“Drawing women and nature has always come naturally, it seems whenever I start to draw feminine figures tend to come out first.”
SOULDEGA: What is your artistic background? what led you to explore digital art?
LUDI: I’ve always been an artist, but it took me a long time to embrace it. I've worked in a creative capacity during most of my career, as a journalist and writer who has penned a lot of creative nonfiction pieces, essays, and the like. But really, something sparked in me when I started giving myself the space to take illustration seriously. I always drew, since I was very young. I filled up countless notebooks with my doodles and teachers probably thought I was never paying attention because I was always drawing in the margins of my notes. But a few years ago I got an opportunity to do my first paid illustration project and that was really the first time I saw a glimpse of what my life could look like if I let myself pursue it more seriously. Digital art has become my main focus, I have an iPad Pro and mostly use Procreate and that's made it easy because of how portable it is (and because I tend to move around a lot). That said, I am focusing on also working with more analog mediums this year, diving back into painting, textile works, and also experimenting with embroidery. Hopefully painting some murals, too.
SOULDEGA: We love how you incorporate women, plants and NYC in your illustrations. How did this form of storytelling begin for you?
LUDI: Drawing women and nature has always come naturally, it seems whenever I start to draw feminine figures tend to come out first. Using art as a way to celebrate women is a form of healing for me, especially in a world where we are often objectified and commodified. I guess it also stems from a desire to better understand my own place in the world, too.
SOULDEGA: Generally you use a lot of vibrant colors in your work. What inspires your color palate when creating?
LUDI: My color palette just comes to me, usually after sketching out a piece. I don't really plan it out I just go with the flow and sometimes tweak later. I love working with vivid colors, but honestly my artistic practice is an ever-evolving thing and I'm always open to trying new things and experimenting!
SOULDEGA: We came across your #artonlink installation and was mesmerized. How has this experience of having your work seen in open, public spaces been for you?
LUDI: It's been really wonderful and such an honor. Having so many people—both friends and strangers—sending me photos or sharing how the work has impacted them, or even just put a smile on their face on a shitty day, has meant so much to me. I think it's every artist's hope that their work will resonate with and touch others in some way, so this has been really special because I've gotten to see how #ArtonLink has connected with so many New Yorkers.
SOULDEGA: Where all have you showcased your women with plants series? also, What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
LUDI: I created this series for LinkNYC, so this is the first time it's showing. That said, I'm going to be selling prints of the series on my online shop which is going to be up in the next couple of weeks. I'm also looking to partner with shops and boutiques in the City to sell postcards and prints of this series. In the near future, I'll also have some editorial illustrations coming out in some magazines, some collaborations with brands, and will also have a show in early April, which I don't have full details for yet but will share on my Instagram when I do!
SOULDEGA: Lastly, do you have any hidden talents outside of illustrating you can share with us?
LUDI: Ooh, this is a good question. I guess not many people know that I sing and play guitar since I don't really post about it, but that's another of my artistic practices. Also, I love languages and am currently learning my fourth—German!
