Donna Kay Lau is an Emmy-honored animator, author, and illustrator with over 25 years of experience creating for major networks like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Throughout her career, she has contributed her talents to iconic children's programming such as Dora the Explorer, CatDog, Oswald the Octopus, and the Emmy-winning Regular Show. As a versatile storyteller, she has transitioned her industry expertise into her own independent studio, Art is On ProDUCKtions, where she serves as the creator and visionary behind the expansive Surf Soup® universe. This multimedia franchise includes a collection of over 100 children's books, many of which have become Amazon best-sellers, alongside a podcast and an upcoming animated series. Her work often blends entertainment with education, focusing on themes of ocean conservation, creativity, and resilience. A central milestone in her independent career is the hand-drawn animated short film, Surf Soup® Buttons, which successfully completed an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run in Hollywood in September 2025. Surf Soup TV The film is a deeply personal "love letter" to Lau's Chinese American heritage, inspired by her childhood memories in her grandfather's Los Angeles laundry during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act. In this whimsical and poetic story, a magical laundry transforms everyday garments and buttons into gateways of imagination and resilience.
Lau meticulously animated every frame by hand on paper to preserve the tactile intimacy of memory and the authentic texture of traditional 2D animation. Beyond the animation desk, Lau is a dedicated triathlete and wellness expert with more than two decades of experience as a fitness trainer. She integrates this passion for health into her brand through books like Bikini for Life and educational curricula on platforms like Outschool. Whether through her hand-drawn animations or her "Talk Story" podcast, Lau remains committed to inspiring children and families to "grit your teeth" and "paddle out" toward their dreams. Surf Soup TV.