Vanessa Mercedes Harriss | “Autoimmune”

Vanessa Mercedes Harriss

Autoimmune

Oil 

Art gives me a way to cope with the mortality my Systemic Lupus Erythematosus diagnosis made me face. When I think about my body attacking itself, it can bring on feelings of self-loathing and when I get to paint I don’t think about my illness, unless I’m specifically addressing it. I get to ignore my mortality in those moments and I feel untouched by disease.