,Jim Watkins — Co-Founder
I'm a VFX Generalist and Houdini FX TD with over 20 years of experience in the art industry, ranging from photography and 2D graphic design to 3D simulations, technical art, and animation. My greatest passion in the 3D realm is texture art, and it's my belief that the "small details nobody ever sees" are the ones that make the larger picture tangible. I love creating PBR textures that cross the threshold from render to reality - surfaces you feel like you could reach out and touch. I also have a huge passion for physics-based simulations, and have worked hard to become genuinely proficient in Houdini workflows (including FLIP fluids, pyro, Vellum cloth, and procedural systems using VEX and Python). I'm also an avid proponent of human creation, and I think it's worth being clear about where I stand on AI. I'm no Luddite, and I leverage machine learning processes in many workflows, but I believe that AI as a final deliverable sacrifices the quality and control you get from intