From the outside, Marcela Solana’s art dazzles with color, movement, and intricate detail, but behind every brushstroke lies her journey of survival, faith, and profound transformation. A contemporary artist and author, Marcela turned years of personal pain into powerful storytelling, both on canvas and in the pages of her memoir, Entrégala a la Bestia. In this deeply personal conversation, she opens up about the healing power of art, the spiritual rebirth that shaped her collections, and the quiet courage it takes to create from the most vulnerable parts of ourselves.
Marcela Solana: Finding Her Voice in Bold Detail
Marcela, take me back to when you first started creating. How did you discover your artistic side, and what led you specifically to painting as your medium?
I have always been creative and artistic. I’ve always loved colors, shapes, and textures, but I never imagined becoming an artist — let alone an author. I majored in design, always focusing on graphic design, but it wasn’t until years after I graduated from college that I shifted to the art world.
At school, you’d always find me with either a pencil, colored pencils, or markers in my hand; I was always creating something. As far as painting, I had painted a few times before as part of school credits, but it was never something I was interested in. However, one day after drawing a rhino and sharing it on social media, it made quite a lot of noise and people started requesting paintings from that point on. I wasn’t painting by then, but ever since that moment, I started painting — mostly animals — and my career pretty much took off from that point onward.
I paint with acrylics given the very detailed technique that I work with and the fact that it takes several days to finish just a single artwork; oil paint takes much longer to dry.
Tell me about growing up in Guadalajara. How did your hometown influence your artistic vision?
To be honest, I don’t think my hometown of Guadalajara influenced my artistic vision, especially since my family has nothing to do with the art industry. I would say it was my entire home country’s culture that influenced it. The Mexican culture itself — the colors, the passion, the warmth, the music and its people.
However, being one who loves to travel, I take in the influence from the many places I have visited as well as from the people I meet and things I read or experiences I go through.
How did you know when you’d found your style and voice that felt authentically yours?
I have always answered this question one way: It was a Godsend. I don’t think I could have come up with it by myself, on my own. Everything happened so organically and so quickly in a way that I barely knew what I was doing. I just knew I was enjoying it.
People were fascinated by the colorfully bold and detailed tribal patterns I was creating, and I suddenly discovered a new passion that turned into my job. Within months, people were recognizing my technique in exhibitions, which is wonderful to see as an artist.
I have to say, once I saw how people’s eyes would illuminate while looking at my work, and after receiving messages from them saying how my paintings somehow gave them a sense of joy and peace, that’s when I knew what my mission was behind my work. All I ever wanted to do since then is share color and love through my art in what seems like a dark and tarnished world at times. If my work can make you smile, that’s a win for me.
Inside the Process and the Heart Behind the Work
As far as the creative process, walk me through how a painting begins for you. Is it a sketch, a feeling, or do you just start with color on canvas?
The first step of my creative process is probably the hardest one — and one that is often overlooked — which is coming up with the idea: what will I paint now? That one specific part comes to me in different ways depending on where I am in life. At times, inspiration comes from a trip I made, from looking at a beautiful, colorful sunset, or a specific color palette, or from a visit to museums and galleries and looking at different artworks — or it may come from whatever I’m going through emotionally in my life.
As far as the literal painting process, I like to create sketches and put down the ideas just to find the space and silhouettes. Then, I project the image on canvas to trace the outline, but after that, everything comes up organically.
I may think of a color palette to start with, but eventually the colors and figures I add to the painting just happen naturally as I paint. There have been times when I started with a specific color palette I wanted to use and then think of what I wanted to do with it, but it’s rarely the case. I have noticed, though, that since I first began painting in 2014, my paintings and technique have become more and more detailed with time.
The last part of the process, the painstaking yet exciting part for me, is the outlining of the painting. Although it takes a lot of time, patience, and a steady hand, I always get excited to use different widths of outlines and play with those to create dimension. I also love how it sort of gives it a stained glass effect. I’m always amazed by my artworks — sometimes even I can’t believe I did them with my hands!
Your art delves into such deeply personal spaces. How do you find the courage to put out such intimate work?
When I first began painting, no one knew I was going through a very turbulent time and all I wanted to do was try to forget about it; sometimes I couldn’t hold a brush steadily given some health issues. So I painted easy objects and themes like animals, ice cream cones, city skylines, cars — just for fun. I added a lot of color to compensate for the darkness I was living in.
However, when I got better and the time came for me to heal and work on my inner self, I created a few collections that were meant to be private and personal. These were raw and very emotional paintings that were tied up to specific moments of my painful past. Along with these paintings, I started to write a lot, to heal, and the writing turned into a book — Entrégala a la Bestia — which has now been published in Mexico.
As my story hit the world, I decided to show the more personal paintings because I know that I’m not the only one who’s been through tough times. If anyone feels seen and heard through my art, I hope it heals and helps them. This is the reason why I decided to open up and share it all. It is the reason why I have been painting more personal themes too.
Marcela Solana on Art and Transformation
I know your Release collection was born from a really tough time in your life. How do you find the courage to paint from such a vulnerable place?
My past is filled with pain and darkness, and as they say, the only way out is through. Frankly, I was hesitant to paint this collection at first because I didn’t want to open Pandora’s box and feel those horrible feelings again. As part of my healing journey, and as a way to release those feelings and emotions (pun intended), I took key moments from those painful times and created twelve paintings which pretty much tell a story from falling into the darkest hole to resurfacing from the ashes.
The only reason I decided to share this particular Release collection with the world — one that was darker, more personal and raw than ever, and one that was meant to stay private — was to help and inspire others. I know everyone has their own battle, their own scars, their own mountain to climb, however big it might be. And I want to tell each of those people that they are not alone and that rising up, seeing the light, and finding life again is possible.
After Release, I created two more collections — The Aftermath and Word to the Wise — that go hand in hand with my book; the three tell a story together.
The Transformative Art of Marcela Solana
Finding Voice Through Color and Storytelling
Marcela Solana is a contemporary artist and author whose work is a vivid exploration of healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Her paintings captivate audiences with bold colors, intricate details, and dynamic movement, but they also carry deeply personal narratives of trauma and transformation. Through her memoir, Entrégala a la Bestia, and her art collections, she shares her journey of survival, faith, and creative rebirth. Each brushstroke is a reflection of her inner world, offering viewers a unique window into emotions, experiences, and spiritual growth, turning pain into powerful storytelling that resonates universally.
Creative Process and Signature Style
Her creative process begins with inspiration drawn from life experiences, travel, and cultural influences, especially her Mexican heritage. Marcela sketches ideas, projects outlines, and allows colors and patterns to flow organically, developing her signature stained-glass-like technique. Collections like Release, The Aftermath, and Word to the Wise chronicle her journey from darkness to renewal. Her work demonstrates that art is not just aesthetic, it is a transformative tool for self-expression and emotional healing, providing joy, connection, and hope for audiences around the world.
What drew you to explore chaos and control in your Duality collection? It’s such an internal struggle for all of us.
It is such a struggle! There is a fine line between one and the other. I tend to be a perfectionist and have been working truly hard to change that. I came up with this idea for two reasons. One, I wanted to add a new technique to what I usually do. And two, I wanted to break free, in a way, from the perfectionism behind my usual painstaking technique.
I wanted to explore the duality between perfectionism and letting go — going from something that’s usually worked in a painstakingly detailed manner to a looser, more liberating way of painting. The contradictions between something being so perfectly straight, leaving no space for error, while the other part is more chaotic, with less detail and planning yet still beautiful to the eye. I wanted to feel, and let the viewer feel, these two sets of emotions. One half of the painting is rigid, accurate, unbending, and leaning into perfectionism, while the other half feels like freedom — it’s got movement, it’s lighter on the hand, it’s inaccurate, and leans into letting everything flow. There’s a lightness to letting go. There’s beauty in the imperfections, too.
The pieces in Word to the Wise feel so different. There’s this lightness to them. What shifted for you as an artist when you moved into that work?
Word to the Wise is a collection that was born out of my memoir. I remember thinking about the greatness of wisdom I mustered by learning the toughest lessons during my most painful years, and more so, throughout the healing process and the huge spiritual awakening I experienced. I had to do something about it. I needed to share these bits of wisdom.
As I wrote my book, I took key life lessons and turned them into thirteen artworks filled with light, typography, and florals. This collection in particular is reminiscent of the rebirth that happens after rising from the ashes. A new vision of life where there is more understanding and serenity, hence the light and specific color palette.
At the same time, I wanted to play with different techniques, specifically dripping and florals. The floral pattern is imperative for this collection as it represents new beginnings and life itself. It was an ambitious project, but I am fascinated by the end result.
Healing Through Art: The Story Behind Entrégala a la Bestia
Tell me about Entrégala a la Bestia, an intriguing title. What does it mean to you, and what made you decide to write your story now?
Writing this book lifted the heavy weight of emotions I was carrying for so long. Entrégala a la Bestia, which translates to Give Her to the Beast, is my first book. It’s my story. It’s a story of survival. A story of patience, understanding, and forgiveness. It’s a story of faith and hope. At a time when my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual strength were almost nonexistent, when it seemed as though my candle was burning so dim that all it took was one small blow to extinguish it forever, the tiny microscopic grain of faith that remained in my reserve gave me enough resilience and strength to keep going.
I lived through something that I believe not many have. I was a victim of black magic attacks by a family member who wanted me gone — something I couldn’t even believe in. For over 20 years, I suffered horrible accidents, mishaps, and sicknesses that no doctor could ever resolve, until I ended up with the right people, lightworkers, who eventually guided me and helped me. Falling into the darkest and deepest unknown took me to my resurgence from the ashes, to finding peace, fulfillment, and an unwavering faith. There is much more beyond what we know, there is much more beneath an iceberg, and there is something even bigger than what our eyes see on the surface.
