Carrie Wooden walked away from a successful corporate career to embrace a life of unbounded creativity and the unexpected support of Charleston’s thriving artistic community.
Collages are Wooden’s primary medium of expression, and local marketplaces often serve as her pop-up galleries.
On any given Saturday, you’ll likely find her like I did late last December, set up alongside ducks idly gliding through the waters of Quarterman Park in North Charleston. Other local artists and vendors populated their own multi-colored canopies outside The Station Park Circle, a curated vintage marketplace, in anticipation of holiday shoppers and craft enthusiasts.
Even amidst the sea of tents and displays, Wooden stood out — a woman with vibrant red and orange curls surrounded by her creations: coasters, light switches, bookmarks and canvases alive with surreal, dreamlike imagery.
Her works featured everything from fish heads on suited human bodies to Amazonian women adorned in butterflies, with miniature men perched on their legs and torsos. Each piece was a striking blend of forgotten ephemera, transformed into something new; objects given fresh life, never lost to time.
In an interview with the Charleston City Paper, Wooden elaborated on her journey, revealing both the rewards and hardships of making that career-changing decision.
“I started creating collages in 2020 while furloughed during Covid-19. … it gave me the chance to tap into my creativity. At first, I made collages for friends and co-workers, unsure of my next step.
“In late 2020, I applied for my first art market and was accepted. … by September 2023, I was named an emerging artist by Charleston magazine, and things got hectic. In November, I was invited to Pecha Kucha 44, marking the turning point when I decided to pursue art full time,” Wooden said.
From corporate to creative
With an increase in public interest and a higher demand for appearances at craft shows and markets, Wooden had a choice to make: keep a ‘cush’ marketing job with a stable income, or dive deep into her artistic endeavors in the hopes of making a full-time career of it.
At this point, she said, the answer was easy — pursue her passion instead of a steady paycheck. However, this decision was not without obstacles.
“Deciding to rely on myself for a paycheck has been one of the hardest things I’ve done,” Wooden said. “Without the stability I once had, I’ve learned to track vendor fees, identify valuable markets and account for city business license costs.
“After almost a year, I’m learning to plan better, though it’s tough with no guarantee of success at any market. [Still], I’m grateful to live in a city that values buying local.”
Despite the financial obstacles, this artist was able to find her medium, thanks to a collection of vintage magazines, papers and images. And, Wooden said, the supplies needed to make her analog collages are inherently low-cost and sustainable.
“All of the pieces I use in my art are found at estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores and dumpster diving. Because I only use vintage papers and images, it’s very time-consuming to find the right pieces when you only have one day a week to be on the hunt,” she said. “Now that I’m not rushing to and from work, I can take my time and actually travel outside of Charleston to find different materials.”
Time of her life
These days, Wooden revels in digging deep into the wooden drawers of mid-century homes, and rummaging through magazines in thrift store bins to build her amalgamated art.
Conscious of the fact that this dramatic career change may not always be feasible, Wooden offers advice to artists who find themselves feeling torn between passion and profession.
“My advice: test the waters, share your work, talk to other creatives and build a strong support system. I’m grateful for the Charleston art community and my family. Life’s short — if creating makes you happy, do it.
“My art career started at 50, with no plan and little knowledge, but I kept asking questions. Despite financial insecurity, I’m happier and more confident than ever.”
To see Wooden’s artwork in person, visit Southern Reutz at 128 Meeting St. To view online, visit her ETSY store at collegekitsch.etsy.com.
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