Meet Marisa Gehrig | Art Director & Fabricator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marisa Gehrig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marisa, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve always had trouble finding the right work/life balance, and honestly, I still haven’t cracked the code. I usually juggle at least two jobs at once—having variety keeps me engaged, and the extra income definitely helps. As a freelancer, I always try to set aside a little money for slower periods. That said, balancing everything can get tricky, and I’m often guilty of relying on way too much caffeine to power through the day. It’s a work in progress, but focusing on mental health has definitely been key in preventing burnout.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create miniature sets for stop-motion animation and puppetry professionally. It’s hard to choose one project I’m most proud of, as I’ve had the chance to work on many exciting ones with incredible people. While I can’t pick a favorite job, a very special one that comes to mind is puppeteering a Sonic the Hedgehog puppet – recreating popular memes for social media. Um hello? I’m Sonic?? Dream come true.

In addition to stop-motion and puppetry, I also work with a children’s theatre company, Storiwr, where I design and build sets and props for their shows. I’m proud to contribute to something that not only teaches kids about theater, but also brings them joy.

My career has largely been shaped by networking, volunteering, and constantly learning new skills. Financially, it can be tough during slow seasons, but I try to take those opportunities to learn something new that could help me down the line. An example is: during a slow period, I took an Unreal Engine crash course. Although I didn’t expect to finish the course ready for an entry-level job in the field, it gave me a solid foundation to build on for future opportunities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m always on the lookout for a great matcha latte, and some of my favorite spots for that are Camel Coffee in Loz Feliz, The Palm Coffee Bar in Burbank, and Smoky Hollow Roasters in El Segundo.

For breakfast, nothing beats a “bodega bagel” from Blvd Cafecito in Burbank.

My ideal weekend? It’s coffee + thrifting along Magnolia Blvd in Burbank. I love hunting for fun trinkets at vintage shops.

I’m also a big fan of comedy shows at the Elysian Theatre and the Lyric Hyperion. The ones with clowns and puppetry are my absolute favorite—they always bring the perfect mix of humor and creativity. They’ve definitely been an inspiration for my personal work.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to take a moment to give a special shoutout to two of my past art mentors who have truly made an impact on me.

Scott Kilmer, my high school art teacher, played a key role in my creative journey. I took his classes every semester, and it often felt like I grew up around him. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help students refine their technique. I especially appreciated his honesty in critiques—while he was straightforward with feedback, it was always aimed at helping us improve.

Eric Carlson, my 3D art professor in college, was equally influential. What stood out about him was his ability to meet every student exactly where they were in their art journey. Whether you were a beginner or more advanced, he found ways to integrate your interests with his assignments. I’ll never forget his metalsmithing class—it was so inspiring that it sparked a passion for jewelry making.

Instagram: @mawisaaaart98

Image Credits
Tiffany Liu

Garry Moore