We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sonserae Leese. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sonserae below.

Hi Sonserae, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

My passion for becoming an artist started when I was extremely young, at age two. My father, who received his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and was designing systems for computers in the 1960s in the Silicon Valley, burst into the bathroom on my first day of seventh grade while I was curling my hair and asked:

“Well, do you know what you want to do for a living for the rest of your life?”
I replied, “Well, I’m not positive Dad, but I think I want to be an artist”
His reply haunts me and him to this day.
“Well, you are throwing your life away. You will never make any money being an artist and you will be a complete failure”.

Those words not only motivated me to work hard to be a successful artist, but at the same time, I heard those words in my head even when I was at the top of my game. I had landed a full-time position at Walt Disney Studios as a Visual Development artist and the only texture painter on the animated movie “Atlantis, The Lost Empire” and every day I heard in my head, “You are going to be a complete failure as an artist” which caused me to have major imposter syndrome even though I was more than qualified for the job.

I have now been a professional artist earning a full-time living from my creative work for over 35 years. I received a BFA from Pepperdine University in Fine Art and Photography but after graduation, it was clear that I couldn’t just become a famous artist by selling my paintings.

I have always been a very goal-oriented person and I have always searched out career trends in the marketplace for art careers and done my best to do what it takes to educate and train myself to align with those opportunities in the marketplace. I had a friend who told me about this new thing called computer graphics and I went full force in doing what I needed to do to get in on the ground floor. The year was 1985.

The company was called Genigraphics Corporation. The parent company was General Electric and they developed a $100,000 turn-key computer graphics system for NASA at the time. I heard there was an office in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, and set my sights on doing what it took to get employed there. They had a policy that all artist positions had to start in the accounting dept which did not make sense to me at the time, but I was so grateful that I learned how to do accounting and bookkeeping because running your own business requires it and many artists just aren’t experienced in knowing how to run a profitable art business. Crunching numbers is a must.

I ended up getting hired and after 3 months in the accounting office, I was promoted to the position of Computer Graphics Artist. The only position available was the graveyard shift and I took the opportunity without hesitation.
The technology was so new and the system only could display 256 colors at a time. It was all vector-based except for pixel-based capturing of Photographs. There was no WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) operating system. It was DOS-based and required typing commands on a command line. We created mostly slide presentations for NASA, aerospace, and pharmaceutical companies in the LA area. Most were pie charts and graphs.

We went in the dark room and developed the slide film ourselves and my experience also as a photography major having darkroom experience came in handy for that aspect of the position. I also learned how efficiently they set up the production schedule running 24-hour shifts and keeping hand-written records on each client folder on each stage of the production process to delivery.

I loved working there and was there for over a year when I decided to move out of Southern California to seek a “simpler life”. I looked up all the companies that had these huge computer graphic systems and found a large company in Madison, Wisconsin who had just purchased the system for their art dept. I contacted them, and they had no idea how to operate it. They ended up writing the job description based on my resume and hired me to train and build the computer graphics dept. I set up the computer graphics division of that corporation by training the employees, setting up the production pipeline, and writing procedures and policies based on what I learned at Genigraphics. I attended computer graphics conferences and stayed informed on the latest technology.

After 3 1/2 years, the job requests had increased so much and it was getting impossible to share one computer system between several employees to produce these slide presentations. Purchasing another $100,000 system was too cost-prohibitive and this new technology called the Macintosh Desktop emerged that was developed by Apple.

I had a dilemma though. I had 3 1/2 years of client work on that system and I needed to get that information on the new Macintosh platform. I closed the door to the room and focused for two weeks doing test after test and finally was successful in writing a program that seamlessly transferred the Genigraphics data onto the Macintosh platform. We then started using Macintosh desktops for our productions and all the artists had their own workstations and client projects.

I stayed there 5 1/2 years and was growing tired of the “simple life” which wasn’t simple at all. Anyone from Wisconsin who deals with those harsh Winters knows that full well. This Southern California beach girl was done with the snow! My life changed in an instant when I went to the movies and saw, “The Mask” by Jim Carrey. I was blown away by the visual effects done by ILM at the time. My new goal was to do Visual Effects for Movies. So I packed up and made my way back to LA.

After freelancing and then working at CD Rom entertainment companies as an artist and texture painter, I finally landed positions as an artist in Visual Effects at Disney, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, Cinesite, Rhythm & Hues, and other studios. I never had to look for work for over 20 years. We were a niche group and in demand. Studios would have bidding wars to get us to sign contracts with them. We got offered signing bonuses and I worked with the same small group of people at every studio. No schools were teaching this technology at the time and the job demand was incredible. We could pretty much name our price. It was the glory days of Visual Effects.

I continued working in Visual Effects but it changed drastically when the studios started outsourcing many jobs overseas, the salaries dropped and so many schools were teaching this that there were more applicants than opportunities. Unfortunately, there is ageism in the film industry, especially towards women and opportunities suddenly disappeared for the first time in my career. Many of my female friends who started in computer graphics in the pioneer days, found themselves without jobs.

