Sol is an illustrator based in their hometown of San Antonio, Texas.
Hi Sol. Can you tell us a little bit about your tape and your song selections?
Hello! My tape, titled “In My Head” is truly a love letter to the quiet moments in life when existing is loud. As someone who craves a sense of adventure but longs for the sentimentality of home, I wanted to create a mixtape that exudes the joy of being alone, the yearning for a place in the world, drive to discover oneself through the Earth and all its gifts, and the understanding of the inner workings of one’s own inner mountains. The songs chosen evoke that sense of wonder as well as honor that emotion.
What direction did you take with your cover art, and what was your process?
I definitely wanted to elicit an adventurous energy with the cover art where the mountains are both beautiful and daunting, much like emotions and feelings. I also wanted to use cool tones for the mountains to give a calm and wondrous feeling paired with the warm light of the dawn and the sun so that the mood feels like giving yourself a warm hug.
As for my process, I always begin with a moodboard. This step helped me keep my original ideas tangible as I created the artwork and curated the playlist. I am a very audio-visual person, so I listened to music that reminded me of the feeling I wanted to evoke and set out on creating! This piece specifically is all digital, completed on my iPad with Procreate.
What are your fave album covers, records with a great music and artwork combo, or musical projects with a visual component?
I am a HUGE fan of The Decemberists and their album covers are always so beautiful, with my two absolute favorites being the albums What a Terrible World, What A Beautiful World and I’ll Be Your Girl. Illustrated by Carson Ellis, the cover art is such a gorgeous representation of the music within, as well as being absolutely mesmerizing.
What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World – The Decemberists
2015, Captiol Records
Artwork: Carson Ellis
I’ll Be Your Girl – The Decemberists
2018, Captiol Records
Artwork: Carson Ellis
What did you listen to growing up?
My father is very passionate about music, being a musician himself, so I was raised on a little bit of everything growing up. Though my favorites that we would listen to on long drives would have to be Ben Harper, Bob Marley, John Denver, and Queen.
And what’s on heavy rotation for you at the moment?
I try my hardest to listen to a little of everything still, though as of right now AURORA’s album A Different Kind of Human as well as John Denver’s album Poems, Prayers, and Promises are on pretty heavy rotation. Both are drastically different genres but both are filled with so much emotion, I can’t help but be drawn to them!
My father is very passionate about music, being a musician himself, so I was raised on a little bit of everything growing up. Though my favorites that we would listen to on long drives would have to be Ben Harper, Bob Marley, John Denver, and Queen.
And what’s on heavy rotation for you at the moment?
I try my hardest to listen to a little of everything still, though as of right now AURORA’s album A Different Kind of Human as well as John Denver’s album Poems, Prayers, and Promises are on pretty heavy rotation. Both are drastically different genres but both are filled with so much emotion, I can’t help but be drawn to them!
What’s happening in your creative world at the moment?
As of now, I am a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago! I have recently moved from being the Creative Director for Manifest Urban Arts Festival to being a full time freelancer! I am so excited to see where the future is going to take me!
As of now, I am a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago! I have recently moved from being the Creative Director for Manifest Urban Arts Festival to being a full time freelancer! I am so excited to see where the future is going to take me!
Where can we find you?
My website can be found here solsalinasillustration.com and I can also be found on Instagram: instagram.com/solsticeillo
Thanks, Sol
TRACKLIST
Maggie Rogers - Alaska / AURORA - Daydreamer / The Head And The Heart - Honey Come Home / Molly Tuttle - Sunflower, Vol. 6 / Vashti Bunyan - Wayward / Toro y Moi - Rose Quartz / Iniko - Luna / The Decemberists - Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then) / Mountain Man - Take Me Home, Country Roads / Bedouine - One Of These Days / Adam Torres - Morning Rain / Jealous of the Birds - Goji Berry Sunset / The Decemberists - A Beginning Song ︎
My website can be found here solsalinasillustration.com and I can also be found on Instagram: instagram.com/solsticeillo
Thanks, Sol
TRACKLIST
Maggie Rogers - Alaska / AURORA - Daydreamer / The Head And The Heart - Honey Come Home / Molly Tuttle - Sunflower, Vol. 6 / Vashti Bunyan - Wayward / Toro y Moi - Rose Quartz / Iniko - Luna / The Decemberists - Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then) / Mountain Man - Take Me Home, Country Roads / Bedouine - One Of These Days / Adam Torres - Morning Rain / Jealous of the Birds - Goji Berry Sunset / The Decemberists - A Beginning Song ︎