Issue 001 – Solei
The power in Solei’s very controlled line work emanated immediately with us. Whether she’s dreaming up contour-lined portraits or attempting to fill every wall with murals on the streets of Massachusetts (and very likely the world), this artist is unlikely to disappoint in delivering the essence of the subject. We recommend putting her band Atlas Lab on in a separate tab, and scrolling through her diverse selection of paintings, drawings and murals. You’ll feel a divine pairing of both audio and visual stimulation that is unlikely to be forgotten.
![]()
First Mandala, Pen and Ink
The Interview:
How did you get started?
Any so-called “talent” I have now, I owe to being a quiet, slightly socially awkward child who liked to sing and draw a lot by herself. I laid the neural connections early.
After college, I had plans to find a job at a nonprofit or something, some 9-5, but the band I was in at the time, (goldbloc), started getting a lot of buzz and I thought that seemed like a way more fun option. So I started waitressing instead, and I’ve been pursuing the art and music thing since then.
I got started with murals when one summer, I spent a few manic days making a giant wheatpaste for my parent’s shed, thanks guys.
What are you doing now?
Seeking out mural opportunities, I’m always looking to paint more walls. Painting a lot in general. I’m also interested in getting into surrealism. I am also playing a lot with my band Atlas Lab, and finishing up recording a 5 song EP!
Dreams of Mine, Mural, Interior Latex Paint and Gold Spray Paint, Solei
What inspires you?
As of right now, I am still very much involved with myself and finding where I fit into the world. I feel the journey inward is of utmost importance for me at this time.
The better you know yourself, the more positive impact you can have on the world.
Dreams are really big for me at the moment, I have been fascinated by dream analysis ever since reading Man of Symbols by Carl Jung. I’ve been recording my dreams for 6 months, and using them to help make me a better person, creatively and otherwise. Also, mandalas are pretty huge for me right now.
Future plans: what are you doing next?
Big picture is to paint A LOT, especially walls. And make music a lot.
I am working towards financial stability through art and music alone, a heroic task in this day and age, but I’m not rushing anywhere with it. Just growing, developing, shaping my life to yield positive ends.
In the future I feel that I have the potential to make political, especially feminist, art. But I still feel like I am only 23, and I am a huge idiot in a lot of ways. I am taking time to educate myself before I go around making statements like I know what I’m talking about. Something I think more people should do.
What does art mean to you? In other words, define art for us.
For me, art is making yourself a medium for energy from “elsewhere”, the universe, collective unconscious, love, God, Allah, subtle self, third eye. Whatever you want to call it, for me it is the same. There are some projects I have done for people that I don’t really consider art. If I’m just creating something for them that they want, instead of opening myself to chance or process or discovery. But I still like doing those things because they build skills and networks and opportunities for art. Also I genuinely love the physical activity of painting, even if it is just coloring in the lines.
Tell us about your most favorite piece of work that you have done. Why is it meaningful to you?
I had a dream where I saw drawings I had never done before.
They were in a completely new style for me, but in the dream I was showing them at a group show, a show and tell. When I woke up I remembered how they looked, and I sat down and drew a self portrait in the new style. This was huge for me and inspired an entirely new direction of work.
The Outlyers:
Tell us a deep dark secret:
Probably the main reason I draw so much is because I have anxiety and problems sitting still.
Finish the sentence:
I’m the happiest when…I can combine work and play
I feel most fulfilled when…I make big art on a big wall
If I had it my way…every blank ugly wall in the city would have something besides emptiness on it.
It’s happy hour what are you ordering?
It’s happy hour and I am ordering whatever is cheapest. Unless there’s guacamole, then I splurge.
Solei is based in Boston, MA.
The post Solei: Dreaming Up Portraits: Astonishing Loops In Voice, Pen, And Wall. appeared first on Outcryer.