Frida Kahlo

Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye and Resa McConaghy – Graffiti Lux Art & More

Published on by dgkaye

I’m excited to be sharing my collaborated post with artist and designer, Resa McConaghy over at Graffitti Lux and Murals. Resa is an artist and gown designer and loves to search out and photograph street art. When I was away in Puerto Vallarta, she emailed me and asked if I could take some interesting photos of street art and come over to her blog and have a discussion about art and Puerto Vallarta, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, adding some photos I took at an Immersive experience of photographs projected on the walls at our AGO exhibit.

My collaboration with Resa McConaghy, artist and gown designer, on artwork in murals in Puerto Vallarta and the Immersive Frida Kahlo

Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye

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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?

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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. 

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. . .

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There are a few more interesting pictures I took at an Immersive Frida Exhibit here in Toronto last year, and more conversation. You will also learn a bit of history on the famed Frida Kahlo, the ‘tumultuous’ relationship she shared with the love of her life – famed Mural Artist, Diego Rivera, and how Frida suffered with the pain from her big bus accident for much of her life, which inspired her to paint many self portraits, depicting her pain.

I hope you’re enjoying this colorful collaboration with me and Resa and will continue reading over at GraffittiLux.

Source: Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye – Graffiti Lux Art & More

©DGKaye2023

65 thoughts on “Puerto Vallarta Street Art with D.G. Kaye and Resa McConaghy – Graffiti Lux Art & More”

  12. I adore street art. It’s such an up and coming (and now established) art form in so many towns and countries. Lots of talented painters!

    Frida was an amazing person and artist. I’d like to learn a bit more about her. There’s a good documentary about her (and Diego) I watched a few years ago.

    Only now do I realize that I know someone in the La Cruz (Marina)!! She leads the La Cruz Writer’s Group as well. I recently met her virtually and we have been in touch every day since. If only this connection was in my life when you were there, I could have set you two up. Even more girl time for you! 🙂

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    1. Wow Liesbet, what a small world. Yes, that would have been great to meet up with your La Cruz friend. And I’m so glad you enjoyed all the street art and chat. Do you see many murals in Colombia? 🙂

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      1. Yes! Mostly in the bigger cities like Medellin and Bogota, but also in the smaller ones. Street art seems to be around, even in the smallest towns. I love it how the artists are allowed to express their creativity. The rules are different in different cities/countries, but their work always brightens my day.

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      2. Thanks for sharing that with us. I figured there should be lots of street art in South America. Yes, every jurisdiction has their rules too. In Mexico city permission is required. 🙂

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  15. I read this post over at Resas and it was wonderful to browse through it again here, Debbie. Beautiful and varied artwork along with the tribute to Frida and her legacy. I love street art and how it’s accessible to all. You and Resa are quite a team.

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  18. Happy, happy!
    Debby, I sure had a great time doing this post with you.
    I don’t know what our next project will be, yet, but I know it will happen.
    You captured some wonderful art. I love having it in my collection.
    Also, your love of Frida has become a love of mine.
    Have the best weekend!!! xoxo

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  19. Hi Debbie – it must have been amazing to see all that art …and you’ve captured some great shots. I recently saw a Frida Kahlo art exhibition film of her set in Mexico city … it was very informative … a personal and intimate film of her life. A strong character … such an interesting woman – considering the era (1907 – 1954). Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi HIlary. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and that you saw that film exhibit of Frida. If you get the chance to watch the movie made of her life in the early 2000’s played by Selma Hayack, it was a fabulous telling. Hugs ❤

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