The way my perspective on life itself shifted and the way my faith grew, along with everything I learned — these were the reasons I decided to share my otherworldly story. I know many are suffering, and if I can inspire them in any way or give them light and hope, I will always try to help. It is my hope that my story, my book, will plant the seed of empathy, faith, and love in anyone who reads it. I experienced intense hatred from someone, and that made me keen on opening the hearts that need unlocking.
What did the writing process address in your healing that painting alone couldn’t?
There’s only so much you can express via images and painting. It’s always abstract given that each person in an audience will have their own perception and perspective of a painting. I think the audience will relate to it depending on their life situation, their thought process, or their emotions. However, when it comes to words, it’s more literal. Depending on how you write, it usually is what it is. By writing, I could share more deeply. I was able to share more details and get the messages across more clearly.
I wanted to create a sort of guideline to living life more consciously and more fully, where love leads the way. What better way to do it than in the written word. On top of that, I added a few pages with my paintings inside my book to give a complete view and idea of what I went through.
You’ve been so open about your healing journey. How are you doing now?
Thanks for asking! Healing has definitely taken many years of my life, and as anyone who’s been through this process knows, it’s not a linear process. Healing has many ups and downs — you crash, you cry, you may throw in the towel, but you shake it off and rise up again, stronger and better each time you trip and fall. With every tumble, I have learned and have come back stronger. It’s one of the reasons why I was able to speak up and share my most vulnerable parts. All I can say is that, as years go by, I keep feeling better — and it keeps getting better!
Studio Practice & Craft
Tell me about your studio space and what a typical painting day looks like for you.
My studio space is quite small, but I love it. I wish I had a bigger space, although I have managed to create beautiful artworks in it! I usually paint at home. I always have music on, sometimes a scented candle, an open window overlooking the garden, and more often than not, I only paint during the morning, from 9am to 2pm. It might not seem like it, but painting takes a lot from me. As much as I love it, my technique is so detailed and meticulous that I can’t push it too hard. A large-sized painting, 100x100cm for instance, takes at least two to three full weeks to finish.
Do you find it easier to work on multiple pieces at once or just one at a time?
The way I usually work is, I create the entire concept for a collection: theme, canvas sizes, what I want to paint on each one, color palette ideas, etc. Once I have that foundation, then I do one at a time. Depending on the theme, I work on several at a time — as was the case of Word to the Wise — to get the exact same background on each, for example.
As you can tell by now, I don’t really follow a particular line or rule when it comes to my art. I create as I feel it at the moment. That is the beauty and the freedom of art.
Many artists struggle with knowing when a painting is finished. How do you handle this common issue, especially on your more personal pieces?
I haven’t really found a struggle with knowing when a painting is finished. I always know; it’s a feeling. I think that my designer brain comes in when I create my pieces, and so I always have a clear image of what I want the artwork to look like in my mind. When the image created matches what’s in my head, that’s when I know it’s finished.
What’s Next for Marcela Solana
Looking back now, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Wow, there are so many ways I could address this question. But speaking generally about life, I’d say, “March, it’s gonna be painful, it’s gonna be lonely and dark for a while, but you’re gonna be okay. Keep pushing through, keep believing in yourself, for you will become the greatest version of yourself. Most importantly, NEVER lose faith. Never lose ground and always be kind. Light and love ALWAYS win.”
What’s next in your creative evolution?
I wish I knew! One thing I learned is that there’s only so much I can control, and life has taken me places where I never even imagined possible — like becoming an author! All I know is that as long as I keep my inspiration and creativity flowing, great things will come.
I’m working on getting my book published in English soon for everyone to read. I do hope it happens soon!
I see we share a love for travel. What is your favorite destination, and which is next on your bucket list?
Yes! I love travelling so much. I genuinely love getting to meet new people, experiencing the different cultures, and the food, of course! There are so many places I’ve visited that I truly enjoyed, like Australia, Greece, Croatia, Italy, and then there are cities I have lived in — New York and London — which have become my second home, in a way. There’s always Spain, which is part of my DNA; I grew up with Spanish traditions, having Spanish roots. The food is incredible there!
There are so many places that I have yet to visit, like Japan, Singapore, Iceland… The world is a big place! My next destination will be the South of France, which I’m very excited about!
Marcela Solana’s work isn’t just beautiful — it’s deeply personal. Her paintings reflect everything from joy to heartbreak, blending bold patterns with raw emotion. What started as a way to escape a dark chapter turned into a lifelong calling. Through her art, she offers something rare: a moment of connection, color, and clarity in a complicated world.
Curious to see more?
Head to marcelasolana.com to explore her latest pieces and published memoir, or follow @marcelasolana.art on Instagram for a peek into her world.
