Michele Dodds graduated with an M.F.A. from Illinois State University in 1995 and has a background as an Art Director, digital artist, video editor and in motion graphics. Michele began illustrating books in 2016. Michele is currently working on illustrations about a guinea pig named Gillie. She is also drawing and writing stories about her childhood. Michele’s work has been featured in the December 2019 issue of Parenting OC magazine and the July 2019 issue of South County magazine. She also helped create the plush Gillie that won the Brass Ring award, competing against Disney, Hong Kong and Sea World, Austrailia in 2019. Michele has experience teaching 2D Design and Introduction to Art at Illinois State University and has taught Drawing and Painting at Vanguard University. You can view some of her work on this website: www.MicheleDodds.com.
Michele's M.F.A.(Master of Fine Art) work at Illinois State University focused on design, color theory, architecture, printmaking, felt, and art history. Upon graduation she worked as an Art Director focusing on video storytelling, using computer programs, such as Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, 3D Max and Final Cut Pro.
Currently - 2023 Illustrating books, painting and writing. She primarily uses Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
Experience - 2017-2019 - Designed the look of the characters for Gillie Guinea Pig Books for Carolyn Franks. Illustrated the book, The tale of Gillie Guinea Pig, written by Carolyn Franks. Helped create, Gillie Guinea Pig plush toy with Carolyn Franks- who won the Brass Ring Award in 2018.
2016 - Illustrated a book about a llama from Zoomars. Painting murals and large backdrops for plays.
2012 - 2016: Created a large Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory play backdrop. Created personal paintings while taking care of our preschool daughter.
Jan 2007 - 2012: Independent Contractor for Architectural Cathode Lighting, Huntington Park, CA. Drafting, Web Designer, and Graphics.
Spring 2008 - Teaching - Adjunct Faculty at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa CA, Teaching Drawing and Painting.
May 2003-Dec 2006: Freelance Painter, Motion Graphics and FCP Editor:
Projects: Motion Graphics for companies such as, Architectural Cathode Lighting and Taco Bell for The Dreaming Tree, editing for Magellan Media, Pardee Homes - Extreme Makeover Home Edition documentary and Editing Systems Inc., Created DVD menu's and graphics.
2003 - Club 33 Disneyland - Greeter
November 1998-April 2003: Digital Storyteller, Motion Graphics, 3D Max, Video Editing, For Narratus, Fullerton, CA. Over 4 years experience as Art Director in digital story telling, editing, still and motion graphics. Created 3D animations, web sites, interactive CD ROMs and DVDs, created visuals for clients such as the The Pacific Symphony, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Hyperion, as well as corporate video content for a variety of speakers and preformance videos for musicians and concerts.
View my old video reel from work as Art Director:
Motion Graphics
1991-1995: Teaching Assistance in Fiber Art. while working on my M.F.A degree, as well as one semester teaching Art to non-art majors at Illinois State University.
Education (Michele Wood) my maiden name.
1998 Adobe After Effects - California State Long Beach
1998 Photoshop - American Film Institute, Hollywood, CA
1995 M.F.A. in Textiles, Printmaking, Wood - Illinois State University
1993 M.S. in Art - Illinois State University
1991 B.S. in Art - Illinois State University
Cell Phone: (714) 686-8625
Home Phone: (714) 871-5528
Location: Fullerton, California, USA
See image to the right for email information.
© 2023 Michele G. Dodds
All Rights Reserved.
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