The story begins…
As a child, I loved cartoons. Not that this should be a surprise; you ought to check a kid’s pulse if they don’t like cartoons! Disney, Don Bluth, Hanna Barbera, Warner Brothers, Will Vinton- all of it 
interested me. My Saturday mornings and major holidays were scarcely complete without animated shows and specials. Two of the more influential movies of my youth were Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and The Point!. To further supplement my cartoon mania I would raid my parents’ collection of comics – The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes, Bloom County, and Outland.
As an artistic kid, I preferred markers and taboo canvases. One time I scrawled a picture of myself and Mickey Mouse standing in front of the Cinderella Castle on the underside of the living room coffee table, where it remained unnoticed for years until we moved to a new house. Happily, I was safely away at summer camp at the time of discovery. Sadly, no photographic record was taken.
Then in 1990, TNT aired the documentary What’s Up Doc? A Salute to Bugs Bunny. Being able to see behind the scenes of Warner Brothers, and coming to find how old those cartoons really were, fascinated and excited me. That’s when I realized what I wanted to be when I grew up.
When I could, I took after-school art and cartooning classes throughout elementary school. I was able to load up on art classes in high school and even take a semester of animation, where I created a claymation video that won me a National Scholastic Arts silver key. I also got the chance to take two brief summer courses at the studio of the Cartoon Tycoon, Mr. Fred Miles.
Since then, I have received an Associates degree in Graphic Design, have done a little freelancing, and also built up a small collection of designs which I have sold on products at both Cafepress and currently on Zazzle. However, I am tired of creating art just on the side and am ready to tackle a graphic design/animation career head-on.
I am still very much impassioned by 2D cel and stop-motion animation, and hope in the near future be a part of that process. It’s not just about being a part of it, but being able to meet like-minded people (translation: NERDS!) that I can learn from and share ideas with, and all that fun junk. As of this summer (2012) along with my long-time companion animal, I will have been living in Los Angeles pursuing this goal for almost a year. I knew it wasn’t going to be instantaneous, but I didn’t come out here to give up. At any rate, I’m having fun, meeting great people in the industry, and have even landed an internship, so I’m at least heading in the right direction. Should anyone in animation be reading this, you would not be disappointed with my tenacity and plucky determination.
TL;DR? – I’m too creative and/or unusual to work in a bank.
Read what friends and colleagues are saying about me…
A talented animator.
–Dahveed K.
When you talk about it [animation and being an animator], your eyes light up and you get really excited. Your tone of voice changes and you do a lot of hand gestures.
–Elena M.
I enjoy Katie’s enthusiasm, creativity, energy, and her smile when she meets or exceeds the expectations… I have had the privilege of reviewing her artwork. I saw creativity, drive, and exceptional self-acquired skill. I hope she continues it as a life long interest.
–Phil K.
Katie is a very diligent, hard-working…. She has always been on task and works to the best of her ability.
–Christy J.
I like how Katie’s just real with it.
–Vanessa J.
The woman does not waver in the face of adversity.
–Bo H.
You are a good drawer.
–Josh, age 11
You’re a nice cheery person and you are great at many things. I guess I’m saying you’re incredibly super!
–Jenna W., age 11
You are special. You are funny. You are also kind. You are a good friend. You are your own people.
–Katie S., age 11