The Root
Art Technique: digital illustration
Internal Poison
Art Technique: digital illustration
A Tree Taking Shape
Art Technique: digital illustration
Artist’s Statement
“The Root” deals with having a chronic illness and how what happens under the surface can manifest above ground. In current society, medical mysteries are treated as surface level without an underlying cause, especially in illnesses that are considered to be “invisible.”
“Internal Poison” uses Nicotiana glauca, otherwise known as “Tree Tobacco,” the paralyzation is visually manifested to show the feeling that gastroparesis has on the gastrointestinal system.
“A Tree Taking Shape” is an illustration made in response to the pain from developing scoliosis and other spine-related injuries, becoming weak and unable to hold up oneself. Using their x-ray, Kate took inspiration from Salix babylonica f. tortuosa, the “Corkscrew Willow Tree.” Corkscrew Willows are brittle and weak; they bend and contort in different ways. There is an emphasis in lack of support, physically and emotionally.
Kate Attison (she/they), under the alias of “squiddbubbles,” is an eclectic illustrator with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome who uses traditional and digital mediums. She has been drawing for over 12 years and became chronically ill in college and had to make their craft more accessible to themselves. She experimented with newfound chronic illness pains and the emotions that came with them to create a new form of artwork she had never experienced before.
Instagram: @squiddbubbles
Bluesky: @squiddbubbles.bsky.social