Moments captured in 3D miniature by Lisa Swerling. Est 2004.
On set with my squad of Frida Kahlos, before each went into her own Glass Cathedral.
On set with my squad of Frida Kahlos, before each went into her own Glass Cathedral.

Projects /

Flower Boxes

Uniquely painted flower box portraits2013 ongoing

Behind the Scenes

Flower Boxes: Behind the Scenes
I decided to have a bit of fun photographing this squad of Frida Kahlos together, before packing them off, each into their own Glass Cathedral.
Flower Boxes: Behind the Scenes
I created a set with garden furniture, cut flowers from the garden and various bejeweled items of clothing from the impractical side of my wardrobe.
Flower Boxes: Behind the Scenes
The only flowers that really flourish under my care, are the ones I ignore (and, hydrangeas!). These pink beauties grow practically all year round.
Flower Boxes: Behind the Scenes
I do consider my tiny figurines to have, in some sense, life, especially the ones I customize to look like actual people. So it’s especially fun for me to catch them ‘unawares’.
Flower Boxes: Behind the Scenes
This bejewelled backdrop is a sari I bought in Jaipur, India in 2014.

In all her finery

The story begins in Sayulita, Mexico, where I spent a long hot summer in 2013.  There I made my first Frida Kahlo Glass Cathedral portraits, inspired by the cultural heritage, folk art, colors and flowers of Mexico. For me (and I admit, I am easily seduced by a vintage sequined blouse or a swirling skirt), Frida’s extraordinary life force was as much communicated through her choice of dress and ornamentation as her art.

When I’m creating Frida’s tiny outfits, I look through my boxes of treasures and ephemera as if through the eyes of a 3/4 inch Frida Kahlo, and imagine the delight she would have felt.

A single piece of glitter becomes a pendant, a scrap of golden thread a belt, a broken sequin becomes a headdress and a torn strip of tape becomes a beautifully creased full-length skirt.

I visited the exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s outfits at her home “Casa Azul” in Mexico City in 2018 and 2019, and read that when Frida arrived in a new place, she’d often make such a jingly jangly sparkly colorful first impression that the local children would think the circus had come to town!

Win a Frida en Rosa Glass Cathedral

Competition now closed. The winner was Penny Noble in the UK.

Frida en Rosa was my first Frida-flower Glass Cathedral, made in Sayulita, Mexico in 2013. I’d saved her for myself, but now you can win this artwork (worth £890, fancy that) in a free raffle.

Entry is free, anyone can enter the raffle by filling in the form below (just one per person).

Bonus! Get your friends to enter, to give you bonus entries. Btw don’t tell them in this form, do it by email / text / over a chilled glass of Prosecco, and ask them to put your name in this referral box when they fill it out themselves.

• The winner will be announced on instagram and by newsletter on September 14th 2025. My birthday!
• Shipping is free to winners in the UK and US, but outside of that the winner will have to pay for shipping.

• There may be customs payable on receipt, winner will be responsible for that.

Flower Boxes: Win a Frida en Rosa Glass Cathedral

The collection (All Frida Kahlo Glass Cathedrals have been sold)

Beautiful PlanetBeautiful PlanetProtea, 2020 Frida en AzulFrida en AzulHydrangea, 2020 Frida en BlancaFrida en BlancaWhite Flower, 2013 Frida en Blanca IIFrida en Blanca IIWhite Hibiscus, 2013 Frida en FloresFrida en FloresPansies, 2022 Frida en Rosa IFrida en Rosa IFuschia Rose, 2013 Frida en Rosa IIFrida en Rosa IIBlue Hibiscus, 2020 Frida en SalmónFrida en SalmónBlue Hydrangea, 2020 StillnessStillnessProtea and Sweet William, 2020 The MuseThe MuseFrida gallery, 2018