EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Artistic World of Solenn Heussaff
As one of the defining it-girls of the 2010s, Solenn Heussaff is no stranger to the spotlight. But while many may know her for her showbiz career, Solenn has also shifted more of her time and attention to her work as a visual artist. It’s a side of her that began as a self-taught hobby when she was young and has since grown to be a major factor in her life.
Over the years, Solenn’s paintings and artworks have been displayed in galleries and exhibits as she’s built a name for herself as an artist whose work extends beyond the big and small screen. It’s an aspect that, contrary to what some may think, Solenn takes seriously, and as she further immerses herself in craft and art, the star is taking each opportunity as a learning lesson of growth.
RELATED: A Portrait of Solenn Heussaff as an Artist
Her Art Fair PH Debut
Given her platform, Solenn hasn’t had trouble with people seeing her artworks. But she also takes part and pride in major events and exhibits in the art world, which recently included her first participation at Art Fair PH. During the 2026 edition last February 6-8, Solenn’s collaboration work with Leeroy New and Vito Selma, which was initially unveiled at Greenblet 5 in 2025, was included as part of the many artworks displayed at the massive event.
“The moment I found out who I was going to be with, I agreed right away, without even knowing exactly what the project was about,” she tells MEGA Asia over Zoom regarding the sustainability-focused project. “I just knew that they wanted to reuse things that people discard. But, working with people like Leeroy New, who’s known to work with discarded materials, and with Vito Selma, who works with a sustainability effort as well in his company, it was like a no-brainer for me.”
Solenn admits that, even if she has been dabbling in painting for years, she still considers herself somewhat of a beginner, at least when it comes to experimenting outside her main canvas of acrylic. So, the collaboration was an opportunity she was happy to be a part of. “I really wanted to learn from the great Vito and Leeroy. And, of course, knowing that this is for the good of communities and other people. It was challenging, but it was such a great learning experience for me, and it definitely kind of helped me want to move forward, try to find an angle as well to my art pieces, and maybe even do more collaborations in the future. Because all of this, for me, is really a learning process.”
The hard work she put into the project felt even more rewarding knowing that it was chosen to be part of this year’s Art Fair, which is a first for the artist. “I’ve never joined Art Fair. I’ve always wanted to,” she shares. “So when they told us that they would be showing our pieces there, I was really happy, because I know that the Art Fair is such a great venue.”
The milestone was the latest for Solenn, who has been building her artistic portfolio over the years with her solo work and collaborations. Ask her, though, where her sensibilities lie, and she makes the case that she’s open to doing both. “I’m an artist, so I love to work on my own. I love being alone in my studio. I like the peace. I like the quiet. But the great thing about collaborative work is that you really kind of get to go out of that bubble, out of the things that you actually know, and you kind of discover the unknown. And that’s where sometimes you get even more creative, because you get so inspired being able to talk to other people.”
She adds, “When I paint in my studio, it’s really a solo process. So the great thing about collaboration is that you really get the kind of throw out ideas from each other and get to learn from other artists who have different ways of working or different techniques. For me, they both have different positive aspects.”
An Artist in Her Element
As much as she has made a name for herself as an actress, Solenn has also strived to sharpen her pov as a visual artist and build her own space, both in an actual studio where she does most of her work, as well as a mental space to put her in the right mindset to get the job done.
“You do need to be inspired to be able to create good work. But at the same time, I think more than inspiration, you really need to be consistent, because sometimes you really just don’t feel like it,” she states matter-of-factly. “The moment you don’t feel like it, it’s so easy to put things on hold for such a long time. So it’s really about showing up.”
Like with many things in life, Solenn highlights the importance of putting in the actual work and being present in the moment. In her case, that means being in her studio to sketch, dabble, draw, or research until that spark of inspiration arrives. And she understands that inspiration, or even just the energy to get up and do what you got to do, doesn’t always come, which is why Solenn believes in the power of showing up even when it feels hard to do so.
“Most of the time you won’t feel like it talaga. It’s when you’re really in those times where you’re having such a hard time coming up with a new concept or a new style, or new colors. The harder you work, the more you really kind of break through. So it’s really consistency, it’s really showing up and trying even when you don’t feel like it.”
