Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominica Soliz.
Hi Dominica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the henna world began after leaving an abusive marriage in 2002. I was introduced to this artform by a friend who was already doing henna throughout the city in 2003. I started off doing small designs, like hearts, names, stars, etc… or what’s known as “flash” in tattoo circles. After working alongside her for a few months she moved out of state and left me with her upcoming gigs, a little henna mix and the notion to “never let the henna fade”. After that, I just kinda hit the ground running. I became a Sole Proprietor in 2004 as SolTre Creations Henna Body Art. In 2013, after having henna as a side hustle, I fired my boss and decided to be a full time Henna Artist. I rebranded as DomSol Henna Creations in 2014 and have been doing business as such since then in my native city of Houston.
What kept me going was the ever-changing growth in my expression within my work. The constant urge to do better work than I did on the previous client.
With any and all artforms, you have to let it consume you to a degree. Any and everything I do,I involved henna and made sure that every client knew that Houston now had a trendsetting henna artist on her hands.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I think of my journey, I see the beauty in the silver linings outlining some of the dark clouds of the over 23 years I’ve been doing henna in Houston. Outside of doubt coming from family that I could live and survive as an Independent Artist, I had a lot of folks to prove something to, mainly myself.
As a business owner, there are more risks than rewards at times. There are times that vendor fees costed more than I would make at some events. There were times that I would show up to venues and the restaurant be closed for business, or clients no showed and their card would decline for the no show fee.
After COVID the markets have just been different – and in this current climate- folks just aren’t traveling like they used to which means I have to promote more and certainly be as available as possible.
I think some of the struggles that any small business owner has, is the ebb and flow of the economy.
The service I provide is a ‘luxury’, however the service I give my clients is a whole experience. I built my following long before social media was poppin’ so my clients that have rocking with me since about 2006 or 2007 are like family now.
The constants certainly outweigh the challenges –
I recently closed a location at the end of 2025 which made me adjust my availability and hours of operation – that was certainly a challenge I had to face head on but not one I haven’t faced before.
It’s a whole different ballgame when you live appointment by appointment rather than ‘check to check’ – the only constant – is my loyal clients to whom I call my ‘hennAddicts’.
During COVID it was their love donations and support through the shutdown that kept my head above water.
They’re my ‘WHY’
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Henna Art is a generations and centuries old artform – most commonly seen in the Middle Eastern and Muslim communities. I am neither of those things, I am a Chicana, native Houstonian from Hiram Clarke who wanted to feel as pretty as the artwork I was doing. I was introduced to & began doing henna with a friend at local festivals and events.to henna as merely a way to keep my phone on, and also a way to kind of help out my friend with her set up and do a few designs when asked. When I first began, I was doing art by sight- trying to recreate someone else’s design, but that never sat right with me. I wanted to create a design style that more robust that what I was seeing on Pinterest. I began to freestyle my work after maybe the fifth year of my career. As of today, my work is internationally recognized and very distinct. I have literally created my own voice within this beautiful artform.
What am I known for? Creating the urban connection and marketplace for the trend that henna was becoming in the early 2000s. I’ve originated service items called the HTOWN 2 Piece, or the Henna PistolGrip and henna fingershots. I began doing weekly specials that aligned with other well-known advertised specials and hashtags, like 2pc. Tuesday and #WCW.
I don’t just stencil out a piece and trace over it, I create, I feel what my client needs, what protection is required. The service I give is an experience, you may get a history lesson, a design interpretation or you may get a spiritual reading, just depending on the moon and the vibe of the day, as I am also an ordained minister and spiritualist.
I am most proud of the constant evolution of my artistry and of me as a person. October marks three important occasions for me: my shop anniversary, Domestic Violence Awareness, and Cancer Awareness. October 23rd is now celebrated as #HennaHealsHouston Day in our city. Henna has been a source of healing for me as a survivor of domestic violence, restoring my spirit and sense of self-worth. As I shared that energy with my special henna crown recipients, I hope they feel that same upliftment
Throughout the year, I offer free henna crowns to chemo patients, but in October, I serve even more women, sharing energy and celebrating their strength. These crowns help women see their own natural beauty as they “Fight Like a Girl,” and I am honored to play a role in their journey.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
As a NATIVE born and raised hoUStonian – I love our LOYALTY.
I love how we show up for each other, how we protect each other, especially within the Brown & Black commUNITY.
There is NOTHING like the diversity, the comradery, or the SWAG of H-Town.
What I least like about our city now- is that there’s SO MUCH TRAFFIC- no matter the time of day!
Now that I am a mobile service provider, I spend more time on the freeways than I do doing art
Pricing:
- $35 -Sm. Gloves or Foot Overlay
- $50- Both Hand or Feet
- $55-Half Sleeve
- $80 Spinal Vine
- $110- Full Sleeve
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.domsolhtx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hennabangah
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hennabangah
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hennabangah
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hennabangah?lang=en
