Hi, I'm Brian! I'm a Technical Artist and Software Evangelist with over a decade of experience in the computer graphics industry, bridging the gap between art, engineering, marketing, sales, and product development. My passion for science, technology, and art has shaped a career that spans roles as an artist, technical artist, software developer, and evangelist.

What I Do

Technical Art

I believe that every problem can be understood and solved by breaking it down to its fundamentals. My workflow isn’t about memorizing a list of fixes. It’s about deeply understanding the core principles of computer graphics, digital content creation tools, and software engineering. This foundation allows me to quickly diagnose the root cause of issues and implement solutions that are both safe and sustainable.

But technical art is more than just troubleshooting. I’ve designed asset management systems, developed APIs, gathered user feedback, and created tools that streamlined workflows. My philosophy is to always put myself in the user’s shoes. By practicing empathy, I can better understand the frustrations users face and craft solutions that truly address their needs. After all, at the end of the day, they're the ones using the tool.

Whether the answer is a quick fix or a complete system overhaul, I’m committed to finding the right approach for each unique challenge. My goal is to make technology work better for everyone involved.

Software Evangelism

As a Software Evangelist, my mission is to inspire enthusiasm, educate, and drive adoption for innovative technologies. This role goes far beyond traditional marketing. It's about building genuine connections, engaging diverse audiences, and, above all else, believing in the product.

For over five years, I have championed digital art software as the primary technical artist, playing a key role as the link connecting sales, marketing, and product teams with external stakeholders, and elevating Katana from a little-known lighting and look development tool to an industry-standard powerhouse that helped pave the way for USD. During this time, I proudly represented Foundry at SIGGRAPH and in private executive briefings, engaged clients, created training materials, developed playbooks and workflows, prototyped new features, gathered critical user feedback, and, most importantly, collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to deliver a winning product.

Digital Art

Before I ventured into technical art and software evangelism, my foundation was, and still is, in digital artistry. My journey began in high school with Illustrator and Photoshop, creating custom designs and concepts. In college, I expanded my skills to modeling and texturing hero assets, as well as producing short films. This passion led me to work professionally as a shading and lighting artist for over five years.

Curiosity has always driven me to learn beyond my primary role. I’ve developed a true generalist skillset, exploring nearly every digital content creation tool, from Photoshop to Houdini, and from concept to compositing. I believe that understanding the entire production pipeline is essential for any digital artist. It enables you to deliver your work efficiently and accurately, while anticipating the needs of both upstream and downstream departments. Proactive communication with fellow artists makes the entire process smoother for everyone involved.

My Approach

Collaboration

I thrive in multidisciplinary teams, working closely with engineers, artists, and stakeholders to deliver projects that exceed expectations. I believe great ideas can come from anywhere, at any time, you never know when something truly inspiring will capture your attention.

Communication

Whether on stage or in the boardroom, I excel at making technology accessible and exciting for diverse audiences. For me, accessibility means understanding your audience and presenting information in a clear, digestible way tailored to their needs.

Innovation

I stay at the forefront of emerging trends, ensuring my work not only meets current standards but sets new ones. I’m always seeking efficient, effective, and creative solutions that push boundaries and drive progress.

Work Ethic

I’m dedicated and persistent, often the first one in and the last one out. I believe in putting in the time necessary for success, but also in working smart. Efficiency and thoughtful effort are just as important as hard work.

Career Highlights

10+ years of experience in the computer graphics and software industries
Presented products and innovations at major trade shows and private events to large audiences
Led high-impact presentations and demos for key stakeholders and executives at major client organizations
Championed Katana’s rise from a little-known application to an industry-standard in lighting and look development
Architected a Python Qt GUI platform that enabled event-driven programming through a flexible schema
Designed comprehensive asset management systems and technical specifications
Successfully pitched and helped secure a substantial award package for a major Hollywood film, winning over a client’s preferred vendor of 20+ years
Contributed as a Digital Artist on Oscar award-winning projects
Worked as a Technical Artist on Oscar award-winning software
Served as Lead Sales and Marketing Technical Artist, transforming a niche application into an industry standard
Developed a physical voxel system capable of self-mating on all sides
Created a nearly infinitely scalable, endlessly flexible modular building system. Check it out at www.quackeon.com (website still a WIP)