I didn’t exactly grow up thinking I’d be an artist. It sort of found me—unexpectedly—during my first maternity leave, of all times. I was planning our wedding (because why not pile on life milestones?) and started hand-lettering our invitations and making little illustrated signs for the big day. There was something so joyful in it—almost meditative, really. And without even realizing it, I started doing the same for other brides. That’s when I got my first taste of what it could mean to be a creative entrepreneur, though I didn’t have the words for it back then.

After our wedding, we moved and I found myself in this tiny Northern Ontario town, figuring out motherhood in an unfamiliar place. Traditional art supplies weren’t exactly practical with a baby around, so I grabbed my iPad and started teaching myself digital illustration. I took online courses during nap times. Practised late into the night. bit by bit, I started finding my artistic voice.

The turning point came when my cousin asked me to design her digital wedding invite. From there, things snowballed. I started taking on commissions—portraits, pets, weddings, memorials, homes—and for a while, that was my world. But eventually, I felt the pull to scale things up. I didn’t just want to create one piece at a time—I wanted to build something bigger. Literally.

That shift happened while I was developing my first collection of paper goods. Something clicked. Growing up as a first-generation immigrant in Canada, I didn’t often see designs that reflected my Salvadoran roots—at least, not in a way that felt joyful or bold. There was this quiet gap, this sense of “I love where I come from, but I don’t see it anywhere.” So, I started creating the work I wish I had growing up.

With every design, I try to capture the vibrant energy of Latin American culture—the colour, the rhythm, the warmth. The messy, beautiful, real parts of living between cultures. Whether it’s a window mural, a sticker, or a print, I want it to feel like home for someone else, too.

These days, I’m focused on creating art that shows up in a bigger way: murals, brand collaborations, and projects that make space for cultural pride in public places. Work that doesn’t just hang on a wall—it is the wall.

From my home studio, I’m still dreaming big—thinking about books, growing my product line, and bringing joyful, inclusive artwork into more spaces that need it.

This business has grown up with me. Three city moves. As second beautiful baby. A pandemic. And a whole lot of questioning along the way. In 2023, I finally registered my business—saying a full, slightly nervous, but very real yes to this path I’ve carved for years.

Karla-Maria Creativo isn’t just a brand. It’s a celebration. A reflection of life in-between languages, cultures, and expectations. It’s storytelling, it’s identity, and it’s my way of helping people feel seen—because I think we all deserve that.

Thanks for being here. I hope you see sparks of joy, comfort, or a quiet reminder that there’s room for your story, too.