This Frida Kahlo Comic Will Remind You Why It’s Awesome to Be Strange
the original post.
Originally published on Zen Comics and republished here with their permission.
Do you ever feel strange?
You’re not the only one – in fact, the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was considered strange like you, too.
This Zen Pencils illustration of one of her quotes captures what it means to be out of place and misunderstood – before you learn how wonderful it is to be uniquely you.
With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism
A person dressed in pajamas printed with flowers is standing on a two-stepped white stool. The person’s hair is dressed in two short pigtail braids. The person is looking straight at the mirror with eyes wide, leaning forward and resting both the hands on the black countertop in front. A water spout is seen with a toothbrush beyond it. There is a towel rail with a white towel hanging from it in the background with a rug below the two-stepped white stool. The room is gray. A person dressed in pajamas printed with flowers is looking into a mirror. One short braided pigtail is seen. One hand is resting on the countertop with palm down and fingers straight. There is an under-the-counter washbasin. There is a water spout above the washbasin with two taps on either side. There is a toothbrush and toothpaste in a holder on the left of the washbasin on the countertop. There is a round bar of soap on a soap holder behind the toothpaste holder. There are rows and columns of small squares surrounding the mirror on the right side and in the area between the mirror and the countertop. The picture in the mirror shows a person with a sad expression and thick eyebrows that runs across the forehead over eyes that are rounded and wide. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The room is gray. A person is leaning forward looking into a mirror at close range. The person has a downturned mouth. The eyeballs are up, trying to look at the eyebrows. The eyebrows are thick and run across the forehead over the eyes. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The person is wearing pajamas printed with flowers. The room is gray. The mirror shows a person wearing pajamas printed with flowers shaving the eyebrow in the center of the forehead with a razor held in one hand, four fingers curled on the handle of the razor. Both the eyeballs are at the top corners looking to see the eyebrows. The tip of the tongue is seen out of one side of the mouth, curling up. The hair is parted in the middle and one pigtail braid is seen. A water spout with two taps on either side can be seen along with a toothbrush and toothpaste in a holder on the left of the taps. Rows and columns of small squares can be seen in the area between the mirror and the countertop. The room is gray. The mirror shows a person wearing pajamas printed with flowers. The hair is parted in the middle and two pigtail braids are seen on either side of the face. The person is holding a razor in front of the face by the handle with four fingers curled around the handle. The person has a smile on the face with teeth showing prominently. The eyeballs are at the top, trying to see the eyebrows. The forehead area between the eyebrows is marked by white lines to depict that this area is clear of facial hair. Rows and columns of small squares can be seen below the mirror. The room is gray. A picture of a dark room with a person sleeping curled up on a bed with the head on a pillow and a blanket covering up to the shoulders. Both hands are held tight under the chin. The person is wearing pajamas printed with flowers. The hair is parted in the middle and one pigtail braid is seen. There is a headboard above the pillow. There is a nightstand adjacent to the bed. There are blinds above the bed with the cord hanging down. The blinds are raised slightly such that the lower end of the window is seen. A picture of a brightly lit room with a person dressed in pajamas printed with flowers sitting up on a bed. One hand is rubbing the eyes while the other is held above the head with the fingers in a fist. The mouth is wide open in a yawn and the teeth can be seen. The pillow has a dent in the center. The blanket is pushed to the foot of the bed.There is a headboard above the pillow. There is a nightstand adjacent to the bed. There are blinds above the bed with the cord hanging down. The blinds are raised slightly such that the lower end of the window is seen. Text: Yawn A person dressed in pajamas printed with flowers is standing on a two-stepped white stool. The person’s hair is dressed in two short pigtail braids. The person is looking straight at the mirror with eyes scrunched up, nose tilted up, and downturned mouth. A water spout is seen with a toothbrush beyond it. There is a towel rail with a white towel hanging from it in the background with a rug below the two-stepped white stool. The room is brightly lit. A person is leaning forward looking into a mirror at close range. The person’s mouth is wide open in horror with the tongue seen in the left corner and the teeth seen prominently too. The eyeballs are up, trying to look at the eyebrows. The eyebrows are thick and run across the forehead over the eyes. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. This area of eyebrow and facial hair is highlighted by white lines. The person is wearing pajamas printed with flowers. The hair is parted in the center. The room is brightly lit. A picture of five people – the person on the extreme left is walking towards the others. There are four people standing inside the entrance to a shelter with an open door on the right side and a bench in the background with trash at the back. All of them are wearing skirts in dark grey with a check design in green. The sweaters are green in color and full sleeved with a design on the bottom edge. They are wearing a white top underneath the sweater and coattails are hanging out on either side for the three people facing forward (the second, third, and fourth from left). The back of the top is seen hanging below the sweater on the person on the extreme right. All are wearing socks and shoes. All are carrying backpacks. The person on the extreme left is holding to the straps of the backpack with both hands on either side. The hair is parted in the middle and braided into two pigtails on either side. The person has a sad look on the face with a downturned mouth. One leg is in front of the other. There are bushes in the background with a wall fence. The person on the left most of the group of four people standing within the shelter is standing facing slightly to the right holding on to the strap of the backpack with one hand while the other is holding up a mobile phone aloft. This person is looking at the person on the extreme left with a snotty look on the face. There is a hair clip holding the hair in place. The second person from the left in the group has a mobile phone held in front with one hand while the other hand is hanging down. This person is standing slightly turned to the right. This person is also looking at the person on the extreme left from the corner of the eyes. This person is wearing ear bobs and has the hair in two small ponytails on either side with a wide eyed, grim look on the face. The third person from the left in the group is standing with one hand hanging down and the other holding the waist. This hand is pushing back the strap of the backpack. There is an amazed look on the face with a sarcastic smile. The hair is cut in a bob with the front bangs falling across the forehead. The person on the extreme right is standing facing the other three people in the group and looking at the person on the extreme left with the head turned. This person has a questioning, wide eyed look on the face. The hair is parted from the side, falls in waves, and is held in place with a hairband. This person is carrying a cell phone in one hand and the thumb is on the screen. Text: I used to think I was the strangest person in the world… A picture of four people who are all wearing green sweaters with a white top underneath. The collars are shown lying out on the sweater. The sleeves are full length. There is a design around the neck of the sweaters and the same is repeated at the wristband. A strap of the backpack is seen on one shoulder of the person on the extreme left. Straps are seen on both the shoulders of the other three people. The person on the left extreme has hair parted on the side and held in place with a hair clip. The mouth is open in a wide grin with the tongue hanging out and teeth seen prominently. The person has a wide eyed, teasing and sarcastically amused look on the face. The forefinger of one hand is held above an eyebrow such that it crosses the area between the eyebrows and pointing to the other eyebrow with the rest of the fingers curled into a fist. The other hand is holding up a mobile phone near the head. The second person from the left in the group has the mouth open wide in a mocking grin with eyes wide open. The forefinger of one hand is held above an eyebrow such that it crosses the area between the eyebrows and pointing to the other eyebrow with the rest of the fingers curled into a fist. This is in the opposite direction to the forefinger of the first person on the left in the group. The eye below is hidden behind the fisted hand.This person is wearing earbobs and has the hair in two small ponytails on either side. The third person from the left has the mouth open wide in a laugh with teeth showing prominently and the eyes are closed. The forefinger of one hand is held above an eyebrow such that it crosses the area between the eyebrows and pointing to the other eyebrow with the rest of the fingers curled into a fist. This is in the same direction as the first person on the left in the group. The person on the extreme right has the mouth open wide in anunholy gleeful grin with teeth showing prominently and the eyes are opened wide and rounded. The forefinger of one hand is held above an eyebrow such that it crosses the area between the eyebrows and pointing to the other eyebrow with the rest of the fingers curled into a fist. This is in the same direction as the second person on the left in the group.The hair is parted from the side, falls in waves and is held in place with a hairband. Text: …but then I thought there are so many people in the world. A picture of three people in a vehicle. The person in the foreground is sitting alone near a window with a sad expression on the face and a downturned mouth. One hand is propped up on a cheek. The