Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Ortega.
Hi Karla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my journey of art and craftsmanship in my home country of Colombia, home to many vibrant colors and cultures. Learning from family and friends in the neighborhood, I developed my skills in crocheting and painting from an early age. My father was a music and art professor at the local university while also creating art for local ad agencies, and he spent many hours passing on those skills to my siblings & me. While I spent days and weeks assisting with mural projects for local schools and businesses, a relative suggested that I scale down to bottles. Painted wine bottles became the item I would sell the most, thanks to my brother’s former boss, who asked me to design one for her niece’s wedding. As for crochet and clothing alterations, I was pulled in that direction, just spending time at the homes of extended family. It quickly became a pastime of harmless gossiping, and the skill of crocheting was just a byproduct. After a few years of developing muscle memory, I could crochet a blanket while watching TV or talking with friends and rarely had to look down to check my pattern.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As many artists know, building and sustaining an independent life can be difficult based on income solely earned from your art. Add in marriage with children, and it’s nearly only possible to get noticed with stellar marketing. After some time working in hotels and tourism, my father pushed me to earn a degree in education. This became my career, and my art took a backseat for years. It became a hobby I pursued only when time allowed between changing diapers, helping with homework, and cooking the most incredible meals. I’m still in the beginning stages of an endeavor that could help support our family and maintain my sanity. I truly enjoy painting and fiber work and am never more delighted than seeing someone’s happiness when reacting to something I spent many hours working to create for them.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
While I am skilled with a crochet hook, my zest and passion for life are expressed much better using paints, brushes, and a canvas. In my case, bottles provide a perfect continuous canvas that never ends when rotated. Being able to commemorate life events or special holidays in a truly unique way separates me from others. Spending the extra time to include details such as the setting, time of year, or nuanced facial expressions captures the joy that can provide incredible nostalgia one can reflect upon decades from now. It gives a tangible keepsake or heirloom that later generations will ask about to revive that memory of joining two families.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of the many things that inspired me to pursue the arts was observing my parents and other family members creating handmade vellum birthday party invitations. Numerous stenciling tools, embossing tools, cutting tools, and paints sprinkled throughout our home for weeks leading up to “mi cumpleaños” made me feel proud and important. My mother would stuff and sew ragdolls while my father would hand paint their faces to distribute with carefully created gift baskets. For my parents, aunts, and cousins to spend time creating simple party accessories for my birthday every year, it rushes to the forefront as some of my favorite childhood memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karlacustomcreations.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karla.custom.creations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karla.custom.creations
