about this newsletter

karla monterrosa is an artist who is also your friend

Jan 05, 2025

First off, it’s unreal that you’re reading this because you wanted to.
Second: welcome to my newsletter!
TL;DR: Blogs are back?! And also: YouTuber alert! I’m releasing a long video about visiting Taiwan.

✸ hello!

I’m karla monterrosa (I style my name in lowercase, but I’m not too serious about it). I’m an illustrator and animation filmmaker. I use she/her/hers pronouns and I’m a leo.

🌴 I was born and raised in sunny San Salvador, El Salvador, and I currently live in rainy Vancouver, BC - making my home in the occupied traditional lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Watuth Nations. I live with my partner Joanne (aries) and our dog Bailey (libra).

A picture of Karla when she was 3 or 4 years old. She has pale brown skin, shoulder-length black hair, and her expression is sad. Her eyes look big and watery, and her eyebrows are arched backwards. — I’m a very happy person but I was born with resting sad face.

✸ what is this?

This is my first step into focusing my efforts on community.

The rise in interest in newsletters makes me feel like the days of blogging are back. I miss Tumblr, I miss Blogspot, and most importantly, I miss feeling like I’m actually putting my words and images in front of someone’s eyes. I have always wanted to do more for those who enjoy my work and care to support me.

A simple illustration of a dark orange flower that has a smile on its face and is winking.

✸ what can i expect?

🪴 my silly little life and opinions
⭐️ my work- and the thoughts behind it
🪞 experiment and production diaries
💌 at least two emails per month

The only thing I can offer you right now is this piece of news: I have been experimenting with editing longer videos for YouTube, and I’m happy with it! My first long-form video in my upcoming channel will be a travel vlog of my time in Taiwan from October to November 2024.

A picture of the brightly lit entrance of Rahoe Street Night Market in Taipei, Taiwan. — Hate comments ONLY!

✸ you already have socials, so…?

A picture of Shrek wearing big sports shades and bright lipstick.

✸ a word of caution

When I started researching which platform would be best to work on fostering my online community, I learned good and bad things about Substack. I also ruined multiple romantic moments annoying Joanne with my ongoing debate between Patreon and Substack! I know this platform will push you to subscribe, re-stack, and follow paid newsletters. My advice to you is to stick to your guns and say no! every time this platform wants you to do something you don’t want to do. I trust you.

If this goes well, I’d love to move this mailing list/ blog to a platform that I own entirely.

✸ see you soon :)

Subscribe and join whatever is happening here! You will get an email whenever I post something, but you can also switch your preferences. Please like, comment, and tell everyone you know!