Sleeping Beauty Proposal

What a creative and epic way to propose. So happy that he enlisted the help of talented animator Kayla Coombs to make something so special:

Lee Loechler approached me in 2019 to create the artwork for his proposal to his high school girlfriend, whose favourite movie was Sleeping Beauty. What followed was a response neither of us anticipated – over 70M views, a surprise appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, a Webby People’s Voice Award Nomination for Viral Video of the Year and a lasting friendship.

Kayla Coombs is a powerhouse of visual storytelling.

Her iconic characters are designed with love and care to tap into your deepest childhood joys. She creates with a mix of playfulness and authenticity, and proudly uses her characters to spread messages of diversity, empowerment and inclusivity.

Her extensive body of work spans animation, picture books, graphic novels, album artwork, cryptoart, merchandise and commercial illustration. Characters created in her Melbourne home studio, on Wurundjeri land, bring joy to millions around the world.

Kayla is just as warm and vibrant as her artwork. She found her way to a creative career after completing her Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) under the prestigious Chancellor’s Scholar program at the University of Melbourne, and working as an analytical chemist for two years. She creates for the pure love of it, and that passion shines through in every pencil stroke.

She is a creative ray of sunshine to watch.