J. Everett Young is a Louisville-based visual artist, illustrator, and educator with over 20 years of professional experience. A Magna Cum laude graduate from Bowie State University, his work spans traditional and digital media which bridges fine art, animation, and cultural storytelling. His recent commissions include historical paintings for the Maryland Historical Society celebrating African American history. Young has led creative teams at OVFX Animation Studio and directed animated content for HBO's Random Acts of Flyness, while maintaining a commitment to arts education through his years teaching K–8 students in Washington, DC and Denver CO. He is a generalist encompassing everything from traditional painting and character design to 3D environmental art, Everett works to create images that are technically accomplished yet emotionally resonant, transporting viewers into worlds both real and imagined.…

J. Everett Young

J. Everett Young is a Louisville-based visual artist, illustrator, and educator with over 20 years of professional experience. A Magna Cum laude graduate from Bowie State University, his work spans traditional and digital media which bridges fine art, animation, and cultural storytelling. His recent commissions include historical paintings for the Maryland Historical Society celebrating African American history. Young has led creative teams at OVFX Animation Studio and directed animated content for HBO's Random Acts of Flyness, while maintaining a commitment to arts education through his years teaching K–8 students in Washington, DC and Denver CO. He is a generalist encompassing everything from traditional painting and character design to 3D environmental art, Everett works to create images that are technically accomplished yet emotionally resonant, transporting viewers into worlds both real and imagined.…

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J. Everett Young is a Louisville-based visual artist, illustrator, and educator with over 20 years of professional experience. A Magna Cum laude graduate from Bowie State University, his work spans traditional and digital media which bridges fine art, animation, and cultural storytelling. His recent commissions include historical paintings for the Maryland Historical Society celebrating African American history.

