When you love what you do it transcends anything you put your mind and energy to, and when it comes from the heart it has the potential to touch somebody else’s heart. This connection defines the “why” in my passion for painting.
-Karla
If it’s your first time here allow me to introduce myself, my name is Karla Preciado. I was born and raised in Tijuana Mexico, but beautiful San Diego has become my home now.
Through my art practice I’ve come to realize that I associate lively saturated colors with happiness. I was exposed to a culture of fiesta growing up and perhaps this viewpoint of my Mexican Heritage leads to my fascination with color.
I infuse my paintings with soul, vulnerability, self-expression and emotion in hopes that it connects on a deeper level with the art lover. Conveying a sense of joy and optimism is always at the heart of my paintings.
“Karla is at the peak of her game. A natural talent who has put in the time to hone her skills that you can count on as she continues to create an exceptional body of work. As far as abstract artists go, she’s the real deal!”
— Patric Stillman. Gallery Owner, The Studio Door
How I work
My approach in creating art, whether representational or abstract, is to work in multiple pieces at a time, color play intuitively and let the painting develop and flow with its own energy, at its own pace and without being forced to be something that it doesn’t want to be.
Through organic brushstrokes and love of color I let my sense of curiosity and exploration guide me visually and emotionally, a painting not only has to “look” good, but it has to “feel” good to me.
Developing pieces with acrylic layers, mixed media, a rich color palette and subtle texture, not only gives a painting depth and visual interest but I invite the viewer to linger a little bit longer to find the small undiscovered details that can’t be seen at first glance.
Being a bit of a perfectionist allows me to hone my paintings until I am completely satisfied that I cannot add or subtract anything else that will enhance the piece. At this time, I declare a painting done.
Select Exhibitions.
Artwalk Little Italy Art fair -Featured Artist- San Diego, CA. 2026
Artwalk Carlsbad Art Fair, Carlsbad, CA. 2025
“Beyond The Horizon” Solo Art Exhibition F1VEart Studio & Gallery. San Diego, CA. 2025
“Nature Abstracted” Solo Art Exhibition F1VEArt Studio & Gallery. San Diego, CA. 2024
Artwalk Liberty Station Art Fair, San Diego, CA. 2024
“Optional Paths: San Diego Watercolor Society, San Diego, CA. 2024
“Where The Fun Is” Membership Show. San Diego Watercolor Society. San Diego CA. 2023
January-June. Select Work Gallery Representation at “The Studio Door” San Diego CA. 2023
“Deck the Walls” Annual Mentorship Exhibition - Ashton Gallery, San Diego CA. 2022
Blackout National Show - Ashton Gallery, San Diego CA. 2022
Arte por la Paz - Virtual charity exhibition for Fondo Para la Paz. Mexico 2022
Art of the Real - Art Partnership Municipal Gallery. Escondido CA. 2022
Flora and Fauna - Art Partnership Municipal Gallery, Escondido, CA. 2021
Raining Cats and Dogs - Asthon Gallery, San Diego, CA. 2021
Sharing The Light - Artlita Gallery, San Diego, CA. 2020
Face it Embrace it -Honorable Mention The Front Arte y Cultura, virtual Exhibit. 2020
Quarantine - Aquamarine Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA. 2020
Naturals and Neutrals - Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA. 2020
Contrast - Art Houz Gallery, San Diego, CA. 2019
Hope and Freedom - Centro Cultural de la Raza, San Diego, CA. 2018
Group Exhibit - Palacio Municipal Castillo de Luna, Spain. 2008
Press Coverage
Patch local news Read Interview April 2026
Times of San Diego Read Interview April 2026
SD Voyager Magazine Read Interview January 2026
Pages and Canvas Website Read Interview October 2024
Univision “Despierta San Diego” Watch Interview August 2024
