Hailey Stardust: A One-on-One with the Denver Artist

Thanks to the hard work of many, Denver will forever be known for its thriving arts and culture scene. From galleries and museums to street corner performances, locals and tourists are bound to find something that piques their interest. This community is dying to be explored by creatives like Hailey Stardust.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the scene, but artists have not lost their muse. They continue to work and create during these difficult times.

OUT FRONT had the opportunity to chat with Hailey Wheeler, also known as Hailey Stardust. Passionate about art since childhood, she likes to focus on themes of inclusivity and add some psychedelic flare to make her work pop. She also started a tattoo apprenticeship at Glass Moon Tattoo, an all-female owned and operated shop located on South Huron St.Hi, Hailey! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me. How have you been holding up and dealing with COVID and these crazy times?
I am really trying to take everything day-by-day, like most of us. I have still been working, so that has been kind of helping with my sanity, and just making art. They really keep me going.

How did you first get into making art and being an artist?
I have been making art for as long as I can remember. My mom was actually an artist, and she went to the art university in Laguna Beach, California. So, I always grew up around her art. She made murals for me in my room as a kid, and she always kind of helped inspire me to always draw, color, and really create whatever I was feeling. I always had a thing for art.

What inspires your specific style of art and the kind of images that show up in what you do?
My inspiration comes from things in my everyday life, things that I am very passionate about and things that inspire me to be the most authentic version of myself. I think we all need to focus on that, but I also try to influence other people. I love body positivity, mental health art, LGBTQ pieces, and there is always a little hint of my stardust universe, psychedelic side. I have always kind of felt that we are all connected in this beautiful universe, so I have always wanted to show that through my art as well.

Why do you think showing that kind of art, art that is inclusive of everyone, is so important right now?
I think it is so beautiful to make everyone feel seen and welcomed. Really give everyone a piece that makes them feel like, ‘Wow, I’m represented.’ Throughout history, we have seen so much changing in art. I feel like lately, in this modern time, it is such a beautiful spot to be as a creator because there is no limit. You can draw whatever you are feeling and make everyone feel inclusive. It is very beautiful.

What are some of your favorite pieces that you have worked on, or that you have created?
Oh, that is a good question! I have been doing a lot of digital art lately, and I did this one that was really kind of personal for me. I did like a Bob’s Burgers piece, like fan art, but I wanted to represent the Black Lives Matter movement because I was going down to the protests. I think I made it in June, and at the time, I was inspired by two of my really good friends who I actually call mom and dad.

They brought ketchup and mustard bottles down to the protests filled with water to spray people’s faces after they got pepper sprayed and helped them wash their face off. They made me think of how I could see Bob and Linda from Bob’s Burgers also helping protesters. So, I twisted a fan art piece together to show the Black Lives Matter movement, and I really enjoyed that.It is awesome that you are focusing on the protests and stuff like that. Do you often try to work current themes into your art?
To be honest, this is actually the first time for me. I feel like 2020 helped me find my voice, and everything going on helped me focus on what I want my art to say. We all have a voice.

Are you involved with any local artist groups, or do you most do stuff more on your own?
Right now, I am kind of on my own and still trying to find my spot in the community.

Are you originally from Denver?
I moved to Denver about a year ago. Before that, I was down in Colorado Springs for about five years, and before that, I was kind of everywhere.

Related Article: From Gowns to Masks: Fashion Designer Christian Siriano

How do you feel like art in Denver kind of compares to all the other places you have been?
I think the Denver art scene is phenomenal. I love all the talent that we are surrounded by all the time. There are so many beautiful things happening.

During this time, are you working on creating a lot of new pieces with some of the downtime?
Definitely. I am always creating pieces. There are so many things I am always working on.

Do you have any plans of trying to sell certain things by a certain date, or trying to do a show, or are you taking things as they come?
I think now, I am just taking as it comes. I always have a huge list of goals, but definitely with COVID right now, it is putting galleries on hold and First Fridays are slowly coming back, so definitely going to get my foot back into the community as we start gearing back up. I also started a tattoo apprenticeship, so I have been focusing a lot of my time on that as well. I am super excited to make some more tattoos here soon.

To stay up-to-date with Wheeler, follow her on Instagram.

Photos Courtesy of Hailey Stardust