We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angelina Villalobos Soto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angelina below.
Angelina, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
My journey as a creative has been an incredible growth experience, encompassing various crucial aspects I never imagined. Each new skill I learn opens up new possibilities, allowing my work to evolve in unexpected directions. The realization that I could be a professional artist came during my Microsoft mural project in Redmond. As I painted, it clicked that not only was I doing what I loved, but that I was specifically invited because of my work. They wanted ME. However, even with the support and encouragement from those around me, it took time for me to fully process the potential of making a living through art. The turning point came during the height of COVID when I made the conscious decision to put myself first, and the universe seemed to open up for me immediately after and I realized I had been the one holding me back. Opportunities flowed after, but now I had the time to really put into the work I loved. Since then I’ve worked with clients like Meta, the Seattle Seahawks, Climate Pledge Arena, and more. I’ve learned the importance of celebrating my achievements and taking time to appreciate how far I’ve come rather than always looking for the next opportunity. You’re more fulfilled with this mindset.
Community played a significant role in my success. I believe in sharing the spotlight and supporting fellow artists, leading to fruitful partnerships and collaborations. Word-of-mouth has been the primary source of clients, and I’m grateful for the strong network I’ve built.
As my business grew, I faced challenges in finding an effective system to manage different stages of my progress. Tracking milestones has helped me assess the help I need at various points. For instance, hiring a bookkeeper revolutionized my finances, allowing me to focus on being a creative without getting overwhelmed by administrative tasks.
Control has been a challenging aspect to navigate, as I’ve had to learn to invest in services that free me from tasks that could hinder my creative potential. Hiring a Virtual Assistant was a significant step in this direction, enabling efficient email management and client onboarding.
Each checkpoint I reach in my journey brings me closer to where I aspire to be in life, and that is truly empowering. Reflecting on my progress and learning from every step has been invaluable. I think a lot of people have similar struggles in terms of not having the skills needed modeled to them growing up to run businesses. My father was from Mexico and worked in the fields. We lived in rentals, never owning a home. And no one talked about retirement funds or savings. These skills I had to learn while doing. Looking back, if I could offer myself advice, it would be to embrace the support of others sooner and to trust that investing in the right services can enhance my creative process and overall success.
Angelina, 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 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 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. 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.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
As a creative business owner, my journey holds a unique aspect that may be difficult for non-creatives to comprehend fully—the boundless nature of creative energy. Unlike a switch I can flip on at any time, creativity flourishes in moments of rest, inspiration-seeking, and natural flow. Balancing the demands of running a business while nurturing this creative essence is a delicate dance. In creative fields, the product is an extension of myself, and it’s essential for me to be mindful not to lose too much of my essence in the process. What once began as a passionate pursuit has now evolved into my job, which sometimes makes it challenging to return to the part of art-making for the sake of art rather than what Capitalism would have me believe, which every piece needs to be marketable and therefore sellable. Building a business from the ground up means wearing different hats each day. Trusting myself and making decisions without a clear roadmap can be daunting, but it’s also liberating. There are no fixed rules or accredited courses to follow in my creative journey, and even if I were to share my experiences, they would undoubtedly differ from those of other artists. Pretty much everything I create has never existed in the world so who’s to say it’s wrong? It either works or it doesn’t. And if it doesn’t, I just try a different way.
The learning process has also been like Frankenstein’s creation, piecing together knowledge from various sources and disciplines. It’s essential to recognize that I can’t do everything myself and that it’s okay to seek help from other professionals who can alleviate some of the workload, allowing me to focus on being creative. If I stop producing art and being inspired, then the work stops. Therefore my mental health is just as important as the actual artwork itself.
Letting go of the need for total control has been a challenge, but in doing so, I’ve come to appreciate the power of collaboration and community. Surrounding myself with supportive individuals who understand and uplift each other is the backbone of my creative journey. Together, we shine, grow, and create something greater than ourselves, making the path forward compassionate, hopeful, and full of endless possibilities for the creatives that will come after me.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most gratifying aspect for me is the realization that I am living my dream. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or frustrated, I remind myself that this is precisely what I’ve always aspired to achieve. It’s the culmination of all the hard work and dedication I’ve poured into my craft, and that thought fills me with hope and inspiration. At times, it can be daunting to venture into uncharted territory, creating something that has never been done before. During such moments, I find solace in embracing the uncertainty. It’s okay to have doubts, but I have to remind myself that I am charting new paths and writing my own unique story. I have to be gentle with myself and grant the grace to make mistakes, knowing that every misstep is an opportunity to learn and grow.
In this creative journey, self-criticism can sometimes creep in, but I’ve come to understand the importance of not being too harsh on myself. Instead, I choose to embrace self-compassion, understanding that it is essential to nurture my creativity and well-being. Just as our bodies are our best friends, I aim to treat myself with kindness, allowing room for growth, learning, and the beautiful evolution of my creative expression.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angelinavillalobos.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/onesevennine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/179ers
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onesevennine
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/179s
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWGQDrfvodYG6RD3-g2brKw
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onesevennine Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/onesevennine/
Image Credits
Lani Lee, Christian Daw, Mikayla Neves, +Russ, Wise Knave,