Meet Karly Ann Razo: Artist, Writer, Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karly Ann Razo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karly Ann, what’s your definition for success?
I think I would define success as being happy with oneself and ones accomplishments and contributions. Knowing that you are who you were meant to be. Your most authentic self. And knowing that, at the end of the day, you’ve loved, and have done your part in spreading that love. Being okay with your best.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am a visual artist, writer and musician. I produce a lot of hand drawn illustrations, a lot of which depict religious imagery. I tend toward using a very old school pen and ink type of style reminiscent of the illustrators of old (circa 1800s era) with an emphasis on line work. Lots of black, but I’ve been getting more into color now. Rainbows are definitely my jam. I think my use of so much black, choice in style, and the fact that I keep things mostly all hand drawn sets my artwork apart from a lot of the religious artwork I’ve seen circulating around the internet nowadays. Most of the contemporary religious art I’m seeing trending is digital and very delicate, feminine, and sometimes floral.

I also write poetry and just started recording my songs and posting them on youtube. My songs are a lot like my artwork, dark and real but with a foundation and emphasis on my faith. I’m really proud of myself for being brave enough to start sharing my music this year..I still have no idea what I’m doing but I feel good about it and it’s great fun. It just feels like it’s what I’m supposed to be doing.

I got to where I am today by basically doing my best to keep coming back to basics and honing my skills. By cooperating with God in my becoming as an artist. When all else fails, and when life gets hard, I can pick up my pencil and draw, I can write, I can play my guitar and sing a song. I can ask for the grace to beat resistance. It’s a constant lesson in returning. Returning to what I was made for. Has it been easy? No, But I’ve heard that nothing that’s worth it ever is. Life happens, but my faith keeps me going when the challenges come and allows me to ride the next wave.

What I’ve learned along the way most importantly is that I am never alone. That I have a God is for me and who can take every ugly thing in my life and transform it into something beautiful and in turn teaches me how to do so with my work as well. To transmute pain into beauty that it may speak to somebody’s heart.

I guess what I would want the world to know about my work and my story is that it is the result of not giving in and not giving up. It is the result of not letting the world turn me cold. It is the result of faith, hope, and love. My life isn’t perfect, and neither am I. I am flawed, just like you, I struggle, just like you, and if I can do it, and if I’m doing it, then I believe that you can do it too. We are here to make this world beautiful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If we have to stay in LA..

As far as food goes I would recommend Norms Burgers in Whittier, Aunties or Scotties for breakfast, Bizarra Capital for mexican food, Mowhawk Bend and Sage for vegan pizza, a bacon wrapped hotdog stand and Toi in hollywood simply for the rock n roll ambience.

I would also recommend visiting the coast in Palos Verdes, the various arboretums and gardens, the beach, and the museums (I like the Getty Villa and Norton Simon)

Catching one of my best friends vinyl sets in LA or even finding a cool show to go to is an idea as well.

Otherwise I’d say get straight outta here to Palm Springs, make a pit stop at Cabazon, and have dinner and a stay at the pioneer town motel and gaze at the stars at night from an old west style porch.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My brother Eric Razo who is a phenomenal musician and master at his craft, for influencing me and helping me hone my creative abilities as a child and really helping set that foundation. My good friends Victoria, Robyn, Danielle, Maria and Melissa just to name a few, who have stuck by me the whole way and loved me. The entire Stone to Flesh community who have really supported, encouraged, and taught me so much about my faith, and yes I’m gonna go there and say it.. my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..because I couldn’t do any of this without his touch.

Instagram: instagram.com/karlyannrazo