Interview

Mar 29

Peshi Haas

Peshi Haas is an established artist with a heavy focus on classic and contemporary abstract architecture. She attended The School of Visual Arts in New York City, where she obtained a BFA in fine arts. Her art has a profound composition and whimsical brush stroke.

Peshi creates paintings and drawings of international cityscapes—of roads less traveled. She is best known for her commissioned works, which create scenes of nostalgia and sentimental meaning for clients. Over the years, Peshi has gone on to show internationally as well as in Miami, New York, New Jersey, and Brooklyn. Her work has gained international acclaim and she has been named as a travel artist by both collectors and art critics. She is an active member of several art groups and is in constant contact with her mentors who are prestigious artists in America and Europe.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born in Brooklyn, NY into a loving Jewish family. I’ve always been creative in the arts. As a kid, I loved writing, poetry and drawing. My parents sent me to art classes at a very young age. I went to an all-girls academic high school, where my artistic abilities were forced to come second to my studies.
I began college, majoring in business, as all of my family members are a part of a family business. After one year, I decided to apply to art school. Luckily, I was accepted to the School of Visual Arts and that’s where I was educated for the next four years. In my fourth year, I was on the road to developing my niche. After one year out of school, I was teaching part time at my Alma Matta, while at the same time creating in my studio, trying to make it as a modern artist. Later that year, I had my first solo show in Tribeca.”

What inspires you most?

“I'm really inspired by international architecture. The archway in particular, is an element that always catches my eye and is often the subject matter of my drawings and paintings. The more depth in an archway, the more inspired I am!
I also love a good composition—so if I’m at a scene and I see I can capture a great composition via photography, I’ll most likely be able to do so on canvas as well.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“Feelings of nostalgia are a constant message in my works. I was recently quoted in a publication by saying, ‘If its not meaningful, I can’t paint it.’ It’s really true. I was always a wistful person. I enjoy painting the lesser known historic architecture, like ancient roads in iconic cities.
I love to paint structures that hold a legacy. A few years ago, I launched a project called The Bricks that Built Us. This is where a family hires me to go view their home, hear their story, listen to their memories, and ultimately paint their home for them. Emotion is always a part of these art works.”

How would you describe your work?

“I'm a modern artist who has an abstract style. I paint with acrylic paint using expressionistic strokes, with an oil stick on top. While the architecture in my art work is visible, the overall work is modern in notion. Recently, my watercolor works are more representational with an ethereal vibe.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Henri Mattisse, Max Beckmann and Marc Chagall are the artists that have had the most influence on me.”

What is your creative process like?

“I always begin with my camera at the scene. Whether I’m in the US, Europe or the Middle East, I must take my own photos for composition reasons. Placement and dramatic use of dark and light is vital.
I then go back to my studio with the photo and I draw with charcoal or graphite on paper to decide on composition. When I’m satisfied with the composition, I'm off to my easel. I paint with acrylics and all different kinds of mediums. I constantly step back from the painting to check on composition, proportion and use of negative and positive space.

“I love to paint structures that hold a legacy.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Artists have the opportunity to address a wide variety issues. Art is getting the attention it deserves, now more than ever.
On a personal note, because of my call for nostalgia and history, I’m using my talent to remind the world of the past. I once created a series devoted to Kristallnacht, an event described as ‘the dawn of the Holocaust’. The group of work gained a lot of attention and evoked emotions from both old and young art lovers.
I’m currently working on a large painting with beautiful Viennese structures, depicting a historic event. My goal as an artist is to get people thinking about the past, and to not let go of historic things, events or feelings.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I’ve been exhibiting on and off in New York City, New Jersey and Miami for the last twenty years. The most exciting show was at Spectrum Miami and The Prince Street Gallery in Chelsea New York this past summer.”