Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
I grew up in the Bay Area, and I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house as a young kid. Some of that time was spent playing board games or doing puzzles with my grandma or picking tomatoes with my grandpa in his garden. But I also spent a lot of time watching Disney animated films on VHS. Films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Alice in Wonderland permanently changed the chemistry of my brain. I knew from a young age that when I grew up, I wanted to create something that moved people as I was moved by these movies.
I ended up moving to Los Angeles to attend ArtCenter College of Design, and eventually I was accepted into the Nickelodeon internship program. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my animation career! Everyone working at Nickelodeon was beyond kind and incredibly talented. I ended up getting hired as a Storyboard Revisionist on The Loud House right after my internship ended, and while I enjoyed my role, my heart was set on background painting. I had always enjoyed working in color, and I loved how a background painting could stand alone and still be a work of art, like the backgrounds in Sleeping Beauty. Luckily by the next season of the show, I had the opportunity to pivot to a background painting role.
I spent over seven years working at Nickelodeon on various shows including The Casagrandes, Baby Shark’s Big Show!, Monster High, and Santiago of the Seas. I also freelanced for other studios such as Warner Bros. Animation and Bento Box, until I was hired at Disney Television Animation in 2022. I started by freelancing on the show Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, and eventually I was hired full time by the multiplatform team to paint backgrounds for Chibiverse and As Told By Chibi series. After a couple years on the team, I was promoted to Background Paint Lead. I have created so much work that I am genuinely proud of, and couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
I struggle with imposter syndrome, even after working in animation for over 10 years. I am also a lifelong perfectionist, but I have been working on shifting my mindset away from the impossible standards I sometimes set for myself.
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
I have so many inspirations! One of the most influential artists on my personal style is Mary Blair. Every time I study one of her paintings, I learn something new. I am also endlessly inspired by my colleagues in animation. I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by so much talent.
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
Just as I was inspired by Disney films growing up, I hope to work on projects that inspire the next generation to create their own art. I also aim to be a source of guidance to anyone just entering the animation industry. So many people working in animation went out of their way to answer my questions and recommend me for jobs I applied to when I was first starting out, and I would like to pay it forward.
What does being in the Union mean to you?
I’m so grateful for the Union! It means fair wages, a supportive community, and affordable therapy—$5 co-pay? Yes please!
You can learn more about Lauren at her website.
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