Meet hayley barker | visual artist

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

Hi hayley, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“You know what will happen if you stop – but you dont know what will happen if you keep going, and the possibilities there are endless.” This means to me that no matter what it is always important to keep making your art, even if you think its bad, or no one cares, or there is no point. Because someday, someone will like it, and there will be a reason to it all, but theres no way you CAN get to that possibility if you stop. I think it is so important to keep in mind even small steps over time can create huge change in your practice when you look back.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been making art for mostly my entire life, I started out drawing video game characters when I was a kid.

During my time in college I was introduced to installation art and sculpture work, and I clicked with it right away. I really loved working with large sculptural pieces but it also gets hard to find space to store and make work like that, which is what lead me to soft sculpture & textiles.

There is so much to learn when it comes to textile art, its so expansive in many different directions, and the experimentation that comes with fabrics and techniques makes it a never-ending learning experience which I love.

Today I got to where I am just my simply continuing to make art. Making friends within the artist community will always get you places as you all learn and grow your craft together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
drink: hi-dive, a great little concert venue bar on broadway! never seen a bad show there 🙂

eat:
zepplin station ~ its one of those food court places with a bunch of different restaurants in one. the sushi place is my favorite! and its also got a super cute aesthetic in there.

visit:
meow wolf!! very one of a kind experience.

hang out:
first friday of every month event on santa fe street is always fun ~ all the galleries do an opening for free and there are tons of other things to do around there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Id love to dedicate my shoutout to the art department at MSU Denver, I dont think id be anywhere near where i am today in my art practice and life in general if it wasnt for the time i spent there as it opened my eyes to so many possibilities within the realm of different types of fine art.

Website: hayleyjo.me

Instagram: @starrsprite

Twitter: @starrsprite