We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Haley Bass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Haley below.
Haley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My path to painting murals full-time has been interesting to say the least. I have always had a love for art. I was lucky to have a teacher in high school who poured so much of her time and energy into my art education. I grew so much in the years under her instruction, and my passion for art grew only deeper in that season. I was asked to paint my first mural my senior year of high school. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but jumped in with both feet, excited about the opportunity that lay ahead. And I fell in love with it. I knew I still had so much to learn though. Murals are so much different from studio art, but I think that’s what I loved. So, I worked hard throughout college cold emailing companies and business, developing a network of connections, and researching and learning more about the mural industry. I booked several murals over those years, finding my style more and more as a muralist with each one, and picking up tips and tricks of the trade along the way. I took a break from art for about a year to work another job after college, but August 2023, jumped back into full-time murals. While I have always loved art and designing and painting murals, it was the year that I took off and stepped away from the industry that only solidified that in fact my place was right back there as a mural artist. And I haven’t looked back! Continuing to work hard, and learning new skills, I am excited to see what the Lord would have in store for me and my business in the coming years.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Absolutely! So I kind of answered how I got into this industry in the last question, but I’d love to tell you more about what I do specifically. I paint murals, so large scale artwork and painting. I focus more on the commercial side of the industry, so partnering with business and companies small and large, creating beauty in their spaces. I am a muralist, yes, but more than just he physical act of painting, my goal is to create a custom art installation for the company that not only positively adds to the brand image, but intentionally connects with their target demographics! Murals are such an amazing way to boost a brand’s engagement and social impressions! My background in not only in design, but also marketing and social media strategies assists in creating artwork that not only is beautiful and unique and eye-catching, but also authentically tells your brand’s story. Art is my love and passion, for sure. But is it the intentionality behind what I do and seeing people and companies brought together through artwork that really keeps the fire lit.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! I would love for my business to one day be a beacon of light to others in the mural industry. Not only providing support, resources, community and education for other artists, but using these gifts and the skills to serve others. I would love to see my business grow to a point where I can donate murals as opportunities for community outreach, blessings and pockets of joy to low income schools or charities, or even utilize them missions opportunities in third world countries.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Not a resource, per-say, but when I first started I didn’t have a category for the value that community could offer to me as a small business owner and artist. Social media is such a wonderful thing, and through it, I have made so many connections with other artists, both local and far away. Conversations with them have provided encouragement in dry season, and an endless treasure trove of wisdom. Every artist has such different experiences, skill sets, and methods, and we can all benefit in some way from the knowledge and insight of another person! I wish this was something that I had recognized and tapped into earlier.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @haleybassmurals
- Email: [email protected]