Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
Hello! My name is Bonnie, and I’m a Background Artist based in California. Before moving here, I lived just outside Boston. I’ve been working in the animation industry for about six years as a Background Painter, Designer, and Visual Development Artist. I’m currently working as a Background Painter at Skybound on Invincible.
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
A lot of folks talk about “breaking in” or just getting to that point where you’re ready to try—and that really resonates with me. It took me a long time—about 20 years—to get here! Before becoming a professional background artist, I was an art teacher. Though I loved teaching, my dream had always been to work in animation—ever since I saw The Little Mermaid at age eight.
I studied animation in college, but after graduating in New York City in 2002, the post-9/11 job market was rough. After a few years of struggling to find stable work, I began volunteering at the Brooklyn Museum, where I discovered a love for sharing art with kids. That experience inspired me to pursue a teaching license, and I was soon hired to teach middle school art in a Boston suburb. I spent several years in the classroom, all while continuing to build my painting skills on the side.
Over time, I realized that my true calling was as a Background Artist. In Massachusetts, teachers must earn a master’s degree to maintain their license. Since it could be in any art discipline, I pursued an MFA in Illustration and focused my thesis portfolio on painting and visual development. Shortly after graduating, I moved to California and spent two years working part-time at a school in Pasadena while continuing to grow my portfolio, network, and take on freelance gigs. Each small project helped build my resume and gain trust from studios. Finally, in 2020—at age 40—I achieved my lifelong dream and landed my first full-time animation job on Santiago of the Seas at Nickelodeon!
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
I’m especially drawn to designers with a strong personal voice, imaginative use of color, and distinctive shape language. Some of the artists who inspire me most are Scott Wills, Travis Ruiz, Jason Kraft, Jenn Ely, Katy Wu, Dan Krall, Aaron Spurgeon, Floriane Marchix, Aurélien Predal, and the Parpan brothers.
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
If I can create worlds that help tell the story and work with good people while doing it, that’s a good career in my book.
What does being in the Union mean to you?
It means having a voice and a community—working together toward a better future for our industry. Being part of the Union connects us to the history of animation and allows us to influence the direction and working conditions for future generations of artists.
Learn more about Bonnie at her website.
Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
.png)