What I have found in my life and experience is that time always moves forward. Things never stay the same. We have to have a mindset that we need to stay flexible and resilient. Not looking at obstacles but always looking at opportunities. Technology and the job market is always going to be changing and the train is going to leave the station whether you are on it or not. So do what you can to always be on that train. Find out the latest trends in technology and job opportunities and train and work to achieve what you need to do to always stay relevant.

There are many more stories I can tell but my advice is to focus on always filling a niche that isn’t saturated. Always be up on the latest trends in technology and job opportunities. Read, read, read. Get a mentor who is a master at what they do and has worked many years in the field you desire to be in. Don’t rely on your degree from a University to get you a job. Work experience, connections, having a great work ethic, and a positive attitude will always keep you employed.

Staying sober, eating healthy, and exercising, are key to maintaining and keeping your energy at full potential to reach your goals. There is a lot of time wasted by being wasted. Drugs and alcohol make people lazy, depressed, and unproductive.

Set small and large goals. Set daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals, and yearly goals. Work every day to its fullest. Every day you work towards those goals is progress. If your world crashes around you, get rest, recover, stay focused, and get up again and start over. Always move forward. Looking back too long will turn you into a pillar of salt.

I’ve experienced amazing things in my life, as well as unbelievable tragedies. Besides my businesses, I am also a founder of Sophie’s Dream, Inc. A non-profit to help heal trauma and PTSD through the arts. I help others heal, tap into their passions, and help them fulfill their dreams one step at a time. It’s all about having integrity to keep promises to yourself and others. Society is always teaching us to make decisions based on our feelings but feelings always change. They aren’t reliable. Keep your promises despite your feelings…but you never have to put up with abuse from others. Have boundaries and focus on staying calm and self-regulating your emotions. You can’t be in panic/anxiety mode and make good decisions. Your brain doesn’t work that way. Your brain can only access your critical thinking skills and logical/analytical side by staying calm in the storm. Keep your head. Have self-control. If you don’t have it, you can learn and achieve it. Everything is possible but it takes commitment and perseverance.

Your success has nothing to do with your past, your gender, your skin color, your sexuality, or your failures. Yes, there are always obstacles in life but there are always opportunities as well. Focus on the opportunities and not the obstacles.

Realize that you can’t be CEO of a corporation or a character designer at a studio by skipping the hard work. Successful people have spent many years and thousands of hours practicing, failing a lot, and getting up and trying again. Never give up but enjoy the process. Take one day at a time. Work hard. Be a great team player. Work well with others. It will always pay off eventually.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In the previous question, I explained how I got into the film industry and the process. I am currently teaching traditional and digital art and provide consultation, workshops, fine art, graphic design, and photography services. I have been a business owner and independent contractor for over 30 years. I also have an online jewelry design studio I’ve operated and run since 2011. I have all 5-star reviews for customer service and the quality of my products.

When I began my long career as a professional artist, I took many courses on how to run a successful business. Many companies focus on money first and their products and customer service are abysmal. Their companies will be short-lived. Fast Money: Getting all the clients and clicks and money you can get as fast as you can get them with absolutely no commitment to quality or customer service will eventually cause you to fail.

Customer service has to be number one. Making your customers happy is the first goal of having a successful business. That’s where your money comes from so creating a product that is not worth the money and having the customers stay on the phone for hours at a call center from across the world, is a sure way to deep failure.

Be okay with starting slow. Good things and quality services and products take time to build. The film industry has changed because they stopped focusing on quality and started focusing on quantity. Releasing massive amounts of content on various streaming services wasn’t worth watching because the story and everything else were slapped together in no time.

I’ve worked on projects for years. The rewards don’t usually come while you are working on it and you may not see financial results immediately, but if you focus on quality first, it will pay off eventually. Just because you don’t get instant results, doesn’t mean you have a bad idea. Timing is everything. Leonardo De Vinci invented the helicopter and the tank but it wasn’t created in reality until 400 years later. I’ve designed jewelry that didn’t take off until 4 years later. Keep creating and honing your ideas until you have a great product/service.

Be different. Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Fill a small niche. Focus on keeping loyal customers happy.

If you want to learn something new, create a project to learn from. You learn the most by doing. Volunteer to do this service for others for free. I’ve gotten most of my paid jobs by volunteering to do something for someone. When people see you have done good work and kept your promises, they will hire you for money.

I am most proud of the fact that my clients have stayed with me for sometimes decades. I have kept amazing relationships and friendships with people I have worked with for over 30 years. We have learned to trust that our promises are kept and we go over and above and work to achieve and finish those projects together.

Most students I mentor and teach have stayed with me for over 4 years. I have been more fulfilled sharing what I know and my experiences and watching my students grow and learn and become great artists themselves than seeing my name in the credits on the films I’ve worked on.

Focus on relationships first. Provide a service to others. Don’t make it all about you. If you do, your life will be quite lonely.

