Hey there!
My name is Rachel (she/they) and I am a Maker, artist and stop-motion fabricator based in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Lead painter and puppet fabricator, with 10+ years professional experience in stop-motion and live action animation. Focusing in traditional painting, sculpting, and 3D modeling for rapid prototyping. With end-to-end technical skills and experience to bring your ideas from initial sketches into reality!
+ Navigating important design decisions
+ Budgeting and guidance in development cost saving
+ Digital modeling and 3D printing / rapid prototyping
+ Molding and casting for mass production
+ Armature design and fabrication
Background
In my former life, I was a software developer. I graduated from Northeastern University, in Boston, with a BS in Computer Science in 2003. After college I had a very successful 6+ year career as a programmer in the video-game industry. Sadly, my work in the intangible world of software was not fulfilling for me or sustainable as a life long career path.
Knowing that I wanted to become a traditional artist and eventually work in stop-motion animation, I took a leap of faith and quit my programming gig in 2009. Rather than returning to college I sought out classes around LA and created my own curriculum between local schools and workshops. Through hard work, persistence, and my "don't be a dick" mantra, I realized my dreams and found my way into paid full-time work in stop-motion. Once inside, I have continued to build my portfolio of skills and work in various departments, including puppet and scenic painting, puppet fabrication, rapid prototyping (3D print shop), set dressing, and prop fabrication.
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I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given, and the incredible artists that I work with across many imaginative studios here in Los Angeles.
My Mission
My mission is to bring the open-source mentality of software development to the creative world and reduce gatekeeping! To empower others to pursue their creative dreams, fulfill their artistic potential, and live a well-rounded life. I firmly believe that WE ALL benefit when everyone is given equitable resources and opportunities to succeed. And I readily share everything I have learned with anyone that cares to listen!
Lead painter and puppet fabricator, with 10+ years professional experience in stop-motion and live action animation. Focusing in traditional painting, sculpting, and 3D modeling for rapid prototyping. With end-to-end technical skills and experience to bring your ideas from initial sketches into reality!
+ Navigating important design decisions
+ Budgeting and guidance in development cost saving
+ Digital modeling and 3D printing / rapid prototyping
+ Molding and casting for mass production
+ Armature design and fabrication
Background
In my former life, I was a software developer. I graduated from Northeastern University, in Boston, with a BS in Computer Science in 2003. After college I had a very successful 6+ year career as a programmer in the video-game industry. Sadly, my work in the intangible world of software was not fulfilling for me or sustainable as a life long career path.
Knowing that I wanted to become a traditional artist and eventually work in stop-motion animation, I took a leap of faith and quit my programming gig in 2009. Rather than returning to college I sought out classes around LA and created my own curriculum between local schools and workshops. Through hard work, persistence, and my "don't be a dick" mantra, I realized my dreams and found my way into paid full-time work in stop-motion. Once inside, I have continued to build my portfolio of skills and work in various departments, including puppet and scenic painting, puppet fabrication, rapid prototyping (3D print shop), set dressing, and prop fabrication.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given, and the incredible artists that I work with across many imaginative studios here in Los Angeles.
My Mission
My mission is to bring the open-source mentality of software development to the creative world and reduce gatekeeping! To empower others to pursue their creative dreams, fulfill their artistic potential, and live a well-rounded life. I firmly believe that WE ALL benefit when everyone is given equitable resources and opportunities to succeed. And I readily share everything I have learned with anyone that cares to listen!
