Me As I Am

from €320.00


Rooted in the vibrant strength of Shellena Bleecke—a multidisciplinary cultural maker and storyteller—this portrait is a visual meditation on complexity, resistance, and authenticity. Guided by our interview, the painting reflects Shellena’s grounding in selfhood and her defiance of narrow categorization.

The bold reds and yellows echo her Surinamese heritage, while the draped, mesh-like garment symbolizes fluidity and her spiritual connection to her heritage. Open spaces in the portrait reveal layered textures beneath the surface, representing Shanella's belief that people often “miss everything in between.” These openings invite the viewer to look deeper, beyond labels, into the layered truths of being.

Sharp brushstrokes and visible texture retain the piece’s rawness, speaking to her quote:

“I’m a whole-ass person.”

It’s not a polished version of queerness, but an honest one—fierce, poetic, grounded. This is Shanella, as she is.


“Me As I Am” is part of my ‘More Than a Label” collection. This limited edition fine art print is produced on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm, ensuring museum-quality texture and longevity. Each print comes signed, numbered, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity

FINE ART PRINT ON HAHNEMÜHLE
PHOTO RAG - ARCHIVAL PAPER
1 of 3 EDITIONS
2025

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Rooted in the vibrant strength of Shellena Bleecke—a multidisciplinary cultural maker and storyteller—this portrait is a visual meditation on complexity, resistance, and authenticity. Guided by our interview, the painting reflects Shellena’s grounding in selfhood and her defiance of narrow categorization.

The bold reds and yellows echo her Surinamese heritage, while the draped, mesh-like garment symbolizes fluidity and her spiritual connection to her heritage. Open spaces in the portrait reveal layered textures beneath the surface, representing Shanella's belief that people often “miss everything in between.” These openings invite the viewer to look deeper, beyond labels, into the layered truths of being.

Sharp brushstrokes and visible texture retain the piece’s rawness, speaking to her quote:

“I’m a whole-ass person.”

It’s not a polished version of queerness, but an honest one—fierce, poetic, grounded. This is Shanella, as she is.


“Me As I Am” is part of my ‘More Than a Label” collection. This limited edition fine art print is produced on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm, ensuring museum-quality texture and longevity. Each print comes signed, numbered, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity

FINE ART PRINT ON HAHNEMÜHLE
PHOTO RAG - ARCHIVAL PAPER
1 of 3 EDITIONS
2025

 

  • This is an original digital fine art creation, developed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag archival paper. This choice ensures exceptional quality and longevity for each artwork, with the paper itself offering a life expectancy of several hundred years.

    The distinction between a standard print and a fine art print, particularly in my work, lies in the treatment of the digital medium. I approach the digital canvas with the same dedication as a traditional one, employing various brush strokes, tools, and techniques to enhance depth and fully explore the creative possibilities of digital art. As an acrylic artist, I incorporate acrylic elements into my digital creations and often finish them with oils, spray paint, markers, and specialised brushes. This process adds depth, dimension, and layering, bringing each piece to life.

    • Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm

    • Edition sizes: Studio (30), Gallery (25), Collector’s (10)

    • Dimensions:

      • Gallery — 50 × 70 cm / 19.6 × 27.5 in

      • Collector’s — 70 × 100 cm / 27.5 × 39.3 in

    • Weight:

      • Rolled in tube: ~250g

      • Framed: 1–3kg depending on size

    • Calucated at checkout

    • Carbon neutral, sustainable production, packaging and shipping

    • Global delivery with tracked & insured shipping

  • Prices include VAT; shipping added separately

 
 

More Than a Label
the series

More Than a Label” is a visual exploration of identity and a celebration of queer individuals in their full humanity. Each painting in this collection was inspired by interviews with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, reflecting not just their queerness, but the rich layers of their wholesome selves, in a way that honors their truth.

 

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