An Inspired Chat with Toni Haas of Huntington Beach, California

Toni Haas shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Toni, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m painting or sketching, I completely lose track of time.

There’s something about bringing a story to life through watercolor, watching the colors move, fade, and blend that feels almost like meditation.

I found that rhythm while creating Goodnight Surf City, and I’ve carried it into my newest project, Time Surfers, with Author Chris Epting.

Both remind me how art can reconnect us to a sense of wonder — to the ocean, to history, and to ourselves.

Creating that bridge between imagination and real places always brings me back to myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Toni Haas — an artist, author, and illustrator based in Huntington Beach, California. I’ve loved art since I could hold a pencil and a paintbrush; creating has always been my way of seeing and sharing the world. My journey began with my watercolor picture book Goodnight Surf City — a heartfelt love letter to our coastal hometown and the magic of living by the ocean.

Goodnight Surf City is a brand dedicated to celebrating Huntington Beach through stories, puzzles, and art that remind families to slow down and love where they live.

That first book inspired the growth of my creative world into three connected brands:

Goodnight Surf City – celebrating the beauty, surf culture, and community spirit of Huntington Beach through story and art.

Instagram: @goodnightsurfcity
Website: www.goodnightsurfcity.com
[email protected]

Hidden History Explorers – an exciting collaboration with local historian and author Chris Epting, where kids “surf through time” to uncover the city’s fascinating past. The first book in the series, Time Surfers, brings Huntington Beach’s hidden history — from Red Car trains to oil derricks — to life through colorful, adventure-filled storytelling.
Release date: TBD

Instagram: @hiddenhistoryexplorers
Website: www.hiddenhistoryexplorers.com
[email protected]

Toni Haas Artist – my personal art brand dedicated to storytelling through watercolor and art for a cause. I create illustrations, and local collaborations that reflect the heart of Surf City culture. Most recently, I had the honor of donating and curating art pieces for The Adrenal Cure Collective fundraiser hosted by the wonderful superwoman/owner, Suzanne Iacono of HB Corner Market in support of Julie Lehman, a wonderful friend and artist from Dallas, Texas.

Visit Julie’s artwork at Jnlehman.com. She is an amazing abstract/representational watercolor artist and I LOVE her work so much! She is extremely talented and one of the kindest people on this earth along with Suzanne Iacono.

Instagram: @tonihaasartist
Website: www.tonihaasart.com
[email protected]

In addition to these projects, I’m currently working on two other new children’s books: Lizards Love Salad, inspired by my grandson Kove, and Turbo Beaks and Froggy Feet, inspired by my grandchildren from Orange County and New Zealand — a whimsical, high-energy adventure about friendship, surfing, and self-discovery.

What makes my work unique is how it connects creativity to community — turning stories, family inspiration, and watercolor art into experiences that encourage kids (and grown-ups) to celebrate where they come from and believe that discovery can start right where their feet hit the sand.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I grew up in Running Springs, a small mountain town in the San Bernardino Mountains, where my parents both worked in ski mountain operations. They were my first and greatest teachers when it came to work. My dad was often up before sunrise, clearing snow from the slopes or blowing snow, while my mom managed the financial side of ticket sales and daily operations. She greeted every guest with warmth and patience, no matter how busy or unpredictable the day became.”

They taught me that it’s not about doing something once — it’s about doing it well and consistently, even when no one’s watching. From them, I learned that hard work isn’t just about effort — it’s about pride, patience, and heart. They gave me the blueprint for everything I do: be steady, be kind, and always finish what you start.

My four siblings and I grew up on the slopes — we were known locally as “The Ski Sessions Family.” I started ski racing at just five years old up to 17 years old, joining the Far West Ski Association (FWSA) team soon after. Those early years on the mountain taught me discipline, teamwork, and grit — how to get up after a fall, how to keep practicing, and how consistency leads to growth. Slide slip and study the course before you race it! The lessons I learned on those early morning training runs still guide me today — the mindset that if you stay steady and keep showing up, you can carve your way through anything.

As I grew older, my creative spirit began to find a home by the ocean. My family often split time between the mountains and Huntington Beach, where I eventually made my home. The balance between my mountain roots and coastal life shaped my art and outlook — calm yet bold, peaceful yet full of energy. That mix of environments, and the work ethic my parents instilled in me, became the foundation of who I am as both an artist, storyteller and a kind soul.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self to trust the process and to be proud of where you are, even when it doesn’t feel like progress yet.

Every long day, every sketch, every small effort adds up just like those early mornings on the mountain watching Mom and Dad work hard without ever giving up.

You don’t have to have it all figured out right away; just keep showing up with heart, stay consistent, and know that the things that make you different will one day become your greatest strengths.

And when life feels still or quiet, trust those seasons too. Those moments when it seems like nothing is happening are often the ones shaping you the most.

Keep creating, keep believing, and remember that consistency matters because it truly does. Every brushstroke, every sunrise, every tiny act of courage will one day connect into something beautiful.

You don’t need to rush to become who you’re meant to be — you’re already becoming her. The same heart that loved color, story, and imagination as a child will carry you further than you ever dreamed.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say yes — the public version of me is very much the real me.

What you see in my art and stories is who I truly am at heart: curious, creative, and deeply connected to the places and people that shaped me.

The colors, the waves, the nostalgia — they’re all extensions of how I see the world.

But like most artists, there’s always more beneath the surface.

The quiet moments in my studio, the messy sketchbook pages, the doubts, and the bursts of inspiration — those are the pieces that don’t always make it into public view, but they’re what give my work its honesty and warmth.

I try to live and create from the same place — where authenticity and imagination meet.

So yes, the public me is real… just framed in watercolors and stories.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had ten years left to live, I’d want every day to feel full — full of love, laughter, art, and meaning.

I’d spend my time creating beauty, connecting with others, and leaving little ripples of kindness everywhere I go. I’d paint more sunrises, hug my family tighter, and tell the people I love just how much they mean to me — every single day.

I’d keep making art that brings people joy, because I believe joy is one of the greatest gifts we can share.

I’d live slower, smile more, and fill each moment with gratitude — for the ocean breeze, for the sound of laughter, for the chance to simply be alive and creating.

If I had ten years left, I wouldn’t chase time — I’d celebrate it. I’d live each day as a masterpiece in progress, one brushstroke of kindness and love at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goodnightsurfcity.com; www.hiddenhistoryexplorers.com; www.tonihaasart.com
• Instagram: @goodnightsurfcity @hiddenhistoryexplorers @explorehiddenhistory @tonihaasartist @tonihaasart @duckfeedingsociety
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonihaas/
• Twitter: @haas_toni17757
• Facebook: Goodnight Surf City; Tonisessionshaas
• Youtube: @ToniHaas-nv5eo

Image Credits
Toni Haas