To Review Portfolio Please Go to: • https://www.sonserae.com/digital-work-filmtelevision.html
To Review IMDB Page Please Go to: • http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1241693/
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Multidisciplinary visual artist, AI creative consultant, computer graphics pioneer, educator, and visual effects professional with 25+ years of experience in feature film, television, digital media, education, technology, and entrepreneurship. Recognized for combining fine art, storytelling, technical innovation, and production leadership across entertainment, education, and emerging AI-driven creative workflows.
Experienced in designing and managing the Computer Graphics Division at CUNA Mutual Insurance and the CG Texture Department pipeline and workflow systems at Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Supervised artists and overseas teams, developed production standards, and integrated evolving technologies and software solutions across major entertainment and corporate environments.
Currently collaborates with AI programmers and developers on AI-driven projects including online and mobile applications, creative workflow systems, visual storytelling tools, and the creation of consistent AI-generated characters and imagery for books, media, and branded storytelling. Experienced using generative AI platforms and hybrid traditional/digital workflows to develop scalable visual content.
Contributed to early groundbreaking 3D environment and virtual reality-based visual effects production for the feature film Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Worked alongside digital media pioneer Georg Gerber on advanced computer-generated environment development during the formative years of immersive 3D cinematic technology.
Participated in pioneering workflows that helped influence the future integration of digital environments, virtual production concepts, and CG-driven storytelling within the film industry. Specialized in digital painting, texture development, and visual environment creation during a transformative period in feature film visual effects history.
Founder and CEO of Sonserae Designs and Sophie’s Dream, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to healing trauma and PTSD through the arts. Also operates a professional art studio in Old Towne Orange where she teaches traditional and digital art classes, presents workshops, mentors students, and produces commissioned artwork and graphic design projects for private and corporate clients.
Known for strong leadership, communication, mentoring, workflow design, visual problem solving, and the ability to bridge art, technology, education, and business. Extensive experience designing workflow systems and supervising creative teams to develop efficient production methods that achieve high-quality results while consistently meeting strict deadlines in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Visual Effects / Film & Television
- Feature animation and television production
- Texture painting and surfacing
- Look development and shader creation
- Visual development and color design
- Lighting, rendering, and compositing support
- Art direction and production workflow
- CG department design and pipeline development
- Quality control and overseas production supervision
- Story-driven visual design and cinematic aesthetics
- Workflow systems design and optimization
- Creative pipeline development
- Team leadership and production supervision
- Production efficiency and quality control
- Supervising creative teams in high-pressure production environments
- Designing efficient workflows to achieve high-quality results under strict deadlines
- Cross-department collaboration and problem solving
- Production planning and process improvement
- AI-assisted visual development and storytelling
- AI image generation workflows
- Character consistency systems for narrative projects
- Online and mobile app collaboration with AI programmers
- Generative AI software integration
- Workflow design and creative pipeline systems
- Computer graphics systems management
- UNIX / LINUX / Apple / Microsoft environments
- Creative technology consulting
- Digital media production and content creation
- Traditional and digital illustration
- Graphic design and branding
- Photography and photo retouching
- Curriculum development and instruction
- Public speaking and workshops
- Fine art commissions and mural design
- Corporate presentations and consulting
- Art mentorship and portfolio development
- Trauma-informed arts education
SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite • Adobe Photoshop • Photoshop Generative AI • Adobe Illustrator • InDesign • Lightroom • Firefly • Midjourney • OpenArt • NeoLemon • Procreate • Autodesk Maya • Cinema 4D • BodyPaint • Mudbox • Pixar Renderman • Mental Ray • DaVinci Resolve • Motion Graphics Software • Adobe Audition • CapCut • iMovie • Video Editing • Audio Editing • Narration Recording • Microsoft Office Suite • Zoom • FileMaker Pro • Amazon KDP • Various proprietary animation and rendering systems
Additional Experience: Apple/Mac systems specialist, networking, workflow systems, UNIX/LINUX scripting, software implementation, hardware integration, rapid adaptation to emerging technology platforms.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CEO & Founder | Sonserae Designs
Orange, California | 2010 – Present
Founder and creative director of a multidisciplinary art, design, education, and consulting company serving clients in entertainment, publishing, education, branding, and visual communications.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
- Operate a working art studio in Old Towne Orange at the Orange Circle, providing traditional and digital art instruction, workshops, presentations, portfolio mentoring, commissioned artwork, and graphic design services.
- Produce digital and traditional artwork for film, publishing, educational media, websites, social media campaigns, branding projects, and private collectors.
- Create logos, book covers, marketing materials, photography, visual branding systems, and promotional content for businesses and organizations.
- Teach drawing, painting, digital art, Photoshop, illustration, design principles, and visual storytelling to children, teens, and adults.
- Develop AI-assisted workflows for creating consistent visual imagery and characters for storytelling, publishing, and creative media projects.
- Collaborate with AI programmers and developers on emerging AI-based online and mobile applications.
- Utilize AI and creative software platforms including Photoshop Generative AI, Midjourney, NeoLemon, OpenArt, Firefly, and related tools for concept design, visual development, and production workflows.
- Manage all aspects of business operations including marketing, customer service, social media, photography, copywriting, invoicing, e-commerce, product development, and client relations.
- Provide consulting in art direction, workflow systems, branding, customer engagement, and creative business development.
CEO & Founder | Sophie’s Dream, Inc.
California | 2016 – Present
Founder and executive director of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals heal from trauma, grief, PTSD, and emotional hardship through the arts and creative expression.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
- Develop trauma-informed arts programs focused on emotional healing, empowerment, creativity, and personal restoration.
- Produce educational, inspirational, and healing-focused podcasts and multimedia content.
- Write, edit, narrate, and produce video and audio content using professional editing and post-production software including DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Audition.
- Coordinate outreach programs, workshops, presentations, and arts-based healing initiatives.
- Mentor individuals and families using creative arts education and supportive coaching methods.
- Lead community outreach and charitable projects focused on trauma recovery and personal growth.
Art Instructor / Summer School Arts Educator
California School Districts | 2019 – Present
Teach traditional and digital art classes, workshops, and summer school programs for TK–12 students throughout Southern California.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
- In collaboration with Bollywood Dance Central, teach summer school visual arts programs serving thousands of at-risk students in Desert Sands and other California school districts.
- Teach drawing, painting, color theory, digital illustration, Photoshop, mixed media, ceramics, and design.
- Developed a highly effective step-by-step drawing curriculum designed to help students build advanced drawing skills within 4–6 months.
- Teach both private students and classroom groups ranging from children to adults.
- Prepare students for art school auditions, portfolio reviews, and creative careers.
- Conduct workshops, demonstrations, presentations, and community art events.
Independent Visual Effects Artist / Texture Painter / Look Development Artist
Various Major Film & Television Studios | 1997 – 2012
Worked as a visual effects artist, senior texture painter, and look development artist for major film and television productions.
Nickelodeon Animation Studios | Senior Texture Painter / Lead Texture Artist
Burbank, California | 2007 – 2012
Projects included:
- The Penguins of Madagascar
- Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness
- Fanboy & Chum Chum
- Tak and the Power of Juju
- Robot & Monster
- Designed and helped establish the texture painting workflow, standards, protocols, and production pipeline specifically for the CG Texture Department at Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
- Created textures and surfacing for characters, environments, props, and visual effects.
- Assigned shaders, supported rendering workflows, and collaborated with lighting departments.
- Supervised and reviewed internal and overseas production work.
- Participated in story, production, and pipeline planning meetings.
- Improved production efficiency through workflow development and departmental organization.
Burbank, California | 1997 – 2007
Projects included:
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire
- Bolt (American Dog)
- Meet the Robinsons
- Magic Lamp at Tokyo DisneySea
- Served as the sole texture painter on Atlantis for stylized CG vehicles and major environmental assets.
- Created stylized and photo-realistic textures, shader systems, look development, and visual surface treatments.
- Produced texture maps for props, costumes, environments, and effects.
- Assisted in visual development and rendering support.
- Contributed to early development and production visualization workflows.
Culver City, California | 2000 – 2004
Projects included:
- Polar Express
- Stuart Little 2
- Seabiscuit
- I Spy
- The ChubbChubbs!
- Created high-resolution textures and surfacing for props, environments, clothing, and characters.