Young has led creative teams at OVFX Animation Studio and directed animated content for HBO's Random Acts of Flyness, while maintaining a commitment to arts education through his years teaching K–8 students in Washington, DC and Denver CO. He is a generalist encompassing everything from traditional painting and character design to 3D environmental art, Everett works to create images that are technically accomplished yet emotionally resonant, transporting viewers into worlds both real and imagined.
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Animation Director at HBO's Random Acts of Flyness
February 1, 2022 - April 1, 2023
Led remote team of 8 artists creating an animated segment for HBO series; developed character designs, style guides, and a comprehensive pitch deck; collaborated with the show creator and producers; created and animated key character sequences and background elements; delivered a one-minute segment meeting the creator's artistic vision.
Principal 3D Artist / Concept Artist at OVFX Animation Studio
May 2, 2021 - November 5, 2025
Principal 3D artist responsible for all asset creation and environmental design; Lead environmental layout designer, establishing art direction for all scenes; Develop comprehensive asset pipelines from concept to final implementation; Create and maintain material libraries and texturing standards; Collaborate with directors and producers to ensure artistic vision aligns with project goals; Mentor junior artists and provide technical direction for asset creation.
Cultural Artist at Maryland Historical Society
September 1, 2023 - May 1, 2024
Created two commissioned historical paintings celebrating Black history in Maryland; Work exhibited at Bowie State University before permanent installation at Maryland Historical Society; Conducted extensive historical research to ensure cultural and period accuracy; Collaborated with historical society curators to develop authentic narrative elements.
Visual Art Teacher (K-8) at Fillmore Art Center
August 20, 2012 - June 2, 2016
Implemented and developed established curriculum in Visual Arts based on individual students' developmental needs; Integrated Visual Arts with other areas of study as part of arts integration focus; Identified student improvement areas and worked with families and internal resources; Assessed student progress through detailed portfolio reviews and progress tracking.
Terrain Artist at Crooked Road Project
October 1, 2011 - May 20, 2012
Owned full environmental art pipeline from concept to final implementation; Created modular environmental assets with varying levels of detail for performance optimization; Established material libraries and texture standards for the project; Implemented dynamic lighting solutions to enhance environmental storytelling; Collaborated with level design to ensure environments supported gameplay requirements.
Animator / Modeler at U.S. Department of Agriculture
May 31, 2011 - June 29, 2011
Key member of multidisciplinary team creating an animated PSA; Managed all stages of image and animation development; Followed strict technical specifications while meeting critical deadlines.
Principal Artist & Creative Lead at OVFX Animation Studio
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2025
Led all visual development as principal artist for an animation studio, directing environmental design, character art, and illustration from concept through final delivery. Established art direction and visual standards across projects. Collaborated closely with directors and producers to realize creative vision. Mentored junior artists and provided ongoing creative and technical guidance.
Animation Director at HBO – Random Acts of Flyness
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Directed a remote team of 8 artists in producing an animated segment for the HBO series. Developed character designs, style guides, and pitch materials. Created and animated key sequences while coordinating directly with the show creator and production team. Delivered finished segment on schedule and to the creator’s artistic vision.
Visual Arts Teacher, K–8 at Fillmore Arts Center
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Designed and delivered visual arts curriculum for elementary students, integrating art with core academic subjects as part of an arts-integration model. Adapted instruction to meet diverse developmental needs and learning styles. Assessed student progress through portfolio reviews and parent conferences. Collaborated with classroom teachers to create interdisciplinary learning experiences.
Environmental Artist at Crooked Road Project
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Managed the full creative pipeline for environmental artwork, from concept sketches through finished illustrations and digital assets. Designed lighting and visual compositions to enhance storytelling. Collaborated with the broader creative team to ensure artwork supported the project’s narrative and functional goals.
Animator & Modeler at U.S. Department of Agriculture
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Contributed to a multidisciplinary team producing an animated public service announcement. Managed image development and animation stages while meeting strict government specifications and deadlines.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts at Bowie State University
August 20, 2018 - May 26, 2023
3D Animation + Interactive Media Certificate at Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts
August 9, 2010 - June 30, 2012
Animation Academy at The Animation Academy, Burbank, CA
January 8, 2007 - September 15, 2009
B.S. at Bowie State University
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2023
3D Animation & Interactive Media Certificate at Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2012
Animation Academy Program at The Animation Academy
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication & Digital Media Arts
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2023
3D Animation + Interactive Media Certificate
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2012
Animation Academy
January 8, 2008 - September 15, 2009
3D Animation & Interactive Media Certificate
May 1, 2012 - February 13, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Government, Non-Profit Organization
    paper HBO's Random Acts Of Flyness

    Lead remote team of 8 artists in creating animated segment for HBO series.
    Developed character designs, style guides, and comprehensive pitch deck.
    Collaborated directly with show creator and producers through virtual meetings.
    Created and animated key character sequences and background elements.
    Delivered one-minute animated segment meeting creator’s artistic vision.

    paper Cultural Artist ( Fine Arts)

    Created two commissioned historical paintings celebrating black history in Maryland.
    Works exhibited at Bowie State University before permanent installation at Maryland historical societies.
    Conducted extensive historical research to ensure cultural and period accuracy.
    Collaborated with historical society curators to develop authentic narrative elements.

    paper Kulipari ( An Army Of Frogs) Video Game

    Served as principal character and concept artist responsible for all villain and boss creations.
    Created character layout designs while establishing art direction for certain characters.
    Develop comprehensive character pipelines from concept to final implementation.
    Create and maintain material libraries and texturing standard.
    Collaborate with directors and producers to ensure artistic vision aligns with project goals.

    paper Kulipari (An Army Of Frogs) Film

    Served as principal 3D artist responsible for all asset creation and environmental design.
    Created environmental layout designs while establishing art direction for all scenes.
    Develop comprehensive asset pipelines from concept to final implementation.
    Create and maintain material libraries and texturing standard.
    Collaborate with directors and producers to ensure artistic vision aligns with project goals.