Daily Inspiration: Meet Gaia Orr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaia Orr.

Hi Gaia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 7th grade English, I wrote a poem about feeling like a contradiction. I was unique, yet ordinary, a troublemaker, and a rule follower. Because of this internal struggle and the way my parents raised me, I think it was inevitable that I’d become an artist to try to make sense of myself and the world.

In our one-bedroom apartment in Southeast Denver, I would sift through the pages of magazines, daydreaming about being on movie sets. I fawned over the editorials and behind-the-scenes photos alike. With my fascination evident, my parents enrolled me in Destination Imagination, acting classes, art classes, and ballet.

My Christmas wishlists included painting supplies, sewing kits, baking accessories, and as I got older, cameras. I was always supported in the arts, despite my lack of commitment to one medium. When it came time to go to college, I still had so much I wanted to learn. I took culinary arts certification courses and started working for a family portrait studio. It was there that I dove into photography and visual media.

I started taking photography and business courses at the Community College of Aurora, working at cafes and restaurants to pay my way as much as possible. Every chance I had, I would organize photo shoots with friends to get familiar with my cameras and directing. My now-husband, Garrett Moore, is a super-talented graphic designer and illustrator who encouraged me every step of the way.

With my emboldened passion, I committed to an art degree at MSU Denver, still working to support my dream. It was there that I met many local artists whom I collaborated with, and I was then able to show my work at galleries like Dateline and Robert Anderson Gallery. Molly Bounds and Mario Zoots are two inspiring artists who gave up-and-comers like me the confidence and opportunities to put work out into the world.

After several years on this path, I heard of an opening in the art department at a local production company. For 3 years I worked on a women-led team learning about set design and prop styling, until eventually I became the team lead myself.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is difficult to take an unconventional path. I’ve experienced self-doubt. However, I am grateful to make a living doing what I love.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’d say I’m most known for being an artist and stylist. Being an independent creative allows me to wear many hats. I specialize in set design and prop styling for naturalistic sets. I love working with Topo Designs because they emphasize the outdoors in their creative campaigns, and using natural materials in installations feels more sustainable. Naturalistic in a different sense, I style interiors which challenges me to create stories with beautiful everyday objects. It brings me a lot of joy to style a vanity or a breakfast table with a character in mind.

Additionally, working with Wiley Kaupas and David Chang to art direct and style ‘Narcissus’, a short film, was a creative highlight of mine. I think we are all so proud of that work. I also still have photography in my back pocket and use that as a medium to create fashion editorials and portraits to get more personal ideas out there.

What are your plans for the future?
Colorado is my home. I met my long-time friends and husband here, and my mom and sister live here, too. I would love to maintain my styling business in Denver and expand to other cities. I hope that my creative pursuits can take me wherever it is that your production needs me!

Contact Info:

• Website: gaiaorr.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/gaia.0

Image Credits
Garrett Moore, Ben P Ward, Tory Powers, and Pablo Pedroso