Hi, I’m Karen Alleluia!

I am a Filipina-American freelance illustrator who creates charming art that inspires learning and shares messages of positivity. I began my career by drawing my two chihuahuas, Bandit and Fatboy, and after a year of sharing their funny and imagined adventures, my obsession for storytelling inevitably grew beyond my home setting.

I found great purpose in projects that allowed me to stand up for those whose voices have been silenced, like portraying George Zimmerman as a greater threat than Trayvon Martin (oil painting sold at the Chula Vista Art Gallery); or exaggerating how we view women wearing Niqabs (given Honorable Mention by the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego); or even creating a hundred portraits to give back to black and disadvantaged communities (we raised over $2,500 under my 2020 “BLM Portraits” campaign).

I realized that I wanted to do more than just create likable characters or attractive art — I wanted people to connect with my work so they would feel empowered to stand up for someone, even if it’s just for themselves.

So I created kluia co., a place where I could tell stories of colorful characters overcoming real issues like rejection, failure, and loss. My hope is that my designs will serve as reminders to stay strong in tough times and to be more kind to one another. 

My style and values easily translate into a wide range of illustrative work — like creating book art and printed merchandise, painting murals, teaching children how to draw, designing toys, building ceramics, and developing creative marketing campaigns for small businesses. If you’d like to see what that looks like, you can click into any of my portfolios below!

When I’m not drawing or creating, I like to do jiu jitsu and spar with people bigger than me. My go-to submission is the rear naked choke, but my true secret for success is gummy worms. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little! For all inquiries, questions, and candy suggestions, feel free to contact me at hello@kluia.co.

EXPERIENCE + EDUCATION

Freelance Illustrator and Owner, 2021 - Present
kluia co. | San Diego, CA

Creative Marketing Instructor, 2022 - Present
Domestika Inc. | New York, NY

Art Mentorship Program, 2021 - 2022
Scholastic Inc. | New York, NY

Lead Illustrator, 2017 - 2020
Passion Planner | San Diego, CA

Editorial Cartoonist, 2014 - 2017
The Sun Newspaper | Chula Vista, CA

AAs: Studio Arts, Graphic Design, Math and Science, 2012 - 2017
Southwestern College, Mesa College | San Diego, CA

VENDOR EVENTS

San Diego Comic Con, 2024
San Diego Convention Center | CA

WonderCon, 2023-2024
Anaheim Convention Center | CA

LightBox Expo, 2021-2023
Pasadena Convention Center | CA

Philippine Cultural Arts Fest, 2022-2023
Balboa Park | San Diego, CA

San Diego Night Market, 2019
SDCCU Stadium | San Diego, CA

Live Art Mural, 2019
Cross Street Chicken | San Diego, CA

AWARDS + HONORS

Most Innovative, 2019
Angelia Trinidad, CEO of Passion Planner

Curator’s Choice: Honorable Mention, 2017
Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

Best of Show for Design, 2017
Perry Vasquez, SWC Art Gallery Director