hair is parted in the middle with one braided pigtail. The eyes are rounded, wide and looking out the side. Outside the window, the road, sidewalk and verge can be seen. There are two people sitting on the seat behind the person in the foreground. Both of them are sitting inclined at a slight angle to each other. The person on the left has the mouth wide open in a smile with teeth prominently seen. The hair is parted on the side and held in place with a hairclip. One hand is holding up a mobile phone between the thumb and forefinger. Both people are looking into the screen. The person on the right of the duo is smiling widely with teeth showing prominently. The hair is in two ponytails on either side. This person is wearing earbobs. Text: …there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. A picture of a person to the right of the panel gazing out through a glass darkly imaging another person is looking in. The person has a sad, contemplative expression on the face and a downturned mouth. One fisted hand is propped up on the jaw. The hair is parted in the middle with one braided pigtail. The eyes are rounded, wide and looking straight ahead. Only the nose, an ear and a braided pigtail of the person on the left are seen. Text: I would imagnie her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Two people are in the panel. The person on the left is sitting on a chair at a round table with a laptop in front. One hand is hovering near the laptop. The person is wearing earbob. The hair is pinned up and held in place with a hairclip. The person has a scarf tied around the neck fashioned like a tie. The person is looking at the person on the right from the corner of the eyes. The person on the right is standing near the roundtable, holding out a brochure to the person on the left. The eyes are rounded, wide and have a pleading look in them. The hair is parted in the center and one braided pigtail is seen. In the background, a television can be seen on a stand. The bottom portion of a cabinet can be seen above the television. A hand can be seen holding up a brochure. The words “HAIRZAP!” is printed on the first line. The second line contains the words “LASER CLINIC.” Below this is a picture of a building surrounded by greenery with a walkway leading to the door. Above the door, the words “HAIR ZAP” are printed. There is a cloud next to the building. Below the picture, the words “HAIR REMOVAL SPECIALISTS” are printed. Two people on the panel. The person on the left is holding a brochure in one hand and looking down into it. The eyes are wide and the eyeballs are at the bottom of the eyes. The hair is pinned up and held with a hairclip. There is a scarf tied around the neckfashioned like a tie. The person on the left is leaning forward with both hands clasped tight under the chin in an attitude of pleading. The mouth is wide open in a pleading grimace with teeth seen prominently. The eyes are closed. The hair is parted in the middle with one braided pigtail seen. A close up picture of a person who has both hands clasped tight under the chin in an attitude of pleading. The mouth is wide open in a pleading grimace with teeth seen prominently. Copious tears are flowing down the face. The hair is parted in the middle with one braided pigtail seen. On the left hand corner of the panel, a part of the brochure being held by a hand can be seen. Two people standing facing each other. The person on the left has a wide smiling look on the face. The person is wearing earbob. The hair is pinned up and held in place with a hairclip. The person has a scarf tied around the neckfashioned like a tie. One hand is holding the brochure while the other hand has the thumb up and the other fingers curled up in a thumb up sign. The person on the right has the mouth wide open in a joyful laugh. The tongue and teeth can be seen prominently. Both hands are raised and held away from the body in joy. The fingers of hand are curled and fisted. A picture of a car being driven on the road with two people in the front seats. The driver is wearing a seatbelt and holding the steering wheel. The driver is wearing a scarf fashioned like a tiearound the neck. The passenger is sitting in front next to the driver looking out the windshield. Picture shows a person sitting in a vehicle turned and facing the window. Eyes are rounded and wide, staring straight out. One hand is holding up a brochure near the face while the other is held up palm facing with the fingers spread in the sign of stop. The panel shows a hand on the right side of the screen touching glass. The left side of the screen shows a hand holding a brochure. The words “HAIRZAP! is printed on the first line. The second line contains the words “LASER CLINIC.” Below this is a picture of a building surrounded by greenery with a walkway leading to the door. Above the door, the words “HAIR ZAP” are printed. There is a cloud next to the building. Below the picture, the words “HAIR REMOVAL SPECIALISTS” are printed. The picture on the outside shows a building with the words “MUSEUM OF ART” written in prominent letters at the top of the building. The entrance to the building shows a few people with the letters “MOA” written above the doorway. The letters “MOA” are prominently displayed in a signage on the side of the