Page 23 - KC Cunningham Issue

built the replica at home and constructed large portions of it,
which she brought with her when she traveled to Charlotte
to build it live during their celebration. Mariann has come a
After 5 years Mariann left LEGOLAND to explore her career long way from that young girl playing with that small bag of
options. As Mariann states, “I am a freelance LEGO artist LEGOS brought home from a trip to a thrift store. Partially
now and one of the only female LEGO artist in the world.” driven by the negativity she received as a child when she
She is now commissioned by companies, municipalities and voiced her dreams of becoming a Master Builder, she was
private individuals to create LEGO projects. “My first job determined to prove everyone wrong, and she has certainly
was from Warner Brothers Interactive for their Batman LEGO accomplished this. Her Mom and Dad are extremely proud
video game launch. "They commissioned me to do the cover of what she has accomplished and her Dad no longer asks
art for the video game . One of my favorite jobs was to cre-
ate a replica of the Afro-American Cultural Center in Char- her when she is going to stop playing with children’s toys.
lotte, North Carolina for the Lowes Pride Awards, an annual
African-American awards ceremony.” For this particular proj- *LEGO is the registered trademark of The LEGO Group
ect Mariann was sent photos of the center in advance. She
San Diego Woman

23

Newest Staff Member

San Diego Woman Welcomes are Newest and Cutest Staff
Member. Our amazing Creative Director Sonali Soni and hus-
band Nakul welcomed their son Shaan on October 15, 2009.
Shaan has already assisted us by sitting on Mommy’s Lap while
she created the wonderful layout and design for this issue.
Thanks Shaan we love your work!

March/April 2010