🌴Summer Fridays are back! This week we feature Abbey Ley an independent Motion Designer and Illustrator. Onsite, Abbey creates a ton of graphics and animated pieces featured at Art Island Installations. Offsite she’s creating even more content while picking up some new hobbies like making music!
Swipe to read more about Abbey (@abbeyleydesign) and how she’s staying busy this summer
Our team is unique ~ because we bring together many facets of the Austin arts scene to form something fully collaborative. When they’re not creating alongside Art Island, it’s no surprise that our team are thought leaders in their own industries! 🌟
Our Summer Fridays series puts a spotlight on our core team members and what they do when they’re “off” from Art Island events and “on” in their personal life. Tune in every week for a local profile and a day-long stories takeover! 🌴Interview follows as text:
What do you do at art island?
I have created a variety of graphic design and animation projects with our crew, some of my fave work to date! I’ve had animated pieces projected at our in-person events, and then during the pandemic, I churned out tons of kaleidoscopic visuals to “VJ” during our digital QT nights. I also love to work with my hands, and had a blast collaborating on the Color Ascension installation art piece at our New World event last fall.
Favorite memory at an art island event?
Oh how do I choose?? Hosting our Art Island experience at Freezer Burn in Feb 2020 was quite magical. I loved meeting new friends and painting their beautiful faces! Another favorite memory that stands out is camping out with the crew, dreaming up our New World event and taking a late night swim in the river, under the stars. Truly special slices of life with our incredible community! <3
What’s keeping you busy work-wise this summer?
I started a new full-time remote job a few months ago with a global healthcare agency called Real Chemistry. I’m a Senior Art Director in our Social Studio and my weekdays are filled with designing and animating social content. It’s been quite the transition after freelancing for 3 years. I’m super grateful for my wonderful team, the consistent income, and the fully remote nature of my role.
What are your creative goals for the season?
I’m learning how to make music! I’ve been obsessed with music for my entire life but have always been more focused on visual art. My intuition keeps telling me to lean into music making and writing more. I journal my thoughts a lot so have been filling them with lyrics more recently. I just bought a classical acoustic guitar that I’m beginning to learn to play, along with continuing to learn to play the banjo. I love to sing and will finish a chakra-focused vocal workshop by the end of the summer.
What’s your ideal Friday night in Austin look like?
I’d start it out with some yoga or a sunset kayak session. Then dancing to some amazing live music with friends, seeing artwork, and rollerskating! Hey, it’s my ideal night, so I can combine all of my favorite things.
What community do you admire and we should scope out in Austin?
I’ve been massively inspired by the vibes and visual art of Levitation! Coming to their festival in 2015 was definitely a factor in my decision to move to Austin. I am also constantly impressed by the coolest tiny magazine, Almost Real Things! The mag itself is wonderful; you can really tell how much love and hard work goes into creating it. Their Virtual Vacations were some of the most unique digital offerings during the pandemic. They also throw fantastic events like the recent backyard party at TreeGarden with Calliope Musicals and Ley Line.
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