Chronic Cuties Illustration Series

About this artwork

My "Chronic Cuties" illustrations are part of my “The Horrors Persist” collection. It explores grief, absurdity, hope, perseverance and taking back the ability to define yourself as a person living with disabilities and chronic conditions or illnesses. Each doll was created with various levels of detail and accessorizing. This is intentional–some days it’s a put-together outfit, hair and makeup done, you’ve got “spoons” to spare…other days it’s pajamas, a dark room, isolation, earplugs and a heating pad. I used the same base model for every doll because we all have the same basic structure, but disabilities and chronic conditions can affect the way we are able to exist within our communities. Some of the dolls look similar to humans, others can be interpreted as being outside the “norm,” the way those of us with disabilities are often categorized within society. The titles of the pieces in this collection are a combination of popular internet meme phrases that describe the disability experience, and ones specific to the disability community. I’ve left the shaky lines that come about as a result of the tremors I experience from having a TBI and nerve damage. Living with disabilities and chronic conditions can feel like a living nightmare at times, and it’s an experience that exists outside of mainstream society, similar to the goth and punk scenes which inspired the vibe of these illustrations. I hope that this collection will encourage conversations and a greater sense of empathy from its viewers. In keeping with my commitment to sustainability, many of them are displayed in secondhand frames, further emphasizing that there is value in what many people discard or overlook, just like disabled individuals.