Today we’d like to introduce you to Sólveig Eva Magnúsdóttir.
Hi Sólveig Eva, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m an actress and an illustrator. I studied acting in England, did training programmes all over Europe, and then moved to New York. Today I split my time between Brooklyn and Reykjavík, with representation on the East and West Coast of the US as well as Europe. I’ve always drawn and feel like storytelling in all its forms stems from the same need to empathize, understand, share, explore, and voice feelings and experiences that are otherwise difficult to put into words.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Acting is a very codependent art form. I recommend building an authentic community of like-minded individuals to keep yourself sane and supported. The women I founded my theatre company with, Spindrift, have been my lifeline, as well as other wonderful artists I’ve met along the way. Acting depends on funding and right collaborators. Commercial acting often depends heavily on fitting neatly into a certain box. Illustrations, my own productions and my own storytelling outlets have been vital to keep my sense of self, my agency, my authentic creativity and my self-worth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an illustrator, comic and animator, I focus on nature, portraiture, femininity and female-identifying experiences such as those of bodily autonomy, pleasure, resiliency and healing. I also love exploring relationships, parenthood and the multiplicity of identity and belonging. Today I’m working on a full-length graphic novel about Space Mama Piggy who lost her sense of self in her duty to others and goes on a quest through her galaxy thinking she’s reclaiming her children, but really she’s reclaiming herself. I love her sweetness. She makes me feel like anxiety, regret, rumination, guilt, shame are somewhat silly and lovable aspects of the human condition that don’t define us, and that’s the message I want to share with her readers. I’ve received two grants for this piece from Iceland (from Myndstef and Myndlistarsjóður) and published a Proof of Concept issue which can be found in a few comic stores in New York and on my website solaevadraws.com.
As an actress, I’ve performed on HBO, TruTV, Netflix, Showtime, indie films, commercial films and through crazy explosions of creativity on the fringe theatre circuit. I’m currently directing a gorgeous play “We’ll Dance on the Ash of the Apocalypse” my friend Melissa-Kelly Franklin wrote with actors Bergdís Júlía Jóhannsdóttir and Arnar Hauksson and my theatre company Spindrift about global warming and women’s rights. I’m also preparing a performance by the same talented playwright which I’ll be performing in at the next fringe festival circuit.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I think we remember so easily the embarrassing things, the life lessons, confusing moments, the scary stuff – it’s our survival instinct I guess. But once when I was about five years old, I insisted my mom should sit outside relaxing in the sun while I made her snacks after work, reversing our roles. I carefully (and rather clumsily) arranged cookies in the shape of a flower, and then I tried cutting her a cucumber for a sandwich. I remember her now sitting rather nervously as I peeked from the kitchen. I cut my finger (very slightly with a butter knife) and she came rushing back inside. I had just failed at something I’d been excited to achieve. A sad flop, hurtful inability to treat someone I loved. But mom hugged me and said all these beautiful words of love, and how she bragged about me at work constantly…! It feels oh so sweet to hear such words of love, admiration and encouragement when you fail at something new and difficult.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.solaeva.com
- Instagram: @solaeva and @solaevadraws
- Other: www.solaevadraws.com
