About the artist
Carolina "KAKO" Villarreal is a Mexican-American painter based in El Paso, Texas, whose work explores the intricate experience of being alive. Working from her studio at the ART Junction, she develops a style she terms Psychedelic Emotionalism, a fusion of vibrant color and layered gradients that emit ethereal auras and vibrant moods around her subjects.
Her practice is rooted in "Humanhood," she uses this to describe the shared yet complex journey of the human condition. Through human portraits and mystical animals, she constructs "mirrors" reflecting the hard yet beautiful truths of existence. Central to her compositions is the gaze. By strategically placing color prisms and layered gradients around the eyes, she unearths unspoken sensations that speak in silence, inviting the viewer to pause and feel.
Rooted in the cultural duality of the U.S.-Mexico border, Villarreal’s work transcends the canvas to create a transformative space. Her paintings establish a profound connection between artist and audience, guiding the viewer through a kaleidoscopic exploration of empathy, spirituality, and self-awareness. Her artworks have been exhibited in and outside of El Paso like The El Paso Museum of Art, The Rubin Center for the Visual Arts UTEP, Hal Marcus Gallery and Flor de Barro Gallery in Mexico City.
"View with your Soul" — KAKO
Medium
Medium oils and acrylics.
Inspiration
Kako's creative process derives from her perception and connection to the external world. Derived from her processes of connectivity with animals, nature, and her current reality.
