Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karla-Maria Campbell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Karla-Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Being an professional artist is not without its challenges, but I can say with certainty that I am happier in this career path than any other jobs I’ve ever had. I love being able to prove to myself that I have the determination, grit, smarts and self-motivation required to purse my art as a career.
On the days when I think about having a regular job, its mostly because I am missing the predictability of the day, a routine and steady income. Some months there are more inquires, jobs and interest in what I am making but when that is not the case, my mind can drift back into the predictability of a 9-5.
But I always come back to the same conclusion: I love the freedom and flexibility of carving my own path in my creative career. I am also a mom to two young boys and this is a huge driving factor in me staying in this path. I want to be present in these critical first years and have the ability to show up for them when they need me. I was wish for them to see their mother as a driven creative entrepreneur and know that it is a viable career option.
Karla-Maria, 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?
I would consider myself a very multifaceted person- wife, mother, second generation immigrant, creative, passionate…these are all identities that I carry into my artistic practice, in the intersection of art, culture and community. My business Karla-Maria Creativo specializes in illustration and design with an emphasis on brand asset illustration, murals and a Latin-inspired stationery line celebrating the experiences of second-generation immigrants—those of us who often find ourselves navigating between two cultures.
My journey into art was far from traditional. As a child of immigrants, I was encouraged to focus on academic success, so pursuing a creative path felt risky at first. But during my first maternity leave, I rediscovered my love of doodling and found digital illustration as a way to reconnect with my roots and voice. What began as a passion project quickly grew into a small business with a big mission: to create art that helps people—especially first- and second-generation immigrants—feel seen, celebrated, and proud of who they are.
I offer custom illustrations, murals, and hand-lettered designs that often blend bold colours, playful shapes, and cultural motifs like papel picado and florals. My work is both joyful and meaningful—it’s meant to spark conversations about identity, belonging, and the beauty of diversity. Whether I’m painting a public mural, designing a product for my stationery line, or creating a digital portrait, my goal is always to bring warmth, representation, and connection into the spaces my art touches.
What sets my work apart is its heart and intentionality. Every piece I create carries a story—sometimes mine, sometimes my client’s, but always one that aims to celebrate culture, family, and resilience. I’m proud of how far I’ve come as a self-taught artist and small business owner, and even prouder that my art has found its way into homes, businesses, and communities that value creativity and representation.
At the core of everything I do is community. I believe art has the power to bring people together, to remind us of our shared humanity, and to make our everyday spaces brighter. I hope that when people encounter my work, they not only see colour and joy—but also themselves reflected back.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I started my creative business on a whim. When I first started, I was home on maternity leave with my first child, discovering my love for digital illustration. This was my way to staying true to my creativity and having an outlet for myself during a new season of life. I can say that this hobby was anchor for me in many ways. When I began to share my art on social media and gaining a following, I realized that this hobby could turn into a business idea. My previous career and education had nothing to do with art, so starting an art business being self taught and having no business experience, all while being a new mom felt incredibly risky. But something inside was pushing me to take this risk. Every day since making this decision to turn my creative hobby into a business has been a challenge but I have never given up. I thankfully now am running a successful art business and love what I do.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Some of my closest family and friends still don’t fully understand my decision to be a full-time creative, and I take so many of these opinions to heart because I know they mean well. For many of them, the definition of success means financial stability, job security, tenure, etc… So for many non-creatives, to take a path where I am creating my own opportunities, putting myself out there with my art and taking the creative leap can seem irresponsible and risky. However, if there is anything that this journey as a creative has taught me is that I am incredibly resourceful, determined and a hard-worker. I have learned so many valuable lessons as a entrepreneur as well as gained many skills along the way. My passion has driven me to become relentless in my pursuit of this career and has made me a better and well-rounded person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karlamariacreativo.com
- Instagram: @karlamariacreativo
- Facebook: @karlamariacreativo
Image Credits
@arianadelmundo Ariana Del Mundo Photography
@cmbacaphoto Mariana Baca