We’re so excited to see our project expanding to promote new-to-us creators with diverse styles and subjects. Today we are proud to share the gorgeous work of Ashley Bravin, a disabled artist and advocate with multiple chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS. Ashley was born and raised in southern California, and has studied both at Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Burren College of Art in County Clare, Ireland, graduating with a BFA in painting and drawing.
In her words: “My name is Ashley, and I’m an artist, disability advocate, multiple chronic illness warrior and service dog handler. Art has always been my lifelong passion, and my way to process the world around me (and also as a temporary escape from my pain and symptoms).
My ME/CFS journey was long, and complicated, as I had multiple other conflicting conditions, but I did have a situation familiar to many – doctors who did not believe my pain was legitimate given my young age. First, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (which runs on my mother’s side), and only when my pain was so severe and treatment resistant (to multiple aggressive treatments and medications), and I had escalated to an academic medical field was I taken seriously and finally assessed to have ME/CFS. Since then, I have been learning to pace myself, adjusting my diet, and coordinating with online communities and a select few trusted doctors to try and keep my flares to a minimum.
My service dog Rosie (and my service dog in training, Rico) help me tremendously with keeping my pain in check by providing extra support and letting me know when I’m pushing it too far. I am very grateful for having them, my family, and my partner in my life for support.
Most of my art focuses on the natural world. With a background in scientific illustration, I love to paint plants and animals, and I especially love to go out in nature and paint my surroundings. Before my illnesses were so severe, I was an avid hiker and camper and would often document my trips into nature. I still do, just on a smaller scale.
I’m thrilled to share my art with you, expand the ME/CFS community, and support ME/CFS research.”
Check out her beautiful wildlife illustrations (love those skulls!), original drawings all for sale at her storefront. Her personal website ashleybravin.net also has some intriguing work, including her recent 31 dogs in 31 days project.