Pray for Me Zine Release
is a love letter documenting my murals and community partnerships. Please enjoy!
Jump into my 20+ year journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration through my 12-page zine. Get lost in the themes of identity, spirituality, and societal reflection woven into my figurative art, all set to a killer playlist that's the heartbeat of this experience. From the stories behind the drawings to the beats that inspired them, it's all here, laid bare for you to vibe with.
I began creating these illustrations without any specific plan; they just flowed from my mind onto paper. Even now, I find myself revisiting this artistic expression, as it has become a constant in my life. Initially, these portraits served as a form of meditation, allowing me to quiet my mind and contemplate the complexities of the world around me.
At the time, I was a recent 21-year-old, navigating the transition from high school to pursuing an Associate of Arts degree while immersing myself in graphic design studies. These illustrations remained a staple in my creative journey until 2018, when I transitioned to painting canvases and eventually murals. As my artistic style evolved, I moved from being what I call a "line artist" to one who embraces the use of color to convey movement and emotion.
Recently, I've begun merging these two approaches in my latest painting, "Life, Death, and Everything In-Between," using color layering to enhance the detail in my line work. The tools of my trade have also transformed, with microns and mechanical pencils giving way to spray paint and an Apple Pencil.
Growing up, I faced discouragement and societal expectations that conflicted with my passion for art. Despite being told I wouldn't graduate on time and pressured to conform to traditional gender roles, art remained my sanctuary—a means of processing the world and reclaiming my identity. Incorporating elements of armor and Catholic iconography, alongside influences from Greek mythology, each illustration became a reflection of the roles imposed upon me by family, society, and myself.
The culmination of this journey is represented in my latest illustration, created for the empowering organization Shout Your Abortion, featured in the zine style via risograph printing. Embracing a DIY aesthetic was essential, capturing the raw authenticity of my artistic process. Special thanks to Risolve for the printing and Sarra Scherb for editing my words. Below is the SYA illustration I titled “La Rosa” and part of her accompanying text.
La Rosa
This is the last illustration I created in this series, which came years later. It was commissioned for a special organization called Shout Your Abortion. One thing I've learned from being Catholic my whole life is that we are excellent at teaching shame, and we are also really good at creating large families, whether we want to or not. Growing up, I was told that I needed to marry a Mexican man, have lots of Mexican babies, and take care of him, the home, all those babies, and my relatives. When we consider the expectations for women in our families – to model selflessness like the Virgin did and also go to work – I don't remember Mary having a 9-5. What verse was that in? My line in the sand was finally drawn when I realized that, if we were to do all of these things, we should at least be in charge of what happens to our bodies. This led me to think even deeper about Mary; if she was a virgin, she wasn't prepared to have a child, and the forced pregnancy turned her into a martyr of impossible-to-achieve standards for women. Abstinence does not, in fact, work as Catholicism teaches. But the major reflection is where my value lies within culture, patriarchy, and family, aside from my ability to give birth. At this point in my life, I was still undecided about whether I wanted to have children of my own.
Originally conceived in 2019, self-doubt led me to shelve this project temporarily. However, inspired by the completion of my coloring book, Color Your Way Through Seattle with 179 ," I recommitted to sharing these personal reflections with the world. Utilizing my own handwriting for titles and details, I aimed to forge a connection between the reader and my younger self.
Accompanying these illustrations is a curated playlist, reflecting the diverse and spirited nature of the artwork. Featuring a mix of country, folk, electronic, and Latin dance music, all created by women, the playlist embodies the essence of the femme spirit—playful, spicy, and vulnerable. Whether you find yourself crying, singing, or dancing along, the goal is to evoke emotion and introduce listeners to new artists.
There's no prescribed order for listening; I encourage you to hit shuffle and let the music guide your experience.
I hope you find joy in this zine and connect with the sentiments behind each illustration. You can purchase your copy below. Sending love and gratitude for joining me on this journey.
With Passion and paint,
Angelina 179 Villalobos
🌟 Introducing my 20+ year journey through self-reflection and identity exploration in my zine! 🌟
Step into my world where figurative drawings serve as mirrors reflecting my evolving understanding of faith, culture, and society. Dive deep into a blend of anime, Western comics, Ukiyo-e, and graffiti styles, merging hot sauces to music, fairy tales to Chicano art.
Meet the central figures adorned in armor, kimonos, or tunics—symbols of the armor women wear to survive. Among them, Germbot stands as a dynamic presence, embodying various personas from Jesus to fairy tale characters.
Explore with me as I navigate themes of spirituality, lineage, and self-discovery, capturing the ever-evolving journey of being the black sheep, the Xicana, the first-generation daughter, and the seeker of truth.
Read more about the process on my blog: Pray for Me Zine Release
Join me in this intimate exploration, where each image tells a story—a glimpse into my diary of spiritual evolution and the complexity of identity. 🖤✨ #IdentityJourney #ZineLaunch #SelfReflection
🎨 Printed on 12-pages of French Construction Paper in Insulation Pink using Risograph, adding a tactile depth to this personal odyssey. 🌸✨
Details:
Zine Size 5"x8"
12-Pages
Comes with 2x 179 Stickers
Hand-signed and numbered
