This Day in History: Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United Sates. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
We’re celebrating Pride month on Tumblr with a series of interviews from celebrities and artists, asking them about expression, identity, and art. Today’s dose of queer Pride comes from writer and illustrator Ludi Leiva (@ludileiva).
How do you express yourself on a day-to-day basis?
By starting each morning with three pages of free writing. By giving myself permission to doodle just because. Not for anyone, just for myself and I’m learning the idea that my worth isn’t rooted in how much money I make.
What is the relationship between your art and your identity?
My identity and my art are inextricably linked…you can’t really divorce one from the other. My art and my creative process is a way for me to learn more about myself; To tease apart my identity and to heal.
What advice would you give your younger self about exploring your identity?
Not worry about pleasing people all the time, not worry about societal expectations, and to listen to her intuition. If I had learned that sooner, I think I would have had a different life.
What about you, Tumblr? How does your identity guide your art? Let your followers know in a post. Tag it #TumblrPride so it’s easily found by the community. Need inspiration? Follow @ludileiva for more beautiful illustrations.
