Butterfly Wings

Could a beautiful dream lift a young girl’s spirit to Godly heights, gently guiding her from science geek to passionate Jesus follower?

“She knew in an instant, all her questions became clear, her search was over, His precious gift so dear.”

I began this manuscript 25 years ago, shortly after my 1st daughter was born. Over the years it has matured through countless rounds of writing, rhyming, and refining. I have poured all my artistic skills into this handmade style in soft pastels. Illustrating 28 key moments full-color double spreads. Geared toward elementary readers, this picture book follows an enthusiastic young girl who encounters a spiritual awakening. Her heart is stirred toward a life-changing discovery, one that grants her the identity she longed for, the joy she cannot lose, and the confidence to be herself among her peers. In embracing this truth, she becomes a gentle hand of God’s love to others.

I have completely stayed away from the self publishing track. I printed 100 copies of this book as a test run for reviewing and revisions. And to see the young girl response... which one 4 year-old girl daily asks, "Mommy read the Butterfly Wings again.”

The process of finding the right publisher is now passionately in motion.

Visual Development

Beginning in 1992 , I worked as a Background Artist in various feature animation studios. Color matching and emulating the exact style of painting was some of the challenges. These are only a small example of hundreds of background paintings I have accomplished over the years. It was always a joy working with the team of artist matching each others paintings so that we communicated in harmony.

Eventually working digitally in Visual Development designing color keys, layouts, matte painting, and texture design for the 3-D modelers.

Also, included is my concept designs for personal projects used to build my portfolio and developing future book and movie ideas.

Children's book Cover design, painted in acrylics on illustration board.

Concept layout design for "Guardians of Ga'Hoole"

Concept painting for "Guardians of Ga'Hoole"

Concept painting for "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" mystical island.

Character design for 'The Enchanted Infestation' personal story development.

'The Enchanted Infestation,' Spindle Hall, layout design

Personal story development, ‘Pigaro’ title concept design

Pigaro 1900’s Italian store front. Personal project, layout and color design.

Pigaro 1900’s slaughterhouse barn. Personal project, layout and color design.

Pigaro, 1900’s boat building yard. Personal project, layout and color design.

Production background painting, Disney Feature Animation "Hunchback of Notre Dame" 1995

Production background painting, Disney Feature Animation "Hercules"

Production background painting, Disney Feature Animation "Mulan"

Production background painting, Disney Feature Animation "Mulan" matchmaker

Production BG painting, Disney Feature Animation "Tarzan"

Production BG painting, Disney Feature Animation "Tarzan" parents treehouse

Production background painting, Disney Feature Animation "The Emperor's New Groove"

Production BG painting, Disney Feature Animation "The Emperor's New Groove"

Disney's Emperors New Groove, Color development sketch

Disney's Emperors New Groove, pre-production development.

Original 10×15 acrylic painting on illustration board.

Disney's Emperors New Groove, pre-production development.

Original 10×13 acrylic painting on illustration board.

Disney's Emperors New Groove, pre-production development.

Original acrylic painting, 10×15 acrylic painting on illustration board.

Production BG painting, Disney Feature Animation ”The Emperors New Groove”

A section of Color script/beat board, Big Idea Production first feature film, "Jonah”

Big Idea Productions "Jonah", belly of the ship, Color key concept design

Big Idea Productions "Jonah", restaurant interior, Color key concept design

Big Idea Productions "Jonah", Nineveh, Color key concept design

Big Idea Productions "Wizard of Ha", Color key concept design

Big Idea Productions "Wizard of Ha", Production design/Color key

Big Idea Productions "Wizard of Ha", Color key concept design

Big Idea Productions "Easter Carol", Color key concept designs

Feature film ‘Space Chimps,’ flesh devouring beast, texture, and color design.

Feature film ‘Space Chimps’ "planet caverns", Color key concept designs.

Designed and animated black hole lightning special effects sequence, Space Chimps

Color concepts, using Matthias Lechner 'Little Star' layout

Gouache

My first in-depth understanding of opaque watercolors ( Designers Gouache ) began while working on the feature film, The Swan Princess 1994. We painted the entire film using the old Disney masters Gouache techniques. Later I developed painting outdoors from an easel using this medium. I also taught these techniques in various workshops and classes.

All but a few of these paintings have been previously sold.

In the mist

Nautical church, 17 x 24, $2000.

The Rock

Listening

Duet 14 x 18"

San Pedro, 12 x 30” matted and framed $1800.

Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Lunada Bay (Limited addition prints)

( Sold out )

Fresh Start

Korean Bell

Avalon's Pier 9 x 17"

Avalon city Fountain

Brand library, Glendale

New years day

Paul Bait

Cabrillo Beach 13 × 17 Gouache on illustration board, matted, and framer with UV glass $700

LA Harbor from friendship Park 16 x 20

Annie's stand. 13 ×17, Palos Verdes historical flower shop on the side of the road.

The Path

Planting Seeds, gouache sketch. 10 x 10, frame with UV glass 20 x 20. $700

Palos Verdes to LA 9 x 16" gouache on board, $800 with frame

Laguna Palms

Commissioned by Harbor interfaith services, Paseo Del Mar park, 4X16’ mural, acrylic on canvas

Freckle Mc Free

Courageous Freckle Mc Free wants to make a difference to the town folks below. He pleads with the Mayor, “If only the people would notice our tree, we all could be happier don't you see”. This environmental awareness, 56 page children's book is full of rhymes and reason. Illustrated in soft watercolor technique with pen and ink.

The process of finding the right publisher is now passionately in motion.

At 5:35, the peak of rush-hour, Mr. Clipper the snipper snaps the stem, then Freckle Mc Free begins to descend.

Down, down, down, in a gust of wind, Freckle goes into a terrible spin.

Chapel Art

I worked for 9 years in a small private Christian high school as the art teacher. Once a week, the school gathered for a time to worship giving student valuable experience helping them lead music and preaching. During this first year I asked myself, how could I introduce art into this service?

‘Club Chapel Art’ evolved through my passion to teaching important lessons in the exercise of visualizing the main scripture point into a drawing. On the dry eraser board we would sketch out all our ideas while design in the moment…composition, form, style and color notes. I have to admit 85% of the artwork was from my help, with the students mostly coloring in forms I sketched. We used soft pastels on 3’ square tone paper which was design for speedy turnaround, and clear, visual large impact. Drawing in front of the whole school, having only about 45 minutes to complete the chapel sketch. Eventually, a few of the students were able to design and draw their own concepts. Those were my top students that went through my program all the way to AP classes and then got scholarships to great colleges.

From what I learned from this experience, and yes my students, I'll continue to make these poster like pastel chapel drawings for my church and others from time to time.

Unequally yoked… she has her eye idol, he has his faith.

I stand at the door and knock.

Calling on Jesus

Who is the real superhero?

Revelation, 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Another book was open, which is the book of life. The dead were judged, according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

John 2:19 “Jesus answered them, destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

John 4:49-50 The Royal officer said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

John 5:44 how can you believe since you accept glory from one another, but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

John 5:1-8 “Pick up your mat and walk.”

John 12:24 Very truly, I tell you, unless was a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it only remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

The many voices of the Holy Spirt

The fruit of the good and bad spirit

What voice do you hear ? What does God say ?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are already doing.

Set Design

While working at Walt Disney Feature animation studios, in 1996 I started designing and constructing biannual sets for children's musical theatre at Rolling Hills Covenant mega Church.

From 2003 to 2021, I was contracted by RHCC to worked as the Art Director and Set Designer for the living art presentation (Modeled after the Laguna’s famous “Pageant of the Masters”), "Pageant of Our Lord" Choosing art that communicated clearly the biblical message, I adjust the scale and graphic impact in Photoshop. With my team of volunteers, we build sets to hold live models, sculpting additional props and figures to reproduce the exact image. I oversee casting the models, designing the lighting, makeup and costumes, bringing the experience of the original paintings or sculpture to life with in human proportions. During this biannual 3 week production, there was 14 presentation, and I have the privilege of managing over 150 volunteers. With a variety interns and skilled carpenters, welders seamstress we manufactured some 36 living art sets over the years.

Set design is illustration on a life size scale for live audiences to enjoy.

Pageant Our Lord, 'Adam and Eve driven from Eden', work in progress

Adam and Eve with full theater makeup and sculpted wigs completed.

Detail sculpture of ‘Jesus healing the paralytic’ 2019

Sacrifice of Isaac, sculpture. Three live models. rotates 360° -2019.

2018 bronze sculpture "Dispute" with 5 live models in make up and costume,

In between presentations, I drew Nancy before applying make up.

2017 bronze sculpture "Expulsion of the Money Changers" with 4 live models in make up and costume,

Behind the scenes construction process for ‘Expulsion’.

Styrofoam head carved for ‘Dispute’ bronze medallion piece, Pageant 2018

Pageant of our Lord, The Trial, work in progress

Construction and painting process to Karl Blocks 1857 ‘Resurrection’

Showing process of creating, ‘Calming in the Storm’. Intern trying out pose. Final product on stage lit for the audience with 4 live models, full costume and body paint.