My first blog entry

Hi there, and welcome to my illustration blog!

Let me introduce myself—I’m Carla Romero, but you might know me here as Carlillu (Carl- from Carla & -illu from illustration). I’m originally from Argentina, but I now live on the other side of the world in Belgium.

Since childhood, I’ve always been drawn to art—whether it was drawing, painting, or making up illustrated stories. When I was 12, my family and I moved to Spain, where I lived for 13 years. I was preparing to pursue a degree in science, but at the last moment, I made a life-changing decision to follow what I truly loved—creating art. From then on, I began chasing my dreams of becoming an illustrator. Now, as a professional illustrator and graphic designer, I’m always setting new creative goals.

One of my biggest dreams has always been to become a children’s book illustrator. I’ve dreamed about it since I was little, and now, I hope to one day read books I’ve illustrated to my own daughter. Yes, I’m a freelance artist and mother, navigating life in a foreign country, with all the challenges that come with a language that, even after nine years, feels frustratingly difficult at times.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been lucky to have people who believe in me and support me (shout out to my recurring clients!). The challenges I’ve faced since moving here have shaped me into the person I am today. Don’t get me wrong—there have been tough times, and they’re still ongoing. But through it all, I’ve learned a lot about life and, most importantly, about myself.

In this blog, I want to share my experiences and everything I learn along the way. Maybe one day, someone who feels as lost as I once did will find something here that helps them on their own path.

I’ll do my best to keep my entries regular—as much as life allows! I’ve come to understand the importance of taking breaks when needed, so I’ll step away from time to time to recharge, but no worries—I’ll always be back!

I hope that if you’re reading this, you find my blog interesting and feel welcome here. Let’s make this a two-way conversation—feel free to interact via comments, email, or social media. Every time you stop by, imagine I’m offering you a cup of tea and freshly baked cookies.

Thank you for reading!

See you soon!

Carlillu

PS: Be sure to stay subscribed so you don’t miss future blog posts, creative tips, and behind-the-scenes stories!

Hi, I hope you find a little warmth, a hint of honey aroma, and the laughter of a friend in this cup of tea.