building. There is greenery surrounding the building. Clouds are seen above the building to the right. A picture of two people in the front seats of a vehicle. The driver in the background is wearing a seat belt. The driver is wearing earbob, hair is pinned up and held with a hair clip, is wearing a scarf around the neckfashioned like a tie, and is smiling widely. The person in the foreground is sitting turned away from the driver, looking out of the side window. The person has an angry, sulky look on the face. Hair is parted in the center with two braided pigtails on either side. The mouth is downturned. The eyes are semi closed and looking out of the corner of the eyes. One hand is holding a brochure while the other is held up palm facing with the fingers spread in the sign of stop. A caricature of two people. The person on the right is dragging the person on the left by one hand. The person on the right is upright and walking with one foot in front of the other. The hair is pinned up. One hand is held out with the fingers curled. The other hand is holding to the wrist of the person on the left and dragging that person. The person on the left has two braided pigtails hanging. One hand is holding a brochure. This person is being dragged by the wrist. This person is in a semi-reclining position. A picture of a person being dragged by one hand. The person has the legs and lower back on the floor while the torso and head are in semi reclining position. The person is being dragged by the wrist of one hand. The person has a sulky look on the face. The eyes are open and the mouth is open slightly. The hair is parted in the center with one braided pigtail seen. One hand is holding a brochure. The words “MUSEUM ENTRANCE >” is written on the wall in the background. A glass door can be seen to the right of the panel. The hand of the person who is dragging is seen with the fingers curled around the wrist of the person who is being dragged. Text: Grumble, Grumble A picture of two people with one standing slightly behind the other. There is a signage in the background with the words “VISITING EXHIBITS >” to the left of the panel. The person standing behind is looking down at the person in front with a smiling and coaxing expression on the face. The eyes are rounded, opened wide and the eyeballs at the base of the eyes. The hair is put up and held with a hair clip. The person is wearing ear bob. There is a scarf around the neck, fashioned like a tie. One hand is touching the back of the person standing in front. The person in front is hunched over and both arms hanging down loose with an angry look on the face. Eye is narrowed. Hair is braided in a pigtail. Text: Grumble, Grumble A picture of two people standing next to each other. The person on the left has a wide smile on the face. The eyes are rounded, opened wide and the eyeballs at the base of the eyes looking out slightly from the corner of the eyes at the person on the right. The person is wearing a scarf around the neck fashioned like a tie. The person is wearing ear bobs. The hair is put up and held in place with a hair clip. One hand is resting on the hip and the other is touching the back of the person to the right side. The person on the right side is looking down. The hair is parted in the center and braided into two pigtails on either side. The thick eyebrows can be seen going across the forehead without a break. Both the arms are held close to the torso and hanging down. A person looking straight ahead with angry look on the face. The hair is parted in the center and braided into two pigtails on either side. The thick eyebrows can be seen going across the forehead without a break. Both the arms are held close to the torso and hanging down. Text: Well, I hope that if you are out there… A picture of a person’s head and neck – the hair is braided into two pigtails on either side. The wide are wide open, rounded and the eyeballs are slightly to the upper portion of the eye. The thick eyebrows can be seen going across the forehead without a break.There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead.The mouth is open, the tongue can be seen and a couple of teeth. The person has a wide-eyed, solemn look on the face. Text: …and read this and know that, yes, it’s true… The panel depicts two people standing in front of a portrait. The back of both these people are seen. There is a plaque next to the portrait. The person on the left is standing with the arms close to the torso and held in front. The hair is braided into two pigtails on either side. The person on the right has one hand hanging loose and the other near the hip in front. The hair is put up and held by a hair clip. The portrait is a picture of a person surrounded by greenery with vines creeping over the shoulder. There is a bird hanging from the front. There are two large animals on either side at the back. Insects are flying over the head. The person has a solemn look on the face. The eyes are wide open and gazing straight ahead. The eyebrows are thick, arched, and can be seen going across the forehead without a break. