This is what my life with Long Covid feels like.
I was infected in December 2022, as a fully-vaccinated, relatively-healthy, young-ish adult. I have one of the milder reckonings of Long Covid: I can leave the house (sometimes, only when the weather is mild and pain only moderate) and I can draw (sometimes). I make this art for those of us who cannot.
Post-viral illness is not new, and I am thankful to those who have held lights in the darkness for decades. My Resources Page is full of links to learn from some of those people. Be curious, and please, be even more kind.
Why illmarks?
1. People who know the severity and diversity of LC symptoms tend to take more precautions to avoid infections & help protect others.
2. Many People with Long Covid struggle to articulate the diversity and severity of our symptoms (or to be heard when we do).
Helping those two things (especially number 2) is why I have been using my very limited energy for Illmarks.
While creating these art pieces and managing this website are immensely meaningful to me in reconnecting with my body, I cannot overstate how hard it is to feel so disconnected from the visible parts of the planet’s lack of handling our ongoing pandemic.
I’ve had a couple of People with Long Covid (pwLC) tell me they shared a piece or two from this site with their loved ones who struggle to understand, and that means the world to me.
Recognition:
– Homiens Art Prize: Winner Summer 2024 for ILLMARKS Symptom: Grief, International
– HERALBONY Art Prize 2025, Round 1 Finalist, (Judging Ongoing), International
– LAMINATOR Volume 2 by Artists on the Lam (Upcoming: Summer 2025), International
– This is what it feels like: Artist visualizes Long Covid symptoms by The Sick Times, International
– One Year of the Sick Times Zine by The Sick Times, International
– People Making Creative Projects About ME/CFS by Andrew Gifford, UK
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If you’d like to support me and my work:
Hi, I’m Nyx Mir (fka D Mir.) I don’t include a lot of personal information here, because this art is about and for all of us. However, I am out of work due to Long Covid and could use help, no matter how small. I applied for Social Security Disability aid in February 2024 and am still waiting. While waiting I am not allowed to be employed. Sharing this project & my ko-fi is hugely helpful. Thank you very much.
contact:
email me
(illmarks @ nyx mir . com)
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The greatest trick ever pulled was making people think there was a difference between themselves & those who are at risk.