We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonah Leahy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonah below.
Jonah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Creating an inclusive storytelling class has been the most meaningful project I have worked on so far. During my time in art school, I noticed that my professors were hesitant to move beyond Disney or Pixar’s easily digestible style. However, nowadays, stories that genuinely represent all types of people have the most impact. I saw a gap in the traditional art education system, as well as the lack of outside resources, and decided to address this issue. Through interviewing individuals from various parts of the world, the class teaches Artists of Privilege how to tell heartfelt stories from an empathetic and accurate perspective, regardless of their background.
The class is still in development, but if you’d like to know more or are interested in lending your voice, I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at jotheastronaut@gmail.com and I’ll share what I can!
Jonah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jonah Leahy, but most people call me Jo. I’m an illustrator and concept artist based in Portland, Oregon, and I’m passionate about creating inclusive media that reflects and celebrates the diversity of our world. My most recent role was working as a Background Layout and Paint artist on an unreleased TV pilot.
As a transgender man, I know how important it is for everyone to see themselves represented in movies, games, and shows. That’s why I’m dedicated to advocating for inclusive character design, environments, and prop design. I believe that by broadening our perspectives and challenging stereotypes, we can create media that is more welcoming, engaging, and empowering for all.
In addition to my visual work, I also take pride in educating both emerging and tenured artists on how to reinvent stale traditions based on “tried and true” methods that leave many behind. Currently in development, this free, accessible resource focuses on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in animation, gaming, and film from the point of view of the people directly involved.
When I’m not working, I love running tabletop games for my friends, contributing to zines and anthologies, and spending time with my kitty, Johannes Kepler (yes, named after the scientist).
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is telling real stories that include everyone. As a queer trans person who now benefits from white male privilege, my perspective is, yes, one in a million but I have the unique perspective of being able to listen to the stories of my peers and uplifting them to those who might not have listened before. I want to make a difference, even if it’s simply allowing others to be heard
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
As the media industry is increasingly relying on algorithms to replace humanity, it is important to recognize that the reason stories resonate with us is because of the human connection we feel with the storytellers. In a world where profit often takes priority over creativity, it is crucial to remember that authentic and compelling storytelling requires a human touch. The same recycled narratives and intellectual properties are often used to generate profits for the ultra-rich, but we should not forget that it is the unique voice of a human storyteller that truly captivates an audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joleahy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_theastronaut/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahleahy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jo_theastronaut
Image Credits
Jonah Leahy