Born in Mexico and currently residing and working in Los Angeles, Karla Carranza is a contemporary self-taught painter, textile artist, and designer with an academic background in International Relations and Fashion Design. 
How did you get into art?
My first exposure to art was painting with my mother. I was initially drawn to sculpting and recall my first mini sculpture being of the author of the Tao Te Ching, Laozi, in a robe with a cane. My love for sculpting and painting drew me to draping, textiles, painting and texture.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
My style is contemporary, textured, and layered using a variety of techniques to achieve elements of a faux finished interiors look on canvas. My art reflects my deep connection to spirituality and a profound exploration of human experiences. My work is a portrayal of honesty, rawness, exposure, vulnerability, perseverance, love, and the enduring spirit of humanity. It brings vibrant, dynamic, impactful, harmonious energy to a room. 
How do you go about developing your work?
I pray, meditate and talk to myself a lot — seriously, the well-being of my psyche is fundamental for developing anything! For my paintings, handmade textiles, or garments featuring custom free motion stitching, the ideas, inspiration, and techniques come to me, I play, evolve and then that informs the next art piece and so on. 
Who or what influences you?
My work is definitely influenced by what I view in society. The ability to work through ideas and concepts while creating dialogue that is relevant and useful in the world is indispensable; being able to grow as an artist while conscious of how the art might effect or serve others influences my choices.
Make us curious. What are you planning to do next?
I have an upcoming art exhibit on Nov. 16th in Los Angeles with a charitable partner, Mental Health America of Los Angeles, which I am very excited to support.
I’m planning collaborations, more paintings, getting my artwork to an exhibit in New York, interior wall finishes and large-scale textile art are all plans for 2024. 
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