Despite many aspects of symbolism, surrealism and magical realism, Frida Kahlo thought her paintings to be realistic. She did not paint dreams, she painted reality. Frida survived much in her life, polio as a child, a terrible bus accident that left her in a full-body cast, a turbulent marriage, and political persecution.
It seems appropriate then that her art has heralded many people into a folk art following of Frida's paintings. People respect the ironic nature of her still life pieces and the speculative reflection of her self-portraits. Maybe it's these layered aspects of Kahlo's folk art that makes her so popular in the altered art movement. (Don't know what altered art is? Check out eBay or Etsy.com)