​Artist & Educator Bio
Picture
I grew up in Southern California, just ten minutes away from the magic of Disneyland. Back then, I never could have imagined that my childhood dreams would come full circle decades later when I joined Walt Disney Studios as an artist and painter.
My lifelong passion for art led me to Pepperdine University, where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts and Photography. During my time there, I participated in a Year-in-Europe program that proved to be a pivotal chapter in my life; I traveled extensively, studying art history across Germany and even exploring the creative landscape behind the Berlin Wall.

When I entered the professional world, I found myself at the forefront of a digital revolution as one of the first women in computer graphics. I began my journey mastering a $100,000 command-line system designed by General Electric for NASA. This technical foundation allowed me to build a computer graphics department for a major corporation in Wisconsin, where I eventually developed programs to transition high-end workflows onto Apple/Macintosh systems.

The pull of the film industry eventually brought me back home to Southern California. Over the years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of working as a visual effects artist and painter for Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures, and Nickelodeon. My credits include projects like Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Stuart Little 2, Meet the Robinsons, Bolt, and The Polar Express. Today, I am also a proud voting member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (The Emmys).

Teaching & Mentorship

Beyond the studio, my heart is in education. I find immense joy in storytelling and sharing the techniques I’ve gathered over a career that spans both traditional and digital media. Whether I’m working with children or adults, I strive to make learning an exciting, immersive experience.

Currently, I operate my own art studio in the heart of Old Town Orange. I specialize in:
  • Traditional and Digital Media: Bridging the gap between classical techniques and modern technology.
  • Portfolio Prep: Mentoring students for art school auditions and careers in the animation industry.
  • Community Outreach: Working with home school networks and hosting specialized workshops.

Sophie’s DreamI am also deeply committed to the healing power of creativity. As the founder and executive director of Sophie’s Dream, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, I work to provide artistic outlets that help individuals navigate and heal from trauma and PTSD. I believe that art is not just about the final image—it's about the transformation that happens during the process.

  • Portfolio: [Select from the menu above]
  • Filmography: IMDb Profile

SERVICES

  •  Fine Art Drawing, Painting & Creative Arts Instruction
  • Digital Art & Design Instruction (Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Graphic Design, Digital Painting, etc.)
  • AI Integration for Visual Development, Storytelling & Character Creation
  • Private Instruction & Creative Mentorship in Art, Writing, Theology, Computer Literacy, Web Design, and Digital Media
  • Trauma-Informed Arts Education with training in Clinical Trauma Studies (CCTS-I, Arizona Trauma Institute), Therapeutic Art Life Coaching, ADHD, Trauma & Addiction Recovery Support
  • Visual Effects & Digital Painting for Film and Television
  • Graphic Design, Branding & Logo Development
  • Advanced Photoshop Editing & Professional Photo Retouching
  • Web Design, Content Development & Digital Media Creation
  • Professional Photography (Product Photography, Business Branding, Portraits & Headshots)
  • Marketing, Social Media Content & Brand Development
  • Computer Graphics Consulting & Technical Support for Mac/PC Systems and Graphics Peripherals
  • Founder & Designer, Sonserae Designs – Exclusive Jewelry Design Brand
    Sonserae Designs Etsy Shop
* Available for contract or freelance work, workshops, public speaking, in-home or on-site studios, schools, in the OC/L.A. area, out-of-state and abroad.

    Contact me here.