Meet Harley Spencer | artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Harley Spencer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Harley, why did you pursue a creative career?
The truth is, I didn’t choose an artistic career, it chose me. I’ve dedicated my entire life to creative work, and at this point, I simply don’t know how to do anything else. In a way, I think that’s both my uniqueness and my curse. I just can’t live without making art, it’s not really a choice anymore.
Some people think I’m an introvert because I often avoid social events and I’m not great at small talk. In reality, art is my way of communicating with the world. It’s how I express what matters to me and find others who resonate with it.
Artists tend to feel the world very deeply, and verbal communication can be emotionally draining for many of us. Art is how I speak, just without words.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m originally from the USSR of the 1980s, and a lot of my work is rooted in nostalgia for that time. Back when we didn’t have the internet, and we played outside all day. When color TVs were considered a luxury, we listened to music on cassette players, and we played 8-bit video games. We were naive and carefree. Life felt long and full of possibilities.

My paintings are infused with those feelings. Through them, I try to share my personal experience with the viewer, the kind of experience that has shaped me since those early years. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from galleries, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share that part of my story.

If you ask me whether it’s been easy, I’ll be honest. The hardest thing for me would be to do something I don’t love or to work a job I hate. And I’m lucky. I do what I love most and what I can’t live without. But even that requires a huge amount of self-discipline.

Many people assume that being an artist means working whenever you feel like it. I approach it very seriously. I wake up at 6 a.m. and I start working right after breakfast and a short walk. My workday ends at 5 p.m. and at that point I put the brush down and leave the studio. I take weekends off and on Monday I start again.

If someone invites me to lunch in the middle of the day or asks me to lie by the pool, I can’t just drop everything and go. I say, “I’m working,” and I’ll meet them only after my workday is over. Because if you don’t take your work seriously, no one else will either. And this doesn’t just apply to art. It goes for any kind of freelance career. If I only worked when I felt inspired, I’d probably have only three finished paintings total.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I absolutely love showing my friends around my favorite spots, but it really depends on the friend.

If they’re into nature and spirituality, I always take them to one of my favorite places: Aguacate Sanctuary of Love. It’s a little farm where tame bunnies run around your feet, you can enjoy delicious vegan food, and even pat the side of a massive, one-horned bull. They have rescued farm animals you can feed by hand. It’s such a beautiful place to recharge your energy.

I also love long walks through Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. The atmosphere there is so peaceful and full of charm. And if you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins at Hobie Island Beach. It’s a perfect place if you love quiet, secluded beaches.

Now if my friend is into city life, well, in that case, I’m total boogie. I’d definitely take them to Delilah on a Thursday night for jazz dinner, or to Jaya at The Setai, where they have beautiful live shows every evening.

The food at Contessa is amazing, especially their meatballs. Toward the end of the week, we’d put on a mini dresses and go to Sexy Fish. I don’t drink, but their mocktail menu is incredible. We’d sit at the bar, share gossip, and watch the mermaids dance.

For people-watching, we’d go to Cipriani. We’d get a corner booth with a view of the whole room and just take in the scene. Some of the most beautiful men and women in Miami go there.

If you’re heading to Cipriani, please dress up. Actually, dress up in Miami more often in general. I want to see more well-dressed people, or at least people wearing clothes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That’s a great question. Back in the 2000s, I had a roommate named Nadya who dreamed of becoming a TV host. People were skeptical. At the time she didn’t fit the typical standards for television, and she even had a speech impediment. A few years later, I turned on the TV at 7 a.m., and there she was, slicing zucchini on some morning show and sharing a breakfast recipe. I still think about her whenever I’m low on motivation.

Throughout my life, I’ve been lucky to meet people who’ve inspired me in different ways. But more than anyone, I’m especially grateful to my husband, who supports me no matter what. I’ve had moments of doubt and burnout, but he’s always been my most loyal fan. And honestly, when someone loves you that much, you feel like you just can’t let them down.

I also really enjoy reading biographies of successful people. I look for those key turning points that helped them push through. And I’ve noticed one thing they all seem to have in common: an unshakable belief in themselves and a deep obsession with what they do. Sometimes that belief bordered on delusion, unrealistic expectations, even madness. But in the end, it worked. That taught me that you should never give up. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. And the opposite is true too.

I think success tends to follow the most stubborn and hopeless dreamers. Maybe what we all need is a little bit of Nadya in us.

Website: https://hs-artist.com/

Instagram: @harley_spencer_art