Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Solnik.
Hi Marissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey as an artist began in high school, where I first started experimenting with spray paint as a medium. At the time, I primarily created abstract and cosmic-inspired pieces, and it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I enjoyed the unique possibilities that spray paint offered. As much as I loved the medium, I found myself wanting to create artwork with more structure and precision.
That search led me to artists on social media who were using hand-cut stencils to produce spray-painted images with clean, defined lines. Inspired by their work, I began teaching myself how to design and hand-cut my own stencils. I started with simple two-tone images and, through years of practice and experimentation, gradually incorporated more colors, layers, and detail into each piece.
Nearly 15 years later, my process has evolved from using a single stencil to creating artwork that can involve anywhere from 15 to 50 individually designed stencils and dozens of colors. My subject matter has grown just as much, expanding from simple designs and fictional characters to highly detailed portraits, memorial pieces, pets, vehicles, and landscapes. Each commission presents a new creative challenge, and I enjoy finding ways to capture not only the subject itself but also the story and personality behind it.
Outside of my art, I’m an automotive engineer by profession. While engineering satisfies my analytical side, painting provides a creative balance that allows me to disconnect from the demands of my day job and express myself in an entirely different way. What began as a hobby has given me the opportunity to create meaningful, one-of-a-kind artwork for clients while continuing to challenge myself and grow as an artist.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, it’s been a relatively smooth journey, but there have definitely been challenges along the way. Some of the smaller hurdles included transitioning to a new brand of paints and learning how to trust my instincts when taking on projects that pushed me beyond my comfort zone.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was a commission of a client’s McLaren. They requested a 48″ × 60″ painting—the largest piece I had ever created—and gave me complete creative freedom with the design. While it was intimidating to take on something of that scale and responsibility, it also became one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The process pushed me to grow as an artist, strengthened my confidence, and reminded me that some of the greatest opportunities come from saying “yes” to challenges that seem just beyond your current skill set. Seeing the finished piece so well received by the client made all of the uncertainty and hard work worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in creating multi-layered stencil spray paint artwork, transforming personal photographs into detailed, pseudo-realistic paintings. Every piece begins with a custom design process where I create and hand-cut an entirely unique set of stencils for that specific painting. Depending on the complexity of the image, a single artwork may require anywhere from 15 to 50 individual stencils and dozens of carefully layered colors to recreate the depth and detail of the original photograph.
While I’ve completed commissions across a wide variety of subjects, the requests I’ve fielded seem to fall into three main areas: portraits, pets, and automotive artwork. Each commission is unique, and I enjoy the challenge of adapting my stencil process to capture the personality and story behind every subject. One aspect of my process that is especially important to me is collaboration. Before I ever cut the first stencil, I work closely with each client through multiple rounds of digital mock-ups and revisions to ensure the design reflects their vision. Each painting is truly a labor of love. It’s not uncommon for me to spend dozens of hours designing and cutting stencils before I ever pick up a spray can, with my most intricate commission requiring more than 150 hours from concept to completion.
The work I’m most proud of, however, isn’t defined by its complexity—it’s defined by the impact it has on others. I’ve had the privilege to work with a family friend to create memorial portraits for families who have lost children to childhood cancer. Working from photographs and learning about each child’s personality, hobbies, and interests, I incorporated personalized details into every piece to celebrate their life and tell their story. Knowing that these paintings have brought comfort to families during such difficult times has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my artistic journey. Those commissions reminded me that art can be more than something to display—it can preserve memories, honor lives, and create lasting connections.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe one of the most important qualities for success as an artist is being open to new ideas, perspectives, and requests. Every commission and creative challenge is an opportunity to see something through someone else’s eyes, which helps me grow both personally and artistically.
I also believe success comes from balancing confidence in your abilities with the willingness to keep learning. Having faith in my skills allows me to create with purpose, while pushing beyond my comfort zone helps me refine my craft, explore new techniques, and continue evolving as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msolnikcreations.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/msolnik_creations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MSolnikCreations
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHB4mEF66SL9tEqPU7SASQ
