We recently connected with Judy Haas and have shared our conversation below.

Judy , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Perseverance has been the key to being a successful artist. Each step forward has been a testament to the beauty of resilience. In 1985, I embarked on my professional art journey with an inaugural gallery exhibition in Aspen, Colorado. Though out the past 40 years, I have continued to showcase my diverse body of work in galleries across the United States and even in London, exploring various mediums to express my artistic vision. I believe that nurturing a talent requires dedication, time, and patience. I feel fortunate to have the chance to express myself as an artist every day.

Judy , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. From a young age, I was drawn to the visual arts and had the privilege of growing up in a community of well known and talented artists. In my earlier years as an artist, I was well known for the pastels I created of trout. I was also influenced by Ernst Haeckel and his glorious scientific drawings, and I created a body of work on ceramics.

Now, I call the picturesque mountain town of Telluride, Colorado, my home. Here I have established my own gallery where I showcase the artwork that I am passionate about creating. These days I find myself drawn to embellishing original vintage music, film and European posters.

My website is www.southfirstreet.com
My gallery is: South Fir Street Gallery

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Many people inquire about my retirement plans, especially now that I am 71 years old. However, I have no intention of retiring as I am deeply passionate about what I do. Interacting with visitors to my gallery brings me immense joy, and I find great fulfillment in creating art. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of serving loyal customers who return year after year. The thought of bringing beauty into their homes, where it can be cherished every day, is truly gratifying to me. With the current work I’m immersed in, I feel like I am collaborating with artist from different eras, breathing new life into timeless posters they once created.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Over the years, I’ve explored various avenues to supplement my creative work. I’ve taken on roles as a waitress, a bartender, a cleaner, a personal assistant, property management, and even ventured into designing small homes in remote rural areas. I lovingly raised a child in the tranquility of the mountains, in a rustic cabin lacking modern conveniences like running water and electricity. Despite the challenges, the low cost of living enabled me to follow my dream of being an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.southfirstreet.com
• Facebook: Judy Haas

Image Credits

You will need to call me if you want image information. 970-948-7997