The Renderosity community congratulates Boise, Idaho’s, Anniemation, who was chosen as our June, 2026 Artist of the Month! In her teen years, she lived with her brother in New York City for school at Washington Irving High, purportedly the only public all-girls school in the county. 

“It had the most amazing art program.  I got to do art for two periods a day and was exposed to all kinds of things art - museums, galleries, fashion shows, every kind of artist process imaginable,” she said.

Anniemation took some time to talk with us and give a glimpse into her design world.

Q&A with Anniemation

 What was your first interest in computers and what did you like doing with them?

 My first interest in computers was the internet in about 1993.  Having people from all over the world to converse with was so fantastic.  It was freeing and a lot easier to find people with similar interests.

 How long have you been creating art of any kind and what/when did you move into computer graphic arts?

 I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil.  I was given my first Rapidograph pen when I was about 12.  I loved that thing!  When Photoshop came out, I got a copy and I was hooked.  I could spend days inside it blending images, creating collages.  Then the year Poser 5 came out, someone on the net told me about Poser so I gave it a try.  I've been hooked since.  

 What was the process moving you from getting a first feel for the tools and software for design to creating images you were pleased with and wanted to share with others?

 I'm not sure there was a process.  I'm not shy about my art and am always ready to share it and get feedback.  In the background I'm always learning something new and trying to get better at this craft.  Most of my work is done quickly.  It's a very special one that I put a lot of time into and there are lots of those.  Anything that is entered into a contest is where I put in my time.

How would you describe your style? Would you say you have a common theme throughout your work?

I think my style changes to fit what I'm working on at the moment.  It can be classy, retro, cartoony, whatever.  Deep down I like to think my style is something of a Dr. Seuss/Arthur Rackham wannabe.  I loved Dr. Seuss books as a child and those drawings have always stayed with me.  To me the height of art was the Golden Age of Illustration.  Arthur Rackham's art is witty, emotionally evocative and entertaining.  So, if anything, I try to incorporate something of those in my art.

Where do you find your inspiration?

 I find inspiration from anything and everything around me.  I love learning about anthropology and the evolution of mankind - there's a lot of inspiration from that.  Then there's trees, weeds, plants, and any kind of animal.  Before I do a character or animal I learn as much as possible about the species. 

Currently I'm getting a lot of inspiration from my chickens.  I've had them for about 4 years and they never stop amazing me.  Chickens are so social.  Within their flock they have besties, frenemies, chickens they truly dislike and everything in between.  It's a constant reality show.  There is always a new detail I find about them at least once a day.  Something about their feathers, their faces, their feet, their personalities.

What is or are your favorite programs to use now and why?

 My favorite programs are Poser, Blender, and Substance Painter.  With these programs I can create anything I want.  Blender for modeling, Substance Painter for texturing and Poser for posing and rendering.

 How has your work changed over time? Where do you think it’s headed?

 Considering I used to do pen and ink with cross hatching, I think my art has changed quite a bit.  If anything, I would just like to get better making models and rigging.  There is always so much to learn!

What are your favorite subjects? What do you really get immersed in? You're such an important part of the Comic section, why did you become so interested in comics?

 I am as much of a writer as I am a visual artist.  Doing comics lets me combine both of these.  The pets I have at the moment I can really get stuck into, chickens or cats.  I start to examine their personalities and then try to translate that into a comic or an image.

With the arrival of AI in digital art, what are your thoughts on its use?

AI seemed scary at first.  But I think with some thought and planning it could be just another tool for artists.  I think too much of it is not good.  Packages with twenty or thirty obviously AI models and textured items only cheapens the craft.  If you use it make it your own.  Remodel it, retexture it, change it.

If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Oh, good question.  Probably Terry Gilliam.  Besides being in Monty Python, he's created some amazing films.  Brazil is my favorite movie of all time.

Have you had any kind of life experience that drives your focus in your artwork?

Nothing in particular.  I worked as a social worker and was case manager at a homeless shelter.  I used to come home emotionally wrecked every night.  Doing something artistic in the evenings or on the weekends kept me sane.  Overall though, I think I'm just wired to try and capture the world as I see it.

Is or are there other artists that influence you, or do you have a mentor that has helped at any point?

 As a child I used to steal my older brother's National Lampoon just to look at and study the crosshatching in some of the comics.  I later learned that cartoonist was Robert Crumb.

I've had several mentors.  The most important one was my high school art teacher Miss Pucci.  I was put into this all-girls school with this fabulous art program because I was from Idaho.  Miss Pucci was incredibly encouraging and was always having me enter art contests.  Her faith in me has stayed with me all of my life.

What ideas do you have for future projects?

Nothing really long term. I kinda do whatever strikes me at the moment. I'm having a lot of fun doing my comics. It was originally meant to be a three-part series. I recently got some ideas to continue it though. 

 Once the series is finished, I put the comics into a movie and upload it to YouTube. 

Part 1:  The Catpack - The Search for Zad

Part 2:  The Catpack - Kitty Einstein 

 What tips do you have for those who are just getting started in 3D artwork?

 Learn everything!  Keep learning. When you feel stuck try learning a new program or a new way of doing something. 

Is there anything else you’d like to say to the community? 

 I would like to thank everyone that has let me put them into my comic.  1971s, Ken Gilliland, Jenn Blake, Guardian Angel, Donnena, Alisa Proctor, Molly Footman, Ashley, Tima, APlus Design, hmatienzo, Clint and Lillian Hawkins, DeeMarie, Nick Scorbin, Syyd Raven, Nelson Nieves, and Tim.  Though I don't think Tim knows he was in it!