Latine Artist, Muralist, Illustrator
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MY WORK
My work follows a quote from local KEXP VJ Gabe Teodros "If a tree can't grow there, I can't grow there" highlighting the struggle of what it means to grow in difficult spaces. My work often depicts nature and animals thriving in the manmade circumstances of their mural sites; industrial areas, urban landscapes, etc. Places where we might overlook the order of nature. I accomplish this by using color fluidly; selecting palettes from the area around me and playfully experimenting with shades, complimentary colors, and my favorite, neons! My figurative work lends itself to the imagination, for example how a wolf would appear in a fantastical technicolor dream. My goal is to always experiment and play with shapes and color, bringing the outside in.
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STORY TIME
Why 179 you ask?
When I was young, I used to go by Angel179 because it sounded cool and sharp, like the NYC graffiti writers of the 80’s. Using my childhood nickname, my friend Mike picked the numbers and all was good in the world of Angel179… Until. Until the world found out Angel179 was a girl. And then I got the infamous “yeah, she’s all right, for a GIRL”. Damn it. I had been found out. The Angel part gave me away. So, I did what the world has always done to underserved and marginalized people, I made the choice to reduce myself to a number, a stat. And people were then again able to see my work for what it was and not the assumption based on my gender, ethnicity, class. Funny how that works.
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PUBLIC ARTIST STATEMENT:
I’m a muralist and teaching artist in Seattle working with the community on public art projects and workshops. My goal is to create safe and beautiful spaces for community members by engaging them in mindful installations. I love working with youth and challenging their brilliant minds to think about their roles within the rapid growth of our city.
My work strives to engage the viewer to be a part of their environment through observation, critique, & participation. I believe community engagement is vital to successful art planning and that art should be accessible to all. My focus is education & leading by example.
biography
My name is Angelina Villalobos Soto, and I go by my artist superhero name, onesevennine. With over 10+ years of experience, I am a Seattle-based Latine muralist, painter, educator, and illustrator.
My passion lies in creating murals that bring life and meaning to the spaces they inhabit. Drawing inspiration from my upbringing as an Americanized Mexican Catholic in the Pacific Northwest, my work beautifully blends elements of graffiti, anime, folklore, and fairytales.
As an artist, I am deeply mindful of how art can positively impact the community. I cherish every opportunity to engage with the community and create vibrant and captivating murals that leave lasting impressions. My ultimate goal is to design safe and beautiful spaces for community members, fostering mindfulness and meaningful connections through my art installations.
One of the aspects I truly love is working with youth, challenging their brilliant minds to consider their roles in the rapid growth of our city. I believe that art has the power to shape perspectives and empower the next generation.
My journey into the world of art began with a pursuit in Graphic Design, but I soon realized that I wanted to create art that extended beyond the boundaries of a computer screen. After working over a decade with Art Primo, an online graffiti supply company, I transitioned from being a part-time artist to dedicating myself fully to mural work.
Driven by my passion, I founded House of the Wolves, named after my last name Villalobos. As a small business, I specialize in creating vibrant murals for a diverse range of clients, including Meta (formerly Facebook), The Seattle Seahawks, Climate Pledge Arena, and The Seattle Kraken.
My artistic vision is guided by a powerful quote from local KEXP VJ Gabe Teodros: "If a tree can't grow there, I can't grow there." I draw attention to the struggle of growth in challenging spaces through my murals, often depicting nature and animals thriving amidst the manmade circumstances of urban sites.
Each of my murals aims to engage viewers to become part of their environment, encouraging observation, critique, and participation. I strongly believe that community engagement is essential for successful art planning and that art should be accessible to all.
Education is a central focus in my work, and I lead by example, showing the transformative power of art. My commitment to creating meaningful art that connects with the community drives my artistic journey.
