Brecken Bird creates self-portraits as a way of exploring identity, self-expression, and perception. She makes sets and costumes and dresses in character, performing the lead role in a dramatic tragedy. Her characters are alter-egos that she uses as vehicles to explore different elements of self through an allegorical lens. They include: A mermaid who dreams of flying, a sick vampire in search of wellness, a wise witch who heals and helps her coven, and a mischievous fairy that can reflect the desires of others. While playing these roles she can express her hopes and fears about achieving lifelong dreams, struggling with mental and physical health, perfectionism, and personal relationships. She documents these performances through photographic images that she reproduces using the cyanotype printing process. She also uses her photos as references for pastel and charcoal drawings, where her goal is to balance reality with fantasy, and show the viewer a mythological story with a grain of truth.