Erin O'Connor
Background Artist

Visual development artist and background painter in the animation industry. Creative problem solver who enjoys utilizing color and light to produce works with strong emotional resonance.

Skills
Photoshop
Blender
Illustrator
InDesign
Digital and Traditional Painting
Photo Editing
Microsoft Office
SketchUp
Nuke
Matte Painting
Teaching
Collaboration
Experience
Nickelodeon
Remote
Freelance Background Painter
June 2023​ to July 2023​

  • Painted 2D background layouts for an unannounced animated series. 
  • Implemented feedback from art director.  

Hornet
New York City / Remote
Story and Design Intern
Oct. 2022​ to Jan. 2022​

  • Work alongside creative directors to assist a number of projects from the pitch phase to production.
  • Thumbnail, board revisions, develop style frames, create color keys, line art cleanup, and paint backgrounds.

  • Ensure a consistent visual style is maintained throughout the backgrounds of the animation.

Xalter
Remote
Visual Development Artist
June 2022​ to July 2022​
  • Provided Visual Development for an unannounced film, including but not limited to color/lighting keys, environment design, and paint. 
Academy @ the Focus
Remote
Student
Sept. 2021​ to Nov. 2021​

  • Attended classes with professional matte painters. 
  • Utilized Photoshop, Nuke, and Maya to create matte paintings, and a projected matte painting. 

Children's Media Association
Remote
Mentee
July 2021​ to Dec. 2021​

  • This mentorship program is dedicated to further helping members lead, innovate, and shape the future of children’s media. 

Women In Animation
Remote
Mentee Apprenticeship
Apr. 2021​ to Aug. 2021​

  • Participated in the WIA mentorship program: Matte Painting & Background Art in the Entertainment Industry with Alyssa Zarate.

Quogue Library
90 Quogue Street, Quogue, NY 11959
Website Manager and Graphic Designer
May 2021​ to Nov. 2021​

  • Conceptualized visuals based on scheduled programs and events.
  • Incorporated critiques and feedback into designs to create an end product that was on-brand.
  • Sent e-blasts to keep patrons up to date with library events.
  • Managed website and social media content.

Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, NY
Science Researcher and Educator
Aug. 2018​ to June 2021​

  • Teach elementary through high school students science lessons that were discovery-based and hands-on.
  • Create well-designed, engaging presentations to convey information to students.
  • Updated lessons to be virtual, but still hands-on for remote teaching during the pandemic.

Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, NY
Remote Sensing Intern
Aug. 2017​ to Aug. 2018​
  • Summer 2018: Mapped vegetation composition in tropical rainforests using satellite data. Managed database of satellite imagery.
  • Spring 2018: Researched plant physiology and spectral response to drought.
  • Fall 2017: Researched environmental DNA. Won poster presentation award at the Early Career Research Symposium.

Volunteering
Insert Studios · Visual Development & Lead Background Painter
Feb. 2022​ to Current

  • Work closely with production staff to create designs that determine the production's mood, style, and color palette. 
  • Present designs and incorporate feedback from teammates to create quality work for productions.
Warrior Art Camp · Camp Helper
Mar. 2022​ to Current

  • Send emails and discord notifications throughout the course period.
  • Manage Warrior Art Camp Zoom sessions including recording sessions, moderating, and guiding file sharing. 
  • Assist and engage students and instructors by scheduling discord events, resolving technical issues, and responding to students in discord. 
  • Organize Community events including a Graphic Novel Book Club and MapCrunch painting sessions.

Women in Animation · Volunteer Graphic Designer
Mar. 2021​ to June 2021​

  • Created content for social media that is in line with WIA's core value of increasing diversity in the animation industry. 
  • Utilized Airtable and Slack to communicate with WIA members and fellow volunteers.

Education
Stony Brook University
Aug. 2013​ to May 2017​
B.S. Biology ​
Summa cum laude | GPA 3.93
University of Sussex, United Kingdom
Sept. 2016​ to Dec. 2016​
Study abroad