Today we’d like to introduce you to Graciela (aka Animalitoland) Goncalves Da Silva
Hi Graciela (aka Animalitoland), so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Drawing has always been my gateway to a deeper life experience. As a teenager in Argentina, before widespread internet access, my love for comics and anime led me to a park in Buenos Aires where people exchanged these materials. There, I found not only inspiration but also connections that broadened my perspective and sparked my desire to explore the world beyond my hometown.
In 1999, I bought my first digital pen and began experimenting, which led me to study graphic design and work as a designer and illustrator. Those countless hours at the computer shaped my relationship with color, with every hue just a click away. After a decade, I craved a more tangible connection and started painting freely in the streets, a transformative shift that involved getting my hands dirty, talking with neighbors, and feeling the sun on my face.
By 2014, I traded a balanced life of stable work, meaningful friendships, and cultural immersion for the uncharted territory of full-time art career, beginning with a move to Europe. The next decade was intense: I traveled the world, painted over 60 murals, and left my work in cities across the globe. Street art brought diverse experiences, from painting quick, unauthorized pieces in the dark to tackling massive buildings and speaking at conferences about my process. I also embraced more reflective moments, preparing solo exhibitions like the one at Swinton Gallery in Madrid and speaking at events like Pictoplasma in Berlin. Along the way, I received unexpected recognition, with my work featured in books like Lonely Planet’s “Street Art” and “Street Art by Women” by Hoaki Press.
Once again, I traded stability for adventure, this time moving to North America. I started in Canada, but during the pandemic, I relocated to Argentina and then the U.S. These transitions, in such chaotic times, brought both challenges and growth. While I thrived on the energy of travel, the pace took a toll on my physical and emotional health. Now, I’m shifting from the hunger and excitement of constant adventure to a quieter, more introspective phase. L.A. is an unusual choice for this moment, but its vibrant artistic scene draws me in. I take pleasure in visiting and collaborating with galleries I’ve admired for years, like Thinkspace. I’m savoring studio time and taking smaller steps as I await a clearer vision of what comes next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growing up in an emotionally unstable family in a volatile country set a baseline of stress that’s hard to shake. I learned to normalize chaos and inequality, and art became my refuge, helping me stay grounded. Despite my love for art, I studied graphic design for its practicality. This was a choice driven by survival.
Argentina is a country with a strong European influence, yet shaped by the challenges of the developing world. This paradox taught me to dream big while navigating limited resources. It wasn’t until I left that I fully understood this tension, which remains a source of both pride and sadness. Adopting a nomadic lifestyle only added complexity, as I adapted to new cultures and unexpected challenges, learning to find stability in constant change.
This adaptability became vital for international public art projects, where unpredictability is the norm: local materials, crazy weather, cultural nuances, and street incidents. Yet somehow, everything has to come together within the rigid constraints of fixed schedules and return tickets.
Relocating to the U.S. has been my hardest move yet, from dealing with dystopian bureaucracy to breaking through social barriers. Patience and persistence have been essential, but every challenge has deepened my self-awareness and understanding of the world. I’m constantly peeling back layers of limiting beliefs, only to uncover new ones. Getting lost often leads me to where I need to be, yet my need for structure still clashes with my free-spirited nature.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create characters that reveal emotions often felt, but rarely acknowledged. While painting from imagination, I incorporate elements of reality, such as light rendering, blending graphic and three-dimensional aspects. My background in design and animation adds a storytelling dimension to each piece. I use composition and color to guide the viewer’s eye, crafting a dynamic visual experience. My creative process begins with raw scribbles that gradually evolve into more structured forms. I often use digital tools to define and compose these elements, giving me the flexibility to experiment and clarify the piece’s direction before transitioning to the final medium.
Conceptually, I translate fleeting emotions into visual language, relying on intuition to guide me. I interview the characters as I draw them, and they reply by directing my hand. I enjoy these conversations as if actual words were being spoken. What I appreciate most about this process is the emotional connection it inspires. People frequently share that my art resonates with feelings they hadn’t known how to express or even recognize. It’s this emotional depth I aim to capture, creating moments that help us feel at home within ourselves.
My nomadic life has also profoundly influenced my style, blending global inspirations with a personal touch that reflects my unique perspective. Whether painting murals across the world or creating in the studio, I tell stories that feel universal yet deeply personal.
What makes you happy?
It makes me happy to stumble upon unexpected treasures hidden in plain sight. Learning to see through different lenses to find them fuels my life’s quest. Connection -through shared stories, playing, or moments of mutual understanding- is a source of delight. I consider all these connections a form of art, and they happen anywhere: in cities, nature, in the small, ordinary moments we stop to notice. On a simpler level, enjoying fresh air, a bit of sun, or sharing a peaceful silence with a loved one brings me peace. I also find pure joy in the primal moments of play with my dog, and spontaneous dance. Immersing myself in new experiences continuously inspire me, often leading me to my next idea or story to tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.animalitoland.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalitoland/
Image Credits
06Mural_HelpEachother: Photo by ColorWayofLove, Shanghai 2018
08Mural_Presence: Photo by Steff Love, Vancouver 2020
