Haley Cubell

My work explores the movement, texture, and luminosity of light as it passes through and reflects off glass and translucent surfaces. In my Refractions series, I photograph sunlight as it bends, scatters, and refracts, then translate those fleeting visual moments into layered drawings and paintings. While rooted in realism, the distortions of shape and color often create an obscurity that feels both unfamiliar and intimate. This tension reflects how I experience life in New York City: vibrant yet distorted, challenging yet beautiful. At times, I incorporate self-portraiture, depicting myself as fragmented or unrecognizable—an exploration of identity shaped by the city and its constant demand for growth. I hope my work sparks a sense of wonder, reminding viewers of the extraordinary beauty hidden in ordinary moments. A mentor once told me, “Pay attention to what makes your heart beat faster.” This series embodies that advice.

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 and filters through textured and colored glass. When drawing, I focus on capturing the color, shape, texture, and movement, hoping to preserve the fleeting beauty of an ordinary subject exposed to an extraordinary circumstance. The sun has a remarkable way of forcing beauty into daily life. My work serves as a reminder that there is still great beauty in the world, even amid the man-made. A close friend and mentor once told me, "Pay attention to what makes your heart beat faster." This work embodies that advice.