Hi there, I’m Shelly (or in a arty way Shellyfish) — a beginner artist working in photography, comics, and music. Queerness is a vital aspect of who I am. As a trans and non-binary person who is pansexual and polyamorous—and as someone living with ADHD—I view society and life in general with an acute sensitivity to discrimination. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Practice Research in Social Work and Education.

What I do

in Photography

I use analog black-and-white techniques to tell stories of transience and the beauty that lies within it. And indeed, analog color photography can shift reality and capture it with a tasteful, emotional view.

Black-and-white photography can blur our sense of time. What belongs to the past, and what is the present? Through its limitations of what can be shown and perceived, black-and-white photography transports us into a kind of infinity of moments. Analog colour film really does give me a whole toolbox of “alternate realities.” Each stock has its own chemistry, grain structure, and base palette, so simply swapping rolls can change not just the look but the emotional reading of the same scene.

with Comics

Comics allow me to reflect on and engage with my surroundings, giving me the space to express emotions, desires, and experiences that might otherwise be inaccessible to me.

Comic art offers me a playful means of exploring life events and stories entrusted to me, serving both biographical and therapeutic purposes. My friends have told me they enjoy my drawings, so I’ve decided to share them with the world—to empower others and myself.

and the meaning of Digital

I’m a passionate advocate for free and open-source software and a staunch defender of personal privacy.

Guided by these principles, I approach internet use ethically and dedicate myself to promoting digital justice and narrowing the widening digital divide.

in Music

Creating music has long been a personal ambition of mine. At present, I’m content playing simple sheet music on my electric piano, ukulele, guitar, and banjo.

With all of these tools, my sole aim is to produce one of my favorite genres myself—lofi. To do this, I use a small AKAI Mini 3 and Ableton as my music software.

Academically

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Practice Research in Social Work and Education.

I’m intrigued by participatory photographic methods (like photovoice, photomapping) — similar to those pioneered by Jane Addams — and their potential to involve people directly in the research process.

You can visit me here on https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shelly-Proehl