Fantasy & Gothic Illustration
Original paintings and prints — dark, surreal, beautifully strange
The Artist
Karla Ruiz is a freelance artist and art student born in Tijuana, B.C. Mexico and raised in San Diego, California. She has been painting since 2004, working across acrylic, oil, watercolor, and pastels to bring her visions to life.
Her work dwells in a world between dreams and nightmares — gothic figures, surrealist imagery, and vibrant character portraits that blend dark romanticism with pop sensibility. Each painting is deeply personal, drawing from mythology, literature, and an enduring fascination with the beautifully strange.
Influenced by the visionary work of Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, and Mark Ryden, Karla's art celebrates the macabre, the mystical, and the melancholy — rendered with meticulous care and a signature painterly warmth.
Custom Work
Commission a one-of-a-kind original painting — portraits, character art, and personal pieces. All work is executed in your choice of medium on stretched canvas.
5 × 7"
$75
single figure
8 × 10"
$160
single figure
9 × 12"
$215
single figure
11 × 14"
$290
single figure
12 × 16"
$360
single figure
14 × 18"
$475
single figure
16 × 20"
$600
single figure
Prices listed are base rates for a single figure with a plain background.
Additional figures add +25% per figure. Background complexity is negotiable.
Extras such as pets, props, and decorative elements are negotiated case by case.
A deposit is required to begin work. Full payment due upon completion.
Get in Touch
For commission inquiries, print availability, or general questions, feel free to reach out by email. Please read the FAQ page first — it may already have the answer you’re looking for.
Prints of most works are available through the Etsy shop. Original paintings may be available — ask!
karla@karlaruizart.comFind Me Online
