Fleurette Elia and Tanja Pleis
The Story
Fleurette Elia
Chicago, IL
Social Media: @fleuretteelia
Breast cancer survivor
Twist on Cancer: Four months before COVID took over and shut everything down, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It stole my body and turned it into a body I didn't know or trust anymore. It let me down. I had to rebuild myself, mentally and physically, after the disruption that is cancer. I'm finally getting a glimpse of the strength and fire I used to possess. It has created created a new and improved me that know cancer CAN'T AND WON'T defeat me. It tried, trust me on that. And I stood strong. I endured and persevered and all the other descriptive words that people use to describe this. But it came at a cost. I don't look like the old me. This is the 2.0 version. New and improved.
Social Media: @fleuretteelia
Breast cancer survivor
Twist on Cancer: Four months before COVID took over and shut everything down, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It stole my body and turned it into a body I didn't know or trust anymore. It let me down. I had to rebuild myself, mentally and physically, after the disruption that is cancer. I'm finally getting a glimpse of the strength and fire I used to possess. It has created created a new and improved me that know cancer CAN'T AND WON'T defeat me. It tried, trust me on that. And I stood strong. I endured and persevered and all the other descriptive words that people use to describe this. But it came at a cost. I don't look like the old me. This is the 2.0 version. New and improved.
Tanja Pleis
Chicago, IL
Website: www.tanjapleisphotography.com
Social Media: @tanjapleisphotography
“Awakening”
Photography
20” x 30” x 1.2”
$898
Artist Statement: Energetic, strong, spiritual, lively, and on a path to redefine herself after her journey with breast cancer. Those were my first thoughts when I met Fleurette. Her diagnosis came shortly before the world shut down due to Covid but she didn’t allow Covid nor cancer to shut HER down. If cancer was a person, Fleurette would punch it in the face. While she is one of the strongest and most resilient persons I know, she also shared how the cancer treatment has affected her body, her hair growth, and with that her body image and feeling of self worth. She is on a journey of reconnecting with herself and her tattoo of steel magnolias is a reminder of perseverance, fortitude and femininity. I wanted to photograph her in a setting that shows her spiritual journey after cancer and that is a reflection of the strength that lies within her. Just like a phoenix rising, she gracefully strides through the dark forest, grounded and one with nature, soaked in a beam of sunlight. It’s Fleurette’s time to rise and shine.
Website: www.tanjapleisphotography.com
Social Media: @tanjapleisphotography
“Awakening”
Photography
20” x 30” x 1.2”
$898
Artist Statement: Energetic, strong, spiritual, lively, and on a path to redefine herself after her journey with breast cancer. Those were my first thoughts when I met Fleurette. Her diagnosis came shortly before the world shut down due to Covid but she didn’t allow Covid nor cancer to shut HER down. If cancer was a person, Fleurette would punch it in the face. While she is one of the strongest and most resilient persons I know, she also shared how the cancer treatment has affected her body, her hair growth, and with that her body image and feeling of self worth. She is on a journey of reconnecting with herself and her tattoo of steel magnolias is a reminder of perseverance, fortitude and femininity. I wanted to photograph her in a setting that shows her spiritual journey after cancer and that is a reflection of the strength that lies within her. Just like a phoenix rising, she gracefully strides through the dark forest, grounded and one with nature, soaked in a beam of sunlight. It’s Fleurette’s time to rise and shine.