To that end, Solenn locks in once she finds her sweet spot. As she shares, “When it comes to art, I’m in my own zone, and it’s so magical. And sometimes I can finish a piece in a week. Of course, it depends again on the feeling, but once I’m in my zone, usually I make sure that I start my next painting right away when it’s done, or I do two or three simultaneously.”
A More Intentional Comeback
The past few years were a period of major change for Solenn. Motherhood became a major focus for her as she stepped back from showbiz to raise her two kids, Thylane Katana and Maëlys Lionel, and work on her art projects. For as long as most of us knew Solenn on our screens, she has been working non-stop as an actress in TV and film, hosting, modeling, and even singing. She did it all, but as she got older, she realized that there were other things in her life that she wanted to prioritize.
“After working hard for so many years, and kind of taking a pause then, now I can take a step back and be like, Okay, I can choose the things that really made me happy and the projects that speak more to me. I really didn’t want to go straight to work, because I wanted to enjoy the moments and really just be a present mother. But now that my children are getting a little older, it’s easier for me to focus on myself a bit more.”
That moment came in 2025, when she made her return to acting by reprising her role as Cassiopea in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, and acting in her first movie in four years in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Unmarry as Maya. “When they offered the project of Unmarry, I felt like it was like a mature role that I could relate to because I’m in that age where I have friends who are divorcing, and like any relationship, whether it’s a friendship or romantic, it’s never always butterflies. It’s about working hard for the things you want.”
Despite the long absence from the silver screen, Solenn’s performance was well-received by viewers and critics and also garnered her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, proving that she still had the magic. “I accepted it because it was not a huge role. So it’s something that I could really focus on, and still, at the same time, be present with my kids. And the role was great, I think, for a first comeback after a long time.”
Solenn plans on continuing her acting comeback, but unlike in years past, she’s a lot more intentional with the projects she takes. “I’m hoping that in the next few years I get to… I don’t need to do 20 films, kahit one movie a year or two. Like that’s really what I’m aiming for.” It isn’t about just getting her name on the screen, but spending her time and effort on roles, projects, and creative endeavors that resonate with her, which showcase her evolving artistry that’s rooted in growth and learning from her experiences.
“All the things I’ve been able to achieve and everything, it’s encouraging. Because achievement is obviously always encouraging, but it doesn’t change the way I look at things or the way I do things. I always make sure that I allow space for uncertainty. That’s where magic happens: when you’re uncertain, you usually work harder. So I don’t change the way I do things. I just go with the flow, and I leave space for growth and honesty, and then the rest just kind of happens.”
Art Will Always Be Art
With a successful acting comeback and Art Fair PH debut in the books and future art exhibits in the works, Solenn is finding her stride as an artist. Yet, despite her success, she is also a student of the craft, constantly evolving and absorbing what she can. More than resting on her laurels, Solenn makes it a point that she’s eyeing 2026 as a year of further growth as she runs through her lengthy checklist of goals she hopes to achieve.
“I’ve been able to do a few exhibits, but there’s always more to do, and there’s always more to learn, and I have a million things I need to learn, even with materials in general. I’d love to experiment with more mixed media, maybe more collaborative works as well. And a dream talaga of mine is to maybe have an Art Basil, or maybe my own solo booth at the Art Fair next year. I’d love to be able to also experience exhibiting outside of the country and to just kind of discover the market as well and what people want and like, but at the same time keeping my identity in my work.”
Whether it be in painting or acting, Solenn thrives in art that speaks to her. And at this point in her life, she’s honed and continues to hone her artistry, which finds even greater purpose and impact in the era of generative AI as human-made art is increasingly being replaced in favor of prompts and AI art. For Solenn, who grew up surrounded by creativity and is now raising two children, art is still needed now more than ever.
“I feel like art holds what cannot be automated. Basically, there’s always truth to art. There’s human experience. You know, ChatGPT and Gemini and all those other things, it’s such a mind-blowing thing. But in all its greatness, it also has a lot of bad things. When it comes to art in general, it carries memory and culture. It’s things that are rooted in experience and not in data. It’s really based on lived experiences and emotional truth. I feel like art is definitely rooted in culture, human intention, and human experience, which is why it’ll never, never get beaten by any robot in the future.”
The interview had been edited for length and clarity.
Featured Image: SOLENNART (via Instagram)
The post EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Artistic World of Solenn Heussaff first appeared on MEGA.
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Artistic World of Solenn Heussaff
Trending Updates Central
No comments: