COVEDOZA BLOG:

Iliana Galvez

Source: @growmija

Meet Iliana Galvez, widely know on social media as GrowMija. She's a Queer Latinx illustrator, mother and pug whisperer born and raised in the San Fernando Valley currently based in Houston. She started her instagram page @GrowMija as a love letter to her baby sister, Chachis, to show her art that looked like her and to let her know how amazing she is.

I fell in love with Iliana's powerful work when COVEDOZA was just an idea and what she stands for which is unapologetic self-love.

Checkout her interview and her amazing work! Make sure you leave a comment on her blog post to show her some love, sign up to become a Patreon or purchase one of her illustrations.

Interview

For Latin@s in the U.S., identity is complex and varied. Tell us about your Latinx/a/ and/or Hispanic heritage.

I am of Salvadoreña and Mexican, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and currently living in Houston.

What inspires you each day?

I’m inspired by nature and femmes.

How would you describe your work?

Bright, bold and unapologetic.

What experiences have influenced your art?

Colorism, and being first gen.

What would you say to young girls that dream of being an artist or creative like yourself?

I started my instagram page @GrowMija as a love letter to my baby sister, Chachis, to show her art that looked like her and to let her know how amazing she is. Now I want to share my love letter to the world. My message is simple:

✿ YOU ARE WOTHY ✿ YOU ARE WOTHY ✿YOU ARE WOTHY ✿

Worthy of love, worthy of respect, worthy of so much of what this world has to offer.