Lilit Martirosyan Illustrator

ABOUT

This is a speculative cover illustration for New Scientist magazine based on their article "We may finally know why psychological stress worsens gut inflammation".

The article tells about the connection between the human brain and the gut wellbeing scientifically proving that psychological stress directly affects our intestine.

In this illustration I chose a human experience perspective, showing the girl tangled in her stress, hence in her gut. I used intense reds to express pain and danger.

I chose this article for a reason. Being an Ulcerative Colitis patient myself, I wanted to share my own experiences with the situation. In my life I've had multiple flare ups because of loosing temper or emotional, stressful situations, going through a painful character transformation, which I'm still on the path of. On this journey I also learned that the same mechanism applies both ways, our positive feelings and thoughts can calm the inflammation and heal. I have physically felt that our organism is alive and supremely responsive. After doing this illustration every time I encounter with stress it's easier for me to hold back because I have a visual image of what's happening.

With this illustration I wanted to show the pain but more importantly invite the attention to track what we think and feel, understanding how it affects us. This is a support shout out to the UC patients. Healthcare advancements are crucial, but there is something powerful that is under our control _ our character, our response to life.

MADEIT CREDITS

  • Speculative work for New ScientistClient

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