Honor your word as yourself. Be honest, trustworthy, and hardworking. Be there in the good and bad times for others.

Don’t listen to people who just want to criticize you and put you down. Constructive feedback is very different from insults. Know the difference. Stay away from those who are focusing on you failing and surround yourself with mentors and those people who encourage you in achieving your dreams.

My fine art and instruction/mentorship website and portfolio is sonserae.com
My jewelry design shop is www.sonseraedesigns.etsy.com
My non-profit to help heal trauma and PTSD through the arts is www.sophiesdream.org

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson that I have had to unlearn is that you can’t earn love. You can’t make someone appreciate you and you can’t make someone value you if they don’t. I have worked my entire life to try and earn love from people who were incapable of giving it. Most of my motivation was to try to get my family to love and appreciate me for who I am…but even at the top of my success, they couldn’t care less. I valued myself based on what they thought of me…and they hated me. So, I hated myself because of it.

No matter what I succeeded in, it was never enough. They kept raising the bar, dangling the carrot, extending the goal that was always unreachable. I surrounded myself with people who I now realize were jealous and did everything they could to destroy me and crush my soul. My big mistake was believing them. My big mistake was believing that my existence had no value. My talents and skills were worthless. I eventually came to a place where I lost my health, finances, and everything I worked for trying to please those who I would never be able to please. I wasted a lot of years. People I was always there for to love, help, and take care of didn’t have the same value for me that I had for them.

So, when I lost everything and needed help, they didn’t care if I lived or died. That was a huge trauma and wake up call for me. I believed loyalty and love went both ways…but it doesn’t. The sacrifices I constantly made for them meant absolutely nothing to them and I ended up suffering the consequences of their sins.

My therapist once told me, “You can’t buy bread in a hardware store”. Don’t waste your time with people who hate you. You are in charge of your life. Draw boundaries. Know your worth. Cut people off who are constantly toxic and destructive to your mental and physical well-being. Stay focused on moving forward and surviving, despite the naysayers.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There came a point in my life where I was in a very abusive and dangerous marriage. I had to leave to stay alive. At the time, I trusted my government, my church, the justice system, my family to help me. They all failed me. I went through the whole system only to find that I was alone in getting real help except from a higher power. My belief and faith in God pulled me through. I went through an amazing spiritual journey that kept me alive and I witnessed miracles happen every single day. I knew I went through what I did to learn wisdom for myself and to teach others those lessons so they don’t have to suffer like I did.

I interviewed a lot of people along the way. I interviewed a lot of homeless people. “How did you get here”…I was shocked to find out most were tax-paying, hard-working citizens at one time and lost everything due to being a victim of a crime or health crisis they or a family member had that made them lose everything financially.

I also realized the ones that continually stayed stuck were focusing on the past, the injustice, and waiting for the government to help them. They also chose to escape through substance abuse. Many of them were sitting on a treasure chest of gifts, talents and experiences but reaching a hand out to people and government organizations that weren’t going to help them in a real way get back on their feet.

I did the opposite. I learned very early on, to keep moving forward. Stay sober, pray, focus on productive goals, and work hard as if your life depended on it…because it does. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have. Focus on being grateful….and your gifts and talents. I looked in my treasure chest of experiences and skills and started over. I worked and worked and worked and prayed a lot until my life was restored. It has taken years.

I learned that the very successful and the very unsuccessful have the same past and experiences. It’s just one group decided to move forward and the other group decided to stay a victim. Victims have no power. When you are a victim, things just happen to you and you have no control over them or the outcome. This will keep you powerless.

Except for my upbringing as a child, I had to get to a place where I had to admit that most of the terrible things that happened to me were my fault. I allowed myself to trust the wrong people. I just assumed everyone had the same integrity as I did. I was very mistaken. There are a lot of evil people in this world…and some of them run the government, the justice system, and some are employers, churches, and family members. The only constant in these chaotic situations was me.

Wisdom is more precious than gold…because if you have wisdom, you can keep your gold. So, I set on a journey of finding wisdom to make better decisions about who I trusted and who I allowed into my life. I also decided on who I got my self-worth from. You can’t get it from mankind. I focused on having faith in the one who created me and He showed me my value and I started seeing myself how He saw me and created me.

You and I have been gifted with big purposes for our life. Every single one of us. Some people have faith to achieve those things and some people don’t. I believe we are all given the same amount of faith. Some put their faith in believing things are possible and make them a reality and some people put their faith in failing and not believing good things are possible for themselves.

We are all alive and are given another day to be different and start again. It’s never too late to heal, to learn something new, to master a skill, to grow, to be grateful, to contribute to making the world a better place using your unique gifts and talents.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sonserae.com, www.sonseraedesigns.etsy.com, www.sophiesdream.org
• Instagram: @sonseraedesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonseraeDesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonserae/
• Twitter: https://x.com/SonseraeDesigns
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sonseraedesigns

Image Credits

Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, Sonserae Leese