During the last 35 years Bill has worked in the animation and film industry on over 42 films, TV shows, DVDs, short films, and video games. He began his film career as a layout artist at Walt Disney Feature Animation on Oliver and Co. and continued a string of hits Including Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, layout lead on Rescuers Down Under, and art director on Aladdin. Learn more.

Iliya Mirochnik holds a Master of Fine Arts from the renowned Repin Academy and has taught painting in the Illustration Department at Ringling College of Art and Design. He currently works in character development for ZA/UM Studios. A first-place winner in the American Portrait Society’s International Portrait Competition, his work bridges classical Russian training with modern entertainment art. Learn more.

🏆 NMA Curriculum Specialist

Catherine Bobkoski is a New Masters Academy Instructor and still life and figurative artist whose work celebrates the quiet beauty of ordinary things. Her delicate paintings of flowers are exhibited nationally, including at the Oil Painters of America 2021 National Juried Exhibition. Learn more.

Diego Lucia is a highly skilled and experienced drawing teacher specializing in training artists and animators for the entertainment industry. With years of experience in the field, Diego has worked with some of the biggest names in animation, film, and gaming, helping to hone the skills of their artists and designers. Learn more.

🏆 NMA Curriculum Specialist

Marian Littlejohn is an award-winning artist, educator and an active member of the NMA community. You may know her well as Stem! Portraiture was her passion at school and convinced her that she wanted the arts to be a core part of her life. Marian graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a First Class Degree in Fine Art Printmaking, having worked across many media including, drawing and painting, lithography, etching, screen-printing and bookmaking. Learn more.

Kiley Ames lives and works in Los Angeles and Oakland, CA. She received her BA in History from UCLA, a BFA from Art Center College of Design and an MFA from the New York Academy of Art. Learn more.