- Specialized in realistic texture painting and material definition.
- Assisted with documentation and workflow development for realistic costume and fabric texturing.
- Collaborated closely with modelers, lighters, and compositors.
Los Angeles, California | 2002 – 2003
Projects included:
- Solaris
- X2: X-Men United
- The Last Samurai
- Gigli
- Produced texture and visual effects work for feature film productions.
- Collaborated within fast-paced production environments requiring precision, consistency, and cinematic realism.
Digital Media Artist | Graphix Zone
Irvine, California
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
- Accomplished lead direction in the concept, design, and production of 2D digital artwork and photorealistic tileable texture maps for 3D models and environments.
- Created digital painting and texture assets for emerging 3D visualization workflows.
- Worked extensively in texture development, visual realism, and environmental surface design.
- Collaborated within fast-paced production environments integrating art and technology.
Freelance Digital Artist/Visual Development
- Contributed to early groundbreaking 3D environment and virtual reality-based visual effects production for the feature film Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Worked alongside digital media pioneer Georg Gerber on advanced computer-generated environment development during the formative years of immersive 3D cinematic technology.
Computer Graphic Designer / Technical Specialist | CUNA Mutual Insurance
Madison, Wisconsin
Built, designed, supervised, and helped lead the company’s computer graphics division during the early evolution of digital graphics technology.
Key Responsibilities & Accomplishments:
- Supervised and helped lead the technical direction of the department while establishing the company’s computer graphics division.
- Provided technical training and support to artists and production staff.
- Managed graphics production systems, networking, software integration, and department workflow.
- Purchased and implemented hardware and software solutions.
- Designed policies, procedures, and production standards.
- Trained artists and staff on emerging digital production systems.
- Created and developed a highly effective file conversion system that successfully transferred digital art files from an obsolete turnkey graphics system to the Apple Macintosh platform.
- Helped transition graphics workflows from proprietary systems to desktop Macintosh environments.
- Worked with advanced turnkey graphics systems originally designed for NASA-related applications.
Administrative Assistant | D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles
Provided administrative and organizational support within a major advertising agency environment.
Assistant to the President | Stursberg & Hewitt Advertising Agency
Hollywood, California
Served as assistant to the president of the advertising agency on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, supporting executive operations, communications, scheduling, and agency coordination.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Graphic Designer
- Photographer and Photo Retoucher
- Public Speaker and Workshop Instructor
- Voiceover Artist and Narrator
- Podcast Writer, Editor, Narrator, and Producer
- Video Editor and Audio Editor
- Creative Technology Consultant
- Adjunct-Level Art Instruction
- Branding and Social Media Consultant
- Jewelry Designer and Product Creator
SELECT FILM & TELEVISION CREDITS
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire
- Bolt
- Meet the Robinsons
- Polar Express
- Stuart Little 2
- I Spy
- Solaris
- X2: X-Men United
- Seabiscuit
- The Last Samurai
- The Penguins of Madagascar
- Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness
- Fanboy & Chum Chum
- Tak and the Power of Juju
- Robot & Monster
- Pearl Harbor
- The ChubbChubbs!
EDUCATION
Graduate Studies
Fuller Seminary | Pasadena, California
Master of Theology and the Arts Candidate
Renaissance Painting & Spirituality Studies – Orvieto, Italy
Undergraduate Studies
Pepperdine University | Malibu, California
Bachelor of Fine Arts and Photography
Additional Training
- Mission Renaissance
- Academy of the Arts
- Animation Guild Workshops
- Figure Drawing and Perspective Courses
- Background Painting and Design Workshops
- Digital Art and Animation Training
- Independent studies in Renaissance art, visual storytelling, and theology
HONORS, MEMBERSHIPS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Member, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy Awards)
- Member, Animation Guild / IATSE
- Academy Award-winning project contributor: The ChubbChubbs!
- Founder & CEO, Sophie’s Dream, Inc.
- Community outreach advocate using the arts to support trauma healing and emotional wellness
- Instructor and mentor for youth arts education programs throughout California
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Extensive experience with both traditional and digital media
- Strong leadership and mentoring abilities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Experienced in executive presentations and production consultation
- Fluent in creative problem solving and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Medium fluency in German