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The person has a thin mustache above the mouth on either side. Text: …I’m here The portrait picture is shown in close up in this panel. Vines are seen running over the shoulders. There is greenery surrounding this person. There are two large animals on either side at the back. The person has a solemn look on the face. The eyes are wide open and gazing straight ahead. The eyebrows are thick, arched, and can be seen going across the forehead without a break. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The person has a thin mustache above the mouth on either side. A close up of the portrait picture is shown from the forehead to just below the nose. The eyes are wide open and gazing straight ahead. The eyelashes can be clearly seen. The eyebrows are thick, arched, and can be seen going across the forehead without a break prominently. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The person has a thin mustache below the nose on either side. A picture of a person’s head and neck – the wide are wide open, rounded and the eyeballs are slightly to the upper portion of the eye. The thick eyebrows can be seen going across the forehead without a break. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The mouth is open, the tongue can be seen and also a few teeth. The person has a wide-eyed, wondering,and happily surprised look on the face. The panel shows a portrait gallery. There are three portraits. The words “Frida” can be seen written on the wall facing the panel. The words “Her life & work” are printed below. Other information is printed below this in two paragraphs side by side. The portrait adjacent to this has a plaque next to it. The portrait shows the picture of a person surrounded by greenery with vines creeping over the shoulder. There is a bird hanging from the front. There are two large animals on either side at the back. Insects are flying over the head. The person has a solemn look on the face. The eyes are gazing straight ahead. The eyebrows are thick, arched, and can be seen going across the forehead without a break. The person has a solemn look on the face. There are two people standing facing a wall. The person on the left is standing at a slight angle with the legs spread apart. The person has a slight smile on the face. Both arms are crossed across the chest and the hands under the armpits. The person has the hair swept up and held in place with a hair clip. The person is wearing a scarf fashioned like a tie around the neck. The second person is standing in front of two of the portraits. The mouth is open wide. The person has one leg in the front and the other back in a jaunty walking posture.There is a plaque between the two portraits. The portrait in the middle shows two people sitting. They are surrounded by greenery. They are each holding onto the other with one hand. The person on the left is holding something on the other hand. The person on the right has the hand resting on the thighs. The portrait on the extreme right of the panel shows the picture of a person looking out from an angle. The head, neck, and part of the shoulders are visible. There is a slight smile on the face of the person. The person’s eyebrows are thick and can be seen going across the forehead without a break. There are smaller facial hairs above and below the eyebrows in the center of the forehead. The panel shows a trashcan with the words “TRASH” written prominently on it. There is a brochure with the words “HAIRZAP!” clinging to the mouth of the trashcan. There are two people. Only the legs and a part of the torso of the person on the right can be seen. This person has one hand inside a pocket. The legs are one behind the other in a walking posture. The person on the left has a wide-eyed, smiling, happy look on the face. The hair is braided into two pigtails on either side. Prominent eyebrow can be seen. The person is holding a book with both hands. The word “Frida” can be seen printed on top of the book. The cover picture on top of the books shows a person surrounded by greenery with vines around the shoulders.There is a bird hanging from the front. There are two large animals on either side at the back. Insects are flying over the head. The person has a solemn look on the face. The eyes are gazing straight ahead. The eyebrows are thick, arched, and can be seen going across the forehead without a break. Text: …and I’m just as strange as you. – Frida Kahlo.
Click for the Transcript
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To learn more about this topic, check out:
- 20 Reminders Every Feminist Needs (But No One’s Telling Us)
- Liposuction Didn’t Change My Life, But Body-Positivity Completely Did
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Gavin Aung Than is a cartoonist based in Melbourne, Australia. Gavin launched Zen Pencils at the start of 2012, a cartoon blog which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, and hasn’t looked back since. Zen Pencils has been featured by The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Slate, Mashable, Upworthy, Buzzfeed, Gawker, The A.V. Club, Brain Pickings, Comic Book Resources, News.com.au, ProBlogger and The Design Files. It was named one of the best 100 websites of 2013 by PCMag. The first book collection of Zen Pencils comics was released in October 2014 and debuted on The New York Times bestseller list. You can read the articles or contact Gavin via the PRESS page.
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