Moana was released at a pivotal moment in my life. At the time, I was 27 years old and had achieved every career goal in healthcare that my Asian mother set out for me. I had a high salary, great health insurance, and a pension plan. This is what dreams are made of, right? However, I still found myself wondering why I was deeply unhappy and if I was meant to do something else. When Moana sang, “I wish I could be the perfect daughter, but I come back to the water no matter how hard I try”, I broke down and realized I too needed to find my own path. Thus began my own version of restoring the Heart of Te Fiti and discovering my self-identity. For the next three years, I embarked on a journey to explore other opportunities. I methodically tested eight artistic career paths including: children’s book illustration, comic book writing, concept art, UX/UI, 2D animation, canvas painting, graphic design, and 3D modeling. I discovered Character Modeling is my “glass slipper”; it’s the perfect fit. The balance of left and right brain utilization is sublime. The technical side of me enjoys manipulating shapes to build precise, accurate depictions of the third dimension. At the same time, the creativity involved in bringing the magic, sass, quirk, and/or whimsy to a static character fills me with the utmost joy. An opportunity with your studio as a 3D Character Artist will allow me to take my 3D Modeling passion & skills and breathe life into new, inspiring, unique characters. Additionally, as I make this career pivot at the age of 31, I am confident that I will bring a level of professionalism, expertise in anatomy, collaborative teamwork, integrity, tenacious work ethic, and intense passion to a 3D Character Artist position. I would relish the opportunity to apply these skills within an amazing team at your studio and most importantly, would be thrilled to learn under the tutelage of exceptionally talented artists. Portfolio: https://soongstephanie.artstation.com/