Conversations with Leilauni Acevedo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leilauni Acevedo.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always enjoyed drawing ever since I could hold a crayon and always been considered the “art kid” in the family. Growing up all around Los Angeles has been a blessing to me as an illustrator; I’ve been exposed to all forms of art and surrounded by my creative family. My family have always been extremely supportive of my artistic endeavors, so naturally I kept on creating. During high school was when I started taking my talent seriously and applied for art colleges. I got into ArtCenter College of Design and recently graduated in spring with a BFA in Fine Art! My approach to illustration has completely changed from when I started college. I mainly drew digitally, a lot of fan art, but now I am experimental as ever! I’ve taken up sewing and I love the process of analog work. Having access to new tools and software has been beneficial to my artistic approach, even I don’t know what I’m going to make next. I embrace my eclectism and I’m always trying something new, however I still love making fan art.

Now as a multi-disciplinary illustrator, I feel like I’m making stuff that truly satisfies my soul and learning to embrace my voice. For a while, I tried “fitting in” to what I was taught an illustrator should be, but I was never good at “fitting in”. Finding what I enjoy as an artist has also impacted me outside of art. Truly being myself has helped my soul and illustrations. Do what you want, unapologetically!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth road as an artist. For me, it took me a while to figure out what I was doing with my art. Why do I like drawing so much? Am I good enough to pursue this as a career? Do I deserve to be here?

I’ve always dealt with identity issues that extended to my feelings as an artist. I never knew why I felt so out of place all the time. How come everyone else knows what to do, how to act, what to say? I always thought it was a me problem, so I went on living trying my best at everything. When I found out I could draw, I couldn’t stop creating, there was no rules and I felt free. I was also pretty good at it so win-win. Art was an escape from the constant thought that I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t have stellar grades, I’m always anxious, and as a Latinx-American, I don’t speak Spanish. I feel like I’m letting everyone down for being me. Sometimes, these feelings affect me as an artist. During my time in college, I was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Being diagnosed has been life-changing; a relief in some ways but as an adult who’s been undiagnosed most of their life, it’s been rough. Not understanding yourself or the world around you is scary. Since the diagnosis, I am starting to learn what makes me comfortable and my own voice. I believe this boosted my confidence as an artist as well. The struggles of having ASD affect me daily but I’m able to express myself better about these feelings.

I finally see the impact art has had on my life. I see how much I depended on art, my love for it, and my purpose for it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do lots of stuff! Being a multi-disciplinary illustrator, I’m always experimenting with new materials and topics. My go-to’s are digital painting and gouache, but I also enjoy sewing, paper mache, printmaking, woodwork, and sketching. I’ve been drawing digitally since high school, ex. Photoshop, ClipStudio, Procreate, Illustrator, and I like to draw characters. However, I have a certain drive and joy for analog and I’d say my specialty would be my gouache paintings. I’ve developed a technique and style that I’m happy with. I look up to traditional paintings from animated films, ex. Eyvind Earle, Mary Blair, so I like to go for a “classic”, conceptual look to my gouache paintings.

I like to draw about the occult, sciences, and anything nature. They are the most fun to research for and I like finding ways to make a complicated theme to a metaphorical image. Research is also an important factor to my art process; it helps me connect to my topics and I’m able to understand different opinions better. Although with enough research, I can become obsessed with any topic.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’m learning to be more patient with people. Everyone I know has been affected by Covid-19, and it is understandable why people are more tense and angry. I’d like to see more patience and sympathy for one another in this fast-paced world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leilacevedo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limonpepperr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilauni-acevedo/

Image Credits
Headshot: Tzasna Perez Espinosa