Hi, I’m Stella

I paint as if casting a spell, feeling the magic unfurl in my hands.

For me, painting is both meditation and alchemy—a way to transform raw emotion into something beautiful.

Alongside my art, I work as an Emmy-winning Editor on shows like Storybots: Answer Time for studios like Netflix Animation. My career began in Wellington, New Zealand, where I was fortunate enough to work on projects like What We Do in the Shadows and Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy.

By twenty-two, I had earned recognition as one of New Zealand’s top 2% in my field, securing a U.S. Alien of Extraordinary Ability Green Card.

My art is an extension of my storytelling—a bridge between worlds.

With every piece, I strive to channel the essence of a place or a moment, using the fluidity of inks to explore themes of transformation and emotional depth.

Now, I’m bringing my paintings to life through animation, inviting others into my worlds of colour, light, and shadow.

Whether editing a scene or pouring ink onto paper, my goal is the same: to create art that invites others to feel, explore, and transform.

What My Day Looks Like

🌞🏙️🎨✨

Kickstarting with caffeine and cityscapes,

I go to my day job in Hollywood post-production 📽️✨

But my passion is weaving heartbeats and hues

into a tapestry of glitter and gusto 🎨❤️✨

I'm stitching two selves together - editor and artist - 🛠️🖌️

Creative metamorphosis.

Music is from @aldocmusic -

a delightful band I discovered in Ireland, creating Celtic reggae 🍀 🎧

Please check them out, they’re great! 🎵

The Tale of the Two Red Dresses…

The first dress, I wore as a Second Assistant Editor at The Hobbit Trilogy Premiere —

The producers kindly gifted me a ticket to attend the Los Angeles event as I was moving to the city,

taking a leap across the World.

The second dress, I wore as an Animatic Editor on Storybots for Netflix —

This time, with a tiny Storybot character (Boop!) on my dress,

standing alongside my team as we graciously won an Emmy.

Between these two moments, there’s been a long journey...

And today, I want to acknowledge something that’s often felt like an elephant in my own room.

The Wearer of the first dress was named Jen Metcalfe.

The Wearer of the second is called Stella Robinson Lightheart.

For years, I carried a quiet fear—

That people might see my changing name and assume I was stealing someone else’s identity to get jobs.

But here’s the truth:

I was proudly born a Robinson.

Around the age of three years old, I was kidnapped and grew up under a different name in an environment of lies and abuse.

Calling myself Stella was my way of reclaiming myself and breaking free.

It's taken a while, but now, once again, I have reconnected with my true family in England.

I am still in the process of healing, legally restoring the Robinson to my name as a
(US Citizen, British Citizen, and Kiwi Permanent Resident).

I stand in my truth.

Moreover, it was only recently that I reported everything to the authorities —
a daunting, deeply personal process, but one I do not regret.

The NZ Police met me with respect, understanding, and karakia.
Thank you.

I also need to thank the incredible people at Netflix Animation for their strong mental health policies,
which gave me the space to begin this journey.

Additionally, I need to thank my Editor and Line Producer at Titmouse Animation, who were also incredible -

their understanding and support allowed me to take the time I needed to reclaim my past.

So, as you can see, these two red dresses are more than outfits...

They represent resilience, transformation, and reclaiming my own history and persona.

To anyone else who is navigating their own journey of identity, healing, or change — you are not alone.

Keep going.

Believe in the truth, and trust there may be trophies in the future. 💫