Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Haley Cubell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Haley, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
Art had always been a significant part of my identity as a kid and young adult, but after taking college art classes, I lost my inspiration and confidence in creating. A close friend, mentor, and coworker of mine told me that to find purpose and inspiration, “follow what makes your heart beat faster”. Around that time, I attended an art fair with my sister, and the experience left my heart racing with excitement. Inspired and motivated by my friend’s advice, I slowly began creating again, making four colored pencil drawings over the next few months—a medium I hadn’t touched much in the four years since college.
Although I hadn’t planned to apply for an art fair anytime soon, I happened to check the website and saw that there were only two days left to submit for an upcoming fair in Brooklyn. The application required four pieces, so I submitted the only four I had. To my surprise, I was accepted into the fair. Moving forward, I felt unprepared, unworthy, and terrified—but accepting the opportunity regardless was a massive step for me.
In the following three months, I worked feverishly, creating art whenever I could and starting to envision myself as a practicing artist. The sense of fulfillment I gained from those months marked my reentry into the art world and opened my eyes to the incredible possibilities that arise when I act with boldness and listed to instinct.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Brooklyn-based fine artist working primarily in colored pencil. In addition to my artistic practice, I am deeply passionate about environmental conservation — an influence that remains central to my work.
Living in New York City, where the streets are often dim and gray, I crave the vibrant colors and organic forms of the natural world. I seek out and celebrate moments of beauty within the man-made environment, finding inspiration in the interplay between light and structure.
My Refractions series explores the extraordinary visuals created when light—or simulated sunlight—interacts with conventional materials. These images evoke a sense of childlike wonder for me, and I hope they spark that same feeling in others.
In my studio, I photograph light as it bounces off of and permeates textured and colored glass. When drawing I focus on the color, shape, texture and movement with the hope of capturing the fleeting beauty of an ordinary subject exposed to an extraordinary circumstance.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to be a full-time ‘conventionally successful’ artist to truly call myself an artist. For a long time, I felt like I couldn’t claim that identity since I hadn’t gone to art school, found gallery representation, or spent all my time creating. It took me a while to realize that none of those things define what it means to be an working artist.
What really helped me shift my mindset was connecting with other curious and generous artists at all different stages of their careers. Being part of a supportive creative community showed me that being an artist isn’t about meeting certain criteria — it’s about creating, expressing yourself, and embracing the identity regardless of how much time or money you have to put into it.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that it forces me to view the world through a different lens — noticing colors, shapes, shadows, light, and fleeting moments that others often overlook. This perspective allows me to find beauty in my surroundings, even during difficult times, especially in our current political climate. It helps me stay optimistic and grounded, finding inspiration in places where others might not.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haleycubellstudio.com/
- Instagram: haleycubell
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-cubell
Image Credits
Camille Shaw