Welcome to the next installation of our relatively new feature “3 of Me,” where we ask one of our favorite self-portrait artists to share 3 of their selfies and answer 3 questions. Today I am so pleased to share my flickr friend Shelly’s work with you. I discovered her beautiful images on flickr last year and simply fell head over heels for her ghostly images and use of motion and blur. I hope you will read on to learn more about Shelly and her work.

1. How long have you been taking self-portraits and what draws you to use yourself as the subject so often?

Some dance to remember, some dance to forget... Hotel California, The Eagles  EXPLORED

Some dance to remember, some dance to forget… Hotel California, The Eagles EXPLORE

I started these self portraits, some time ago, I guess I’m working on my third year. At first I started taking them to become comfortable in front of the camera, but I guess as time continues on I think it’s now more about creating, and learning. I love the stories that unfold in each image. I want to take the viewer into a story, I want to make them feel some sort of emotion, I guess, and finish their own story. Plus it’s fun! I love creating them, my mind almost constantly now dreaming of pictures. I dreamed of becoming an artist, and I think I am becoming one.

2. I recall that we found each other on flickr in part because of our mutual love of Francesca Woodman. Can you share with us how her work has inspired you?

Upside Down,

Upside Down

Francesca Woodman was incredibly brilliant. The motion, the long exposure work she did, blows me away. She was driven by something, to create. Every image produced that I have seen, makes me feel something while I view them.

3. What else inspires you? Your images are works of art–do you have the full concept/title in mind when you begin or does it come along as you shoot and edit?

shelly

“How can you know what you’re capable of if you don’t embrace the unkown?” ― Esmeralda Santiago, Conquistadora

Thank you. When taking pictures I sometimes have an idea what I want to create, but usually because of the motion, the story comes after, when editing.

What else inspires me?  The people who comment on my stream, hugely inspire me. They always have different opinions about what they see in the images, and sometimes, that creates an image for me. Music, life, stories, light, my mirror! So many things really. There are so many stories told, and not yet told.

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Shelly, thanks a bunch for joining us here today! I’m such a big fan of your work and your storytelling and am so happy to share you with our readers here at Mortal Muses. And now it’s my turn to share three of my favorites from your gallery of selfies. It was so hard to choose just three…

“When you reach the end of what you should know, you will be at the beginning of what you should sense.”  ― Kahlil Gibran

“When you reach the end of what you should know, you will be at the beginning of what you should sense.” ― Kahlil Gibran

I can hear you dreaming~

I can hear you dreaming~

“If you listen quietly enough life will whisper its secrets to you”  ― Rasheed Ogunlaru

“If you listen quietly enough life will whisper its secrets to you” ― Rasheed Ogunlaru

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Shelly was born and raised in a big city in Ontario, and now lives in the middle of nowhere, near abandoned homes she calls her playgrounds. You can find more of her amazing work in her photostream on flickr.

If you would like to be considered for a “3 of Me” feature, please email us at mortalmuses9@gmail.com or contact us here.

Until next time!

Christy | Urban Muser