

      Reply

      1. Woohooooo bring on the women supporting women ~ LOVE knowing that’s how you two met ~ And also love having the support from both of you ~ Much love to you both 💗

        Reply

    1. Thank you Sally!
      Debby is a lot of fun, and the street art in Mexico is great.
      I adore street art, can’t seem to get enough.

      Soon, I’ll be reading Debby’s newest book.
      Just gotta mop up what’s in my queue right now. ♥
      Have a great weekend!

      Reply

        1. Lol!
          I hear you, although I do try to keep my queues as short as possible. There is just so much to do: walking & looking for street art, sewing my gowns, drawing my gowns and more.
          I’m thinking of giving up housework! 🙄😵‍💫

          Reply

  23. When I was laid up with the knee and ankle problems I turned back to art. I was too tired from just getting around that I couldn’t write. Art takes more heart and less mind. Thank goodness Frida’s father bought her an easel.

    Reply

  26. I really enjoyed seeing all this street art! I particularly like the one of the girl with the vegetable on her poncho/scarf – her smile is so natural and it made me smile!

    Reply

  27. Wow, what a great post! I am new to your site and was blown away by the art and the back and forth between you and Debby. I had no idea that Debby has a photo journalism side too, not to mention her interest in art history. I really enjoyed this – I “think” Frida painted with the pink background is my favorite. Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Melanie. Great to see you here at Resa’s fabulous blog. I’m so glad you enjoyed our little collaboration. And thanks for the kudos. I’m not a pro photographer like Resa, lol, but I do like to take pictures and I’m a big Frida fan. Glad I could give you a glimpse of Mexican art and a bit of history here. ❤

      Reply

      2. Hi Debby. Just returning from being away. Yes, Resa has created quite a cool blog. Kudos to her. And now when I see something about Frida, or her image, I will think of you! 🙂

        Reply

  28. Pingback: Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye and Resa McConaghy – Graffiti Lux Art & More – DGKayewriter.com

  29. A fabulous collaboration, Reza and Debby. Thanks for the pics and the comments, and thanks for the video as well. I love street art and it tells so much about the place and the artists! I hope you get to do more collaborations in the future. Great work!

    Reply

    1. Hi Olga. Thanks for visiting here too. We are thrilled you enjoyed our Art talk. This was fun to do with Resa and I surely hope we will do more together again. ❤

      Reply

  30. I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Resa and Debby. Frida’s art is bold and alluring. It attracts me in the same way as Georgia O’Keeffe’s. Excellent collaboration! Thanks so much for bringing it to us ❤️❤️

    Reply

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