Brainy Pixel Team

Meet the Brainy Pixel Team: A World-Class Network of Creatives Driven by Faith

At Brainy Pixel, we are humbled and blessed by the outpouring of talent God has sent our way. Each week, we receive emails from gifted artists, animators, and storytellers from around the globe who share our mission: to glorify the Most High through their craft.

Our talent pool is truly extraordinary, ranging from seasoned professionals who have worked with industry giants like Pixar and Disney to fresh, ambitious college interns eager to refine their skills and make a meaningful impact.

What does this mean for you?
It means we have the flexibility and expertise to assemble the perfect team for your project—no matter the scale or vision. Whether you're producing a faith-filled animated series, a captivating children’s book, or a bold new creative endeavor, we are committed to delivering excellence on time and within budget.

At Brainy Pixel, your vision is in the hands of a team united by faith, creativity, and a passion for telling stories that inspire. Let’s bring your ideas to life together!

Brainy Pixel Animation Studios

  • Michael Thoenes, CEO and Co-Founder of Brainy Pixel Animation Studios.

    Michael Thoenes

    Brainy Pixel CEO/Managing Partner

    The CEO and co-founder of Brainy Pixel Productions. Michael has a passion for producing God-honoring animation and media for children and families. He most recently directed and produced the award-winning show Cubekins and serves as Technical Director on Brainy Pixel's animation projects by structuring efficient software pipelines for animation production in Blender, Maya, and Unreal Engine. Michael's interests also include art instruction, video production, YouTube channel building, and all aspects of the 2D and 3D animation process

  • Brannon Hollingsworth, CCO and Co-Founder of Brainy Pixel Animation Studios.

    Brannon Hollingsworth

    Brainy Pixel COO/Creative Director

    Born to create. An author, speaker, poet, producer, publisher, game designer, content creator, script writer, art director, and unapologetic Christ-follower, Brannon is a passionate creator, teacher, and deacon of young adults who promotes family-oriented ministries. Brannon is the author or co-author of over a dozen novels, novellas, and short stories and the co-creator of a game that Forbes called “a clever idea well executed” and “excellent”.

  • Layne Laughter, CPO of Brainy Pixel Animation Studios.

    Layne Laughter

    Brainy Pixel CPO/2D Animation Director

    A visionary in multimedia production, Layne Laughter brings over two decades of diverse experience to his role as Chief Production Officer at Brainy Pixel. From launching international television programs for major churches to serving as an F-35 Aerial Videographer at Lockheed Martin, Layne's career reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation. As a leader in faith-based 2D animation, he has contributed to acclaimed series such as "Owlegories" and "Lily’s Lab." Layne is a devoted follower of Christ, dedicated to creating content that inspires and uplifts audiences worldwide.

Brainy Pixel Creative Team

  • A smiling family of three, with a woman, a man, and a small child, standing outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background.

    Mitch Bales

    3D Animation Team Lead

  • Stephen Tyler Clark

    3D Animator

  • A black and white portrait of a man with glasses and a beard, wearing a plaid shirt, standing indoors.

    David Dietrich

    Creative Director

  • Black and white collage of cartoon characters with a photo of a young woman with long, curly hair looking up, surrounded by animated characters with exaggerated expressions.

    Grace Hahn

    2D Illustrator, Social Media Artist

  • Black and white photo of a smiling woman with long wavy hair outdoors, background with blurred trees.

    Heather Hemsley

    Animation Writer

  • Steve Hooper

    Composer, Audio Engineer

  • A smiling woman with wavy hair outdoors, blurred trees in background, wearing a floral dress and a necklace.

    Kristyn Laughter

    Executive Operations Coordinator

  • A young woman with long dark hair wearing a cap and a tie-dye hoodie, smiling and holding a large slice of pizza in a shopping mall.

    Hannah Mason

    2D Illustrator, Animator, Concept Designer, Voice Actress

  • Smiling man with glasses and beard, wearing a collared shirt, standing outdoors with a brick building in the background.

    James Newton

    2D Animator

  • A woman smiling, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dark top, with long wavy hair, in front of a wooden background.

    Rachael Ravero

    Writer, Voice Actress

  • A woman wearing a cap and headphones with a white cat resting against her shoulder, eyes closed, in a black-and-white photo.

    Ang Reynolds

    Blog Writer, Scriptwriter, Admin Generalist

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with dark hair and a goatee, wearing a floral patterned shirt, smiling with a background of trees.

    Andres Rosendo

    Animator, Illustrator

  • Jacob Rothering

    3D Team

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long dark hair, smiling slightly, wearing a collared shirt and a beaded necklace, against a plain background.

    Catherine Salinas

    2D Animation Team Lead, Animator

  • A young man with dark hair, a beard, and light skin, smiling, sitting on a leather chair, wearing a patterned shirt, in a room with some decorations and photos in the background.

    Tyler White

    3D Animator

  • Black-and-white portrait of an elderly man with a full beard and slicked-back hair, dressed in a suit and tie, with a slight smile and direct gaze.

    Peter Xifo

    Voice Actor