ABOUT ELISE
Elise Dimick is a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, and educator from Redwood City, California. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Storyboarding from the Academy of Art University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from UC Berkeley, where she developed a concentration in Art for Environmental Education.
Her creative background spans animation, illustration, fine arts, and arts education, with production experience at Big Grin Productions and Real Art Daily. In 2023, her illustrations were published in the children's book The Five Little Snowkids through Pen-It Publications. She also developed curriculum illustrations for environmental education companies like The Planet Bee Foundation and Recology Waste Zero in San Francisco.
Inspired by the natural world and the art of storytelling, Elise explores a variety of mediums, including watercolor, gouache, and acrylic painting; figure drawing, charcoal drawing, animation, and graphic design. Alongside her studio practice, she is passionate about making the arts accessible through education, public art, and community engagement, with an emphasis on art that celebrates the environment.
ELISE DIMICK
Curriculum Vitae
ARTIST · ILLUSTRATOR · ANIMATOR · EDUCATOR
EDUCATION
MFA, Storyboarding — Academy of Art University | 2022–2025
Studied Storyboarding and 2D animation, concept art, background painting, screenwriting and visual narrative. Developed three short animated films.
BS, Interdisciplinary Studies — University of California, Berkeley | 2019
Individualized major: Art for Environmental Education. Created a portfolio of children's educational art about environmental issues.
SELECTED CREATIVE PRACTICE & PROJECTS
MFA Graduate Thesis — Academy of Art University | 2022–2025
Created three short animated films through MFA studies.
The Five Little Snowkids — Children’s Book Illustrator | Dec 2023
Illustrated Paragon Montessori’s first children’s book through Pen It Publications.
Independent Fine Art — Mural Artist | June 2016 - Sept 2026
Painted murals in establishments like Local Kitchens in Davis, Lalimes Restaurant in Berkeley, and the Sierra Point Yacht Club, as well as homes and elementary school gardens. Art is presented for sale in Madhouse Coffee in Brisbane, CA.
ARTS EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION
Amergis Healthcare Staffing — Paraeducator | Aug 2026–present
Supports sixth-grade students through individualized academic, social-emotional and behavioral assistance.
Boys & Girls Club, Menlo Park — Youth Program Leader | Apr–Aug 2026
Planned and led fourth-grade educational and enrichment activities.
Paragon Montessori — Teaching Assistant & Arts Teacher | Sept 2019–Dec 2025
Designed and taught arts curriculum incorporating visual arts, yoga, dance (Zumba), and songs for graduation performances; supported individual learning and school events.
Clifford Elementary School — Zumba Kids Instructor | Jan–Jun 2025
Choreographed and taught dance to elementary students; planned and facilitated a spring showcase.
Planet Bee Foundation — Curriculum Artist & Educator | Aug 2018– Jan 2023
Created arts-integrated educational materials and supported environmental education.
Recology Waste Zero — Curriculum Artist Intern | June – Jan 2020
Created illustrations for Recology’s Waste Education Program to teach about the difference between the conventional farm-to-waste pipeline vs. the closed-circle (organic) farm-to-waste pipeline.
ANIMATION & PRODUCTION
Big Grin Productions — Production Assistant | Jan–Sep 2022
Facilitated communication across production teams, maintained animator task lists, documented meetings and contributed to story-development discussions for the film Luki and the Lights.
Real Art Daily – Production Assistant | Jan–June 2022
Facilitated communication across production teams, maintained animator task lists, documented meetings and contributed to story-development discussions, created storyboards for the film Yarnia.
PUBLIC ART, AWARDS & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Redwood City Arts Council — Commissioner | Aug 2022 - Aug 2024
Appointed to review public-art proposals and participate in arts-funding decisions.
Redwood City Community Art Grant — Recipient | Aug 2022
Awarded funding to design and paint educational pollinator-themed bee boxes for elementary school gardens.
PERFORMANCE & ADDITIONAL ARTISTIC TRAINING
Leela Improvisational Theatre — Student | Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
Completed three improvisational theatre classes.
Academy of Art University — Improv Team Member | Aug 2023 - Dec 2025
Practiced improvisational acting through games and scene work.
Zumba / Zumba Kids — Certified Fitness Instructor | Aug 2023 - Present
Instruction and choreography for children and adult participants.
SELECTED SKILLS
Visual storytelling · Storyboarding · 2D Animation · Character and Narrative Development · Painting and Illustration · Arts Curriculum Development · Creative Production · Group Facilitation · Children’s Education · Dance and Movement Instruction · Adobe Creative Cloud · Rough Animator · Procreate · Public Speaking · Creative Collaboration ·