Ep.#38 - Divine Disasters: Inside Hailey Gearo’s Art Journey

Show Notes – Divine Disasters w/ Hailey Gearo 🎨✨

 In this episode of The In-Between Podcast, Jake and Leah sit down with Austin-based abstract artist Hailey Gearo (Divine Disasters). Hailey opens up about her creative journey, navigating the business of being an artist, mental health, and building community in the art world. From experimenting with glitter and vibrant abstractions to tackling the realities of marketing, residencies, and solo shows, this conversation dives into the beauty and challenges of a modern artist’s life.

👉 If you’re an artist, creative, or mental health advocate, this episode will inspire you to embrace your unique story, experiment boldly, and lean into community. 

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + Camp Riverview sponsor shoutout 🌊🏕️

01:00 – Introducing guest artist Hailey Gearo

02:00 – Rest, writing, and creating during residency

03:00 – Preparing for solo shows & exhibitions in Austin

04:00 – Show details at Dougherty Arts Center + Carver Museum

05:00 – Hailey’s background: From Nebraska to Austin art scene

06:00 – Pandemic shift: Taking the leap into full-time art 🎨

07:00 – Finding community through Creative Cuties & Rich’s Art Gallery

09:00 – Meeting her husband & building support systems

10:00 – How to actually “become an artist” (business & marketing)

12:00 – The role of community and asking questions

14:00 – Professionalism & reputation in the art world

15:00 – Why art school leaves out business skills 📚

16:00 – How Hailey describes her art (abstract expressionism + surrealism)

17:00 – Mental health themes in her artwork & storytelling layers

19:00 – Influences: Yayoi Kusama, DPR Ian & personal lore

21:00 – Using color, motifs, clouds, and symbols for expression

23:00 – Experimenting with portals, patterns, and evolving style

25:00 – Future ideas: Installations & immersive art experiences

27:00 – Inspiration from residency: freedom to play & explore

29:00 – Sketches, portals, and trial & error process

30:00 – Mediums: Spray paint, acrylic, and… glitter ✨

32:00 – Breaking rules in art school & embracing glitter

33:00 – Building creative connections in Austin (Kayla, Carmen, NetDo community)

35:00 – Exploring Texas Hill Country for inspiration

37:00 – Upcoming shows & projects (Cathedral Women’s History Month, nail tech side quest)

38:00 – Creating compulsively & full-time art career 

39:00 – Where to find Hailey’s work: divinedisasters.com 🎨

Guest Bio – Hailey Gearo Hailey Gearo is the abstract-expressionist artist behind Divine Disasters, where chaos and beauty collide on canvas. Working in acrylics and glitter, her pieces explore mental health, resilience, and dreamlike landscapes. Her work has been featured at The Cathedral, the Carver Museum, and the San Antonio Airport, reflecting her mission to transform life’s messiness into something luminous and unforgettable.

📌 Connect with Hailey

🌐 Website: www.divinedisasters.com

📸 Instagram: @hailey_gearo

📧 Email: [email protected]

🙏 Special Thanks To Our Sponsors Orange Blossom Realty – https://www.orangeblossomland.com/ Camp Riverview – https://friocampriverview.com/

🔑 Keywords for SEO Hailey Gearo, Divine Disasters art, Austin artist, abstract painting, surrealism art, Yayoi Kusama influence, DPR Ian inspiration, artist mental health, creative community Austin, art residency, how to become a full-time artist, Dougherty Arts Center Austin, Carver Museum Austin, Rich’s Art Gallery, women artists, contemporary art podcast, glitter in art, storytelling in abstract art.

 🎧 About The In-Between Podcast Hosted by Jake & Leah, The In-Between Podcast shares inspiring stories from creatives, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who are finding beauty in the space between where they are and where they’re going.

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