There was a drawing event called Blacktober on twitter back in 2020 where Black artists were invited to create Black versions of characters from pop-culture. I don't typically do a lot of fan art, but at the time I thought it'd be something fun to participate in if I felt like it. And one of the characters I chose to Blackify was San from Princess Mononoke.

Here's a still from the movie I used as my reference:

And here is my Blacktober piece:

I really love the style I drew this in, and it's one of those pieces where I wish I could re-create the illustration style on a more consistent basis (but that would require me to draw people regularly LOL)

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In 2022, I set out to do a personal monthly selfie project where each month I'd take selfies inspired by photos or portraits that I loved/found iconic.

At that time in my life, I deeply loved and appreciated myself and who I was yet I found I still struggled with loving my physical appearance. It had always been one of my biggest demons I was fighting.

I grew up being bullied about my physical appearance, repeatedly told I was ugly (especially by my crushes when I told them how I had felt), and made to feel like I was unattractive and unworthy of romantic connections because I was Black; or that I was only good for being fetishized because I'm a non-white woman and I look *~exotic~* (one word: YUCK 🤢).

I'm in a better place now and far more secure in-and-with-myself, but sometimes those old scars start to hurt. So I thought a project like this would help me further strengthen my self love, appreciate my unique physical beauty more, and give myself the chance to wear some of my favourite wardrobe pieces that hardly ever see the light of day! 😋

And for October of 2022's selfie, in the spirit of Halloween I immediately knew I wanted to recreate San from Princess Mononoke's outfit. But in true Shirley Fashion, I wanted to make it more me and in my style as if I were the one who got to be the princess of the wolves.

Following some DIY tutorials, I made the mask, fur cape, the necklace, dagger, and some hair accessories. And I wore a dress and gladiator sandals I already had in my wardrobe to complete the 'fit. Took me a few months to make everything, but I did it by my October deadline!

Probably one of my favourite personal projects I've ever done, and I'm so proud of and pleased with myself! This piece turned out incredible, and I love looking back at these pictures remembering how empowered I felt.

In the end, my 2022 selfie project wound up being a big personal success! I accomplished my goal of loving my physical appearance more, and healing those wounds that were inflicted upon me by others.

All of my past hurts and feelings of unworthiness; ugliness; self-hate; and the racist Euro-centric beauty standards that people and culture have tried (and failed) to force onto me no longer have any semblance of power over me—Shirley—the Queen of the Wolves.

"I'm not afraid to die. I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest."