Cecilia Galoppo

I’ve been seeing lots of new faces around here lately, Hello! Nice to meet you :) I’m Cecilia, or Chechu. I’m an illustrator and teacher in love with nature, color, and the tactile quality of materials. This is a space where I share my process, ideas, sketches, projects… and a bit of behind-the-scenes chaos too. I’m currently working independently and organizing meetups and color workshops at @tonolab.berlin a beautiful project I co-created with @eva_marina_burckhardt 🌈 If my work resonates with you, feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to roll up my sleeves and make something incredible together! In my bio you’ll find the link to my portfolio with my favorite projects, plus more info about me and Tonolab. Now, since we’re curious creatures, here are a few things about me: ✨I was born in Patagonia, surrounded by nature, cold, and strong winds. Later I moved to Buenos Aires, where I grew up and studied. ✨Now I live in Berlin with my partner and our cat Ugis, once again surrounded by nature, cold, and strong winds. ✨I studied Graphic Design at UBA, and just before moving to Berlin I completed the first year of the Professional Illustration Postgraduate program there. ✨I took illustration workshops that were key to my work today. The one that opened this world for me was with Mirian Luchetto, and then I spent 7 years learning from Silvia Mato, my great mentor. I just can say a huge thank you ❤️‍🔥 ✨I discovered my love for teaching while giving my favorite subject (Morphology) at UBA for 6 years, and later in Design Lab I & II at Di Tella. ✨I worked for several years in advertising as a graphic designer until I finally took the leap to draw more! ✨I was a coordinator at Diseño Sin Fines de Lucro, a project that connects students with NGOs. I’m still looking for ways to help build a better world using the tools I have. If you have a social or community project, I’m here💪 ✨Cooking is my love language, even more so since moving far from home. ✨I’m a proud polenta fan! Thanks for being here, supporting my art, and sending so much love! 💖 And thank you my dear Mela from @_che_berlin for this beautiful pictures 🥰

My heart is bursting with excitement ❤️‍🔥 this illustration, which I hold so close to my heart, made it to the WIA shortlist and I still can’t believe it! I’m honestly speechles, don’t know what to say, other than thank you. Thank you to the judges for seeing something special in this project, one that’s as analog as it is personal. This recognition means the world to me; it’s such a push to keep betting on what brings me joy, and a reminder that this kind of experimental process has a place in these competitions. @worldillustrationawards @dirillustration @theaoi Thank you to @hallo.flore for inviting me to be part of this beautiful project and for trusting my work. Thank you to my friends here for the support and the network, for encouraging me to submit my work, and above all, for the afternoons filled with drawing and good food 🧉🥐 And to the ones far away, who always find a way to stay close and send warmth. To my family and to Jo, for the constant support and for all the recipes, old and new, but always with love. And to everyone who’s been sending so much love these days. Gracias Gracias Gracias ❤️ And if you’re dreaming up a project that needs a restless pencil and a whole lot of heart, reach out! I’m sure we can make something beautiful together! #wia2025 #worldillustrationawards #wia2025shortlist #migration #nest #cookingismylovelanguage #familyrecipes #home ES en comentarios 🤍

🫀🍄🌿 . . . . #illustration #illustrationartists #ilustracion #body #nature #natureza

Hello there, long time no see 🍃🎨 We wanted to pass by and say a big, huge thank you from the heart here. We thought long and hard about it, and have decided together to close this chapter. This project gave us so much, learnings, fun, new beautiful people, discoveries and growth. Thank you to all the friends that supported us in this journey, with every flyer shared, every reference and the best advice and company. 🫶 Thank you to all the people that came and make it happen, that learnt with us, that created a wonderfull atmosphere, that dare to explore and play, and trusted our work. We feel like a cicle is closing and we need to grab our energy and focus on our personal projects. Thank you, Gracias, Dankeschön again We hope to see you around! ✨ You can keep in touch with us to see whats next in our personal instagrams @chechugaloppo & @eva_marina_burckhardt

Happy Book Day! 📚💙 A magical creature, a noble friend and spectacular object. . An illustration that’s a bit old now, but one I really enjoyed creating and never posted here. When I think of books, the first image that springs to mind is a very young version of myself, curled up in bed pretending to be asleep. When all the lights went out, I’d take out a 101 Dalmatians torch I had on my bedside table and read for a little while longer without anyone noticing. Perhaps that’s why, when creating this image, the first thing I thought of was fireflies (which I also used to see very often as a child in the square) and books as those magical, winged creatures that carry us off to so many worlds at night. Today I still read before bed, and on the bus during the day, and on the ubahn, and on planes and in waiting rooms; sometimes I even carve out a little nook for myself on the sofa. They always transport me, calm me down, feed my ideas, and bring me closer to nerdy and wonderful people ✨ . Thank you, books 💙 Happy World Book Day to everyone who makes them possible and brings them to the shelves! ——————————— Feliz día del libro 📘💖 Criatura mágica, fruto noble y espectacular. . Una ilus ya viejita pero que disfruté mucho hacer y nunca subí por acá. Pienso en los libros y la primer imagen que me viene a la cabeza es una versión muy chica de mi misma, acurrucada en la cama fingiendo estar dormida. Cuando se apagaban todas las luces, sacaba una linterna de 101 dálmatas que tenía en la mesita de luz y leía un ratito más sin que nadie se diera cuenta. Quizá por eso al hacer esta imagen lo primero que pensé es en las luciérnagas, que también veía muy seguido cuando era chica en la plaza, y en los libros como esas criaturas mágicas y aladas que nos llevan en la noche a tantos mundos. Hoy sigo leyendo antes de dormir, y en el bondi de día, y en el subte, y en los aviones y las salas de espera, a veces hasta me armo un rinconcito en el sillón. Siempre me transportan, me bajan mil cambios, me alimentan las ideas, me acercan a personas nerdas y hermosas 🤓 . Gracias libros 💖 Feliz día a todos los que los hacen posibles y los arriman a los estantes.

Dibujar para mí es el puente más hermoso. . De chica era muy muy tímida, y muchas veces el dibujo era mi forma de interactuar, de hacer amigos nuevos sin tener que hablar mucho, de tirar un montón de papeles en el piso con lápices y pasar una tarde entera, de pronto charlando sin darme cuenta, abriendo mi mundo y conociendo los de otros. Hoy para mí el dibujo sigue siendo mi forma de entender el mundo, de conectar con otros, y conmigo también. Sigue siendo también mi juego preferido y mi excusa favorita para conocer gente. . En pocas horas llego a Bolonia con una mochila llena de papeles, postales, ropa de lluvia y mucha mucha MANIJA! Y todavía no me lo creo! . Si andas por ahí escribime, charlemos, tomémonos un helado o un cafecito y conectemos. Que juntos podemos darle forma a las ideas y hacer que crezcan 🌱✨ . Nos vemos allá . . EN . For me, drawing is the most beautiful bridge. . When I was a little girl, I was very, very shy, and drawing was often my way of interacting, of making new friends without having to say much, it was just about preparing a pile of paper on the floor with pencils and spending a whole afternoon there, suddenly chatting without realising it, opening up my world and getting to know others’. Today, drawing is still my way of understanding the world, of connecting with others, and with myself too. It’s still my favourite playground and my favourite excuse to meet people. . In a few hours I’ll be arriving in Bologna with a rucksack full of paper, postcards, rainwear and lots and lots of MANIJA! And I still can’t believe it! . If you’re around, drop me a text, let’s have a chat, grab a gelato or a coffee and connect. Together we can give form to ideas and make them grow 🌱✨ . See you there

Gemeinsam mit Open Hearts Space verabschieden wir uns von einem weiteren gemeinsamen Jahr. Ein weiteres Jahr voller Begegnungen. Kleine, bei denen nur die Wände zuhören, aber auch große, bei denen man nicht weiß, wo man zuerst sein soll. Ein weiteres Jahr voller gemeinsamer Erlebnisse – mit schmerzenden Wangen vom Lachen, aber auch mit Augen, die fragen, wie sie für dich da sein können. Es war ein Jahr mit vielen neuen Beziehungen, aber auch mit vielen schwierigen Abschieden. Es war ein weiteres Jahr mit verschiedenen Arten des Zusammenseins. Was möchten wir euch wünschen? Genau das. In Freude, in Einsamkeit, in der Schönheit und der Traurigkeit dessen, was die Welt uns bringt – menschliche Präsenz, Gemeinschaft und Arme, auf die man sich stützen kann. Als Open Hearts Space werden wir im neuen Jahr mit all unseren Tischen, die viele von euch so gut kennen, auf euch warten. Tische mit Essen, Tische mit Kunst, Tische mit Kerzen, Tische, die offen sind für neue Menschen und ihre Geschichten. Wir sehen uns ❤️ —— Together with Open Hearts Space, we bid farewell to another year together. Another year filled with encounters. Small ones where only the walls listen, but also big ones where you don’t know where to be first. Another year full of shared experiences - cheeks aching from laughter, but also eyes asking how they can be there for you. This was a year of many new relationships, but also many difficult goodbyes. It was another year of different ways of being together. What do we want to wish you? Just that. In joy, in solitude, in the beauty and sadness of what the world brings us - human presence, community presence, and arms to lean on. As Open Hearts Space, we will be waiting for you in the new year with all our tables that many of you know so well. Tables with food, tables with art, tables with candles, tables that are open to new people and their stories. See you ❤️

Nur noch wenige da & nur noch kurze Zeit! ⏰🥰✨ Schaut euch unsere fantastische Community an, die die Fundraiser-Totes trägt, gestaltet mit 5 Berliner Künstler*innen rund um Zuhause & Zugehörigkeit. Jede Tote unterstützt den Open Art Space, wo wir zusammen kreativ sind, uns vernetzen und Gemeinschaft leben. Die Fundraiser endet am 15. Dezember, also sichert euch noch schnell euer Stück, bevor sie weg sind! 🛍️ Shop über den Link in der Bio. // Limited stock, last days! ⏰🥰✨ Check out our fantastic community members rocking the fundraiser totes, created together with 5 Berlin-based artists to celebrate home and belonging. Each tote supports Open Art Space, where we create, connect, and grow as a community. The campaign ends on December 15th, so don’t miss your chance to get one before they’re gone! 🛍️ Shop via link in bio.

Heute stellen wir euch Chechu vor, eine der Künstler*innen hinter unserer limitierten Fundraiser-Kollektion! ✨🥰 @chechugaloppo Ihr Design zeigt ihre eigene Idee von Zuhause und Zugehörigkeit, und unterstützt Open Art Space. Entdeckt ihr Design + shoppt die Kollektion über den Link in unserer Bio. 💛 // Today we’re introducing Chechu, one of the artists behind our limited-edition fundraiser . Her design reflects her own idea of home and belonging, and supports Open Art Space. Discover her design + shop the collection via the link in bio. 💛

Meet the Makers: @tonolab.berlin 🎨🌈
We’re so excited to welcome TonoLab Berlin to the Local Zine & Bookmakers Fair this Sunday, July 13 at Vagabund Kesselhaus! TonoLab is a Color Laboratory run by @chechugaloppo & @eva_marina_burckhardt — two color specialists who share knowledge through playful, mindful color exploration. Their work bridges visual experimentation and sensory awareness, offering a fresh take on creative process. Come say hi, browse their zines and prints, and chat about color, perception, and process 💭💡 And while you’re there — don’t miss the lineup of hands-on workshops, including zinemaking and crossword creation!
🎟️ Tickets are limited & offered on a sliding scale (€8–30) — secure your spot now via the link in the bio! 📍 Sunday, July 13 🕛 12:00–18:00 🌿 Multiple floors + outdoor biergarten 💬 Talks, food pop-up, open decks & more #berlinpoetry #berlinbookmarket #bookfair #berlinevents #supportlocalprint #youngpoetics #queerpoetry #independentpublishing #poetrycommunity #zineculture #selfpublishing #berlinwriters #poetryzine #zines

I’m so so happy to share that my illustration Feeling Closer to home made it to the longlist of the World Illustration Awards 2025💖✨ @TheAOI @DirIllustration & @WorldIllustrationAwards . Big thanks to the judges for this honor 💙 500 hundred out of 4700 entries had been selected from 85 countries, and I can’t believe I’m surrounded with such amazing talented colleagues!! Go check all the entries, they are gorgeous ❤️‍🔥 . Thank you @florfreis for inviting me to think about how we build nests away from home, and to my dear Berliner friends for being an inspiration and the best company always 🧉🥐 . And especially to my mom and abu Reneé for teaching me this love language, for always answering with a detailed audio or an old handwritten recipe to help me bring you closer, and asking the next day how it went ❤️🏡 . . Estoy que no caigo de contenta y me muero de ganas de compartir las buenas nuevas 😍❤️‍🔥 Este año mi ilustración fue seleccionada en la longlist de los World Illustration Awards y estoy que salto por todos lados! . Gracias flore por invitarme a formar parte de un proyecto hermoso y empujarme a pensar en cómo construimos hogar lejos de casa, en las cosas simples de todos los días🪹✨ Gracias a mis amigas de acá por el amor y las juntadas de dibujo que siempre me dejan con más ganas de seguir haciendo (y comiendo y cocinando cosas ricas también!) Y gracias especialmente a mi mamá y abuela @marisaforginieri @reneeosesqui por enseñarme que todas las comidas salen más ricas con el ingrediente secreto ❤️ y por compartirme las mil recetas para traerme un pedacito de casa cada vez que los extraño. Este dibujo lo hice pensando mucho en ustedes. Fe de erratas: papá también!! @marcelogaloppo sin vos las empanadas y las lasagnas no saldrían igual ❤️ . Gracias gracias gracias ❤️💙 . . #wia2025 #worldillustrationawards #wia2025longlist #migration #migrante #cookingismylovelanguage #familyrecipies #home #casa #hogar #homesick

Una ilus que surgió en una tarde de dibujo con amigas, uno de esos refugios que construímos para pasar el invierno berlinés. Comiendo alfajorcitos, tomando mate, pensando en esos otros refugios que construímos y como de a pedacitos y en las cosas más simples traemos el hogar acá ❤️🪹 . Este original fue parte de Nido Migrante, una muestra colectiva hermosa curada por @florfreis en @bardo_projektraum junto con las ilus de amigas muy queridas, poesía, instalaciones y música. Gracias por hacerme parte ❤️‍🔥 . . . An illo that emerged in an afternoon of drawing with friends, one of those shelters we built to spend the Berlin winter. Eating alfajores, drinking mate, thinking about those other shelters we built and how in small things and in the simplest we bring home here 💙🏡 . This original artwork was part of Nido Migrante, a beautiful collective show curated by @florfreis at @bardo_projektraum together with the illus of dear friends, poetry, installations and music. Thanks for making me part of it ❤️‍🔥