Rising Stars: Meet Abigail Wallace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Wallace.

Hi Abigail, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My childhood was full of imagination and play. There was not much else around besides the woods, an outdoor swing set, rock walls, and a fort building. And other days it was playing pretend, Barbie dolls, drawing, driveway basketball, and bike rides. I grew up in a small town right outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the Pocono Mountains. I would not trade my childhood for anything else. Those moments were pivotal to who I am today. Always wanting to play, create, and adventure.

Over the years I gravitated towards a career that gave me permission to continue to play, space to create, and prodding to be adventurous and try all things new. I am a curious, nonconformist who loves to contribute unique attributes in any arena I walk through. I went to Penn State University to be a graphic designer because I was in love with using my artistic talents in a purposeful way. Therefore, I have ventured down many avenues of artistry such as fine arts, photography, design, flower arranging, sewing, painting, dance, film, and video.

I also love the West Coast and its beautiful nature as well as experiencing new places and cultures. That is why I moved to Salt Lake City, UT shortly after I graduated from college. Today, I have the joy of mixing all forms of art into my daily life as a communication specialist/graphic designer and filmmaker. However, I am currently anticipating stepping into a Creative Director role where I will be leading and empowering other artists. I also enjoy taking on freelance work which adds variety to each day.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
HA. Nope. Life isn’t meant to be a smooth road, but I would say that striving and struggles taught me so much about who I am and what I value. Throughout the start of my young career, I was grateful to experience such an awesome internship at Mattel Inc. as a Barbie packaging design intern. That experience was an opportunity of a lifetime.

I was going into my senior year of college when I embarked on this experience in Los Angeles. Upon graduating, I expected that I would be working in this type of setting which I soon after realized wouldn’t be the case. I so wanted to live out west. I wanted to work a meaningful job. My identity was my career. I needed to be different – to stand out.

However, I returned home to my small town feeling secluded from the vibrant, unique, and young life I tasted in LA. I was humbled. I learned that nothing is promised and that good things take time. I began photographing and took on any freelance work I could book. I also started working at a family resort which gave me confidence and experience in my work. But, my desire to live out west continued burning!

With a leap of faith, I moved to Utah to experience the beautiful mountains and the diverse landscapes. There I would become a footwear photographer / visual designer for KURU Footwear which is a now thriving start-up company. I loved my time at KURU Footwear and even now I continue to freelance for them. I am happy to call many of those who still work there my friends.

Then radically my life changed when I experienced the saving grace of Jesus. My lifestyle transformed. With that change came great sacrifice. My identity shifted from what most people knew me as. My heart shifted and I realized the type of work I wanted to do was to serve others and point them in the direction of hope.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in graphic design and photography which I believe to be a natural pairing. I also enjoy incorporating fine arts, primarily drawing and painting, into my designs. My usual approach is to tell stories through photography while incorporating natural elements and unique landscapes. I also equally love branding new companies and individual clients, providing them with their unique stamp in the world.

One project I am especially proud of is my Barbie package idea which was approved, created, and sold in 2017. It was a surreal experience to see my design on the shelf at Walmart! I instantly cried with joy and bought 3 of them. Close friends and old school teachers asked me to autograph them!

More recently, I participated in a collaborative film project which featured my sister. It’s titled “Pursue Wisdom” and it uses many diverse forms of art to deliver a breath-taking and profound message to those struggling with doubt and self-worth.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising about me is that I come from a basketball family. We played basketball All. The. Time. I was captain of the basketball team my senior year, received many awards, and held the highest Free-Throw percentage in the league my senior year. Then my twin sisters both went on to play college basketball and semi-pro.

My favorite part of the game is I love working as a team. And yes, like many athletes I do have an extremely competitive spirit. I once had a crazy experience while playing pickup at Penn State when the Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach saw me and asked if I wanted to try out as a walk-on. I was so honored and excited!

Contact Info:

• Website: abbycarmody.com
• Instagram: @abigailcarmody
• Youtube: @abbycarmody3236