Welcome to the third entry in my ongoing series highlighting incredible Boricua creators! Today, I’m thrilled to share my interview with Karla Miranda.
I first became aware of Karla’s work through her posts in the Puerto Rico Role Players and Dungeons & Dragons Puerto Rico Facebook groups, where she regularly shares her stunning character portraits. She was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions about her creative process and her time at the gaming table. I am incredibly grateful to her and to all the other local creators who have been participating in this series.
Here is our interview!
Introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you create?
My name is Karla Miranda, and I’m a full-time teacher and occasional artist! I usually just love illustrating my characters, with the occasional piece of fan art. ✨️
How would you describe your art or creative endeavor?
My art is catered specifically to me, LOL. I’ll get a sudden hit to create a new character or update an existing one, and my process is always accompanied by a 1+ hour YouTube essay.
How did you discover TTRPGs?
A friend suggested we try an experimental version of just regular verbal roleplay with occasional dice rolls. After that, he invited me to play D&D 5e Princes of the Apocalypse!
Do you actively play TTRPGs right now? What are you playing?
I currently play with my girls and @Wenceslavos, who is our DM! We’re playing Curse of Strahd, and it’s been an incredible two years already!
What do you want to play next? The next thing in the queue to play is Dark Matter, published by Mage Hand Press, with my girls, and Rime of the Frostmaiden (RotF) in our in-real-life game!
What projects are available, and what are you working on next?
Right now, @Wenceslavos and I are brainstorming more beginner-friendly and advanced player One-Shot Adventures with full character art, plus creating the characters for our upcoming RotF adventure!
Where can people find your art?
You can find my work only on Instagram @vilea_ngel_ !✨️
Any closing thoughts? If you’re an artist, be insane with your favorite characters. You’ll learn to draw so quickly if you hyper-fixate, LOL. And if you’re not, it’s never too late to join the light and pick up a pencil to start learning! You gotta be bad at something before you’re good!
Huge thank you to Karla! I’ve actually had the immense pleasure of meeting her in person; she is not only a talented artist but a fantastic GM and a genuinely amicable person.
I got to see her run a game at El Gremio in Cayey for the Puerto Rico Role Players holiday event. You can also spot her as one of the local gamers interviewed by Juego La Mesa for the 50th Anniversary of D&D (which I was actually interviewed for as well!): Watch the Facebook Reel Here
She also provided the art for—and played in! —This excellent one-shot run by Juego La Mesa:
It is a true privilege to know her and to share her art with all of you. Make sure to go and give her a follow!
