Carrie Fisher
October 21, 1956 — December 27, 2016
I was blown away by Star Wars. For me, Princess Leia was a strong role model in the tradition of Emma Peel. Tuppence. Or Eowyn.
This is one of the drawings I did for Canektion, my first venture in self publishing (circa 1978).
Later, as someone who barely scraped through High School HomeEc, I sewed myself into a kickass Princess Leia costume for the Sheridan College Media Arts Hallowe’en Party in 1979. Unfortunately, I had to seam rip my way out of it, so the costume didn’t survive, but sadder still, I have no photographs. I know there were a few in that year’s M.A.D.N.E.S.S., but unfortunately, after the Media Arts department insisted students leave our M.A.D.N.E.S.S. media in it’s care, Sheridan neglected to hang onto any of that material. :(
Carrie Fisher was much more than an actress, but it was her strength as Princess Leia that left such a strong impression on me as a young woman. I would have loved the opportunity to have had a coffee with her, to have a chance to tell her how her portrayal of bravery and honour influenced me, and maybe even helped me become a stronger, or even better person.
I am sad she’s gone; my condolences to those she’s left behind.