Cocoo (Karla Ochoa): Painting Faith, Imagination, and Light Across Borders

Participation in World Art Collection – 100 Photos of Europe

In the evolving landscape of contemporary European art, where personal narrative and global exchange intersect, Cocoo – artistic name of Karla Ochoa – stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith, resilience, and creative intuition. Born in Cuenca, Ecuador, and now living and working in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, she has developed a multidisciplinary practice that merges abstraction, geometry, realism, and interior artistic interventions into a deeply personal visual language.

Her inclusion in World Art Collection – 100 Photos of Europe marks not only an international milestone, but also a symbolic affirmation of a journey that began not in academic studios, but in faith, healing, and personal rebirth.

Introduction – A Journey Born from Faith and Renewal

Cocoo’s artistic path began eight years ago under unexpected yet meaningful circumstances. Encouraged by her son Inti, she first approached painting as both a hobby and a form of therapy. At the time, she had recently experienced a major life transition following her divorce. What began as a personal healing practice soon revealed itself as something far deeper.

Without formal training or academic courses, she discovered what she describes as a divine gift: an innate ability to translate imagination, emotion, and spiritual connection into visual form. Her earliest works were met with enthusiasm and appreciation from those around her, reinforcing the sense that this was not simply a pastime, but a calling.

For Cocoo, art is not learned technique alone, it is communion. Before beginning each work, she prays or meditates, speaking with God and grounding herself in gratitude and purpose. This spiritual preparation becomes the foundation of her creative process. The canvas, in her hands, becomes both prayer and proclamation.

A Multidisciplinary Language of Color and Texture

As a multidisciplinary artist, Cocoo moves fluidly across techniques and surfaces. Her materials include acrylic and watercolor, silicone-based applications, painted wall murals, canvas compositions, and interior design projects. She incorporates real lighting effects into certain works, transforming pieces into immersive visual experiences.

Her subjects range from abstract and geometric compositions to realistic portraits, expressive faces, natural elements, and children’s drawings. The diversity is not random, it reflects a belief that creativity has no singular format. Each work demands its own language, and she responds by selecting and mixing materials intuitively, according to the needs of the message she wishes to convey.

Her one-line definition of her work encapsulates this philosophy:
“I paint using all kinds of techniques and mix the necessary materials to create a beautiful work of art.”

Yet beneath this simplicity lies a layered approach. Her abstract pieces often radiate movement and energetic rhythm. Geometric forms suggest structure and cosmic order. Realistic faces capture emotion with softness and warmth. Murals integrate art directly into lived spaces, dissolving the boundary between art object and environment.

Each composition carries its own concept and narrative. No two works repeat the same emotional frequency.

Core Themes – Peace, Positivity, and Spiritual Harmony

At the center of Cocoo’s artistic universe lies a commitment to peace, happiness, and positive energy. These are not decorative intentions but conscious foundations. She approaches painting as a way to transmit spiritual harmony outward into the world.

Her inspiration is expansive. She draws from everything around us, nature, humanity, Earth, and the Universe. The cosmos becomes metaphor; daily life becomes revelation. She does not isolate art from existence; rather, she sees creation as continuous dialogue between human beings and divine energy.

The act of painting becomes both gratitude and testimony. Through her work, she wishes to communicate that every person possesses a unique talent. When aligned with faith and spiritual clarity, that talent reveals itself naturally. For Cocoo, artistic creation is not about ego or recognition, it is about honoring a gift and sharing it generously.

Art in the Present – Recognition and International Expansion

Today, Cocoo’s practice continues to expand across Europe. Throughout the year, her work is scheduled to be exhibited in several prominent European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Monaco, Belgium, Portugal, France, Spain, and Denmark. Her art represents the Netherlands in two books at both European and global levels, further solidifying her presence within the international art community.

She will also be featured in a book launching in Madrid, destined for distribution to libraries worldwide, an important step in ensuring that her work reaches diverse audiences beyond gallery walls.

In parallel with her exhibitions, she is developing three significant projects:

• The founding of a children’s art school, dedicated to nurturing young creative talents and helping children discover their artistic voice.

• Continued work in interior design, integrating her art, client collaboration, and personalized decorative solutions.

• Ongoing multidisciplinary experimentation across techniques and formats.

For Cocoo, artistic growth is inseparable from service. Teaching children and transforming living spaces are extensions of her belief that art must exist within everyday life.

Participation in World Art Collection – 100 Photos of Europe

Cocoo discovered the project through Instagram, responding to a digital advertisement that immediately captured her attention. Being selected for publication within World Art Collection – 100 Photos of Europe brought both joy and gratitude.

For her, participation is a source of pride, but also of humility. She views international recognition not as personal triumph, but as confirmation that her art resonates beyond borders. It represents a way of thanking God, acknowledging that her creative gift has found global appreciation.

The project situates her work within a transnational dialogue, connecting her Ecuadorian roots, Dutch present, and European cultural framework. Through this platform, her message of faith, positivity, and human harmony reaches a broader audience.

Contact & Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_by_cocoo
Facebook: Art Cocoo
Projects: World Art Collection100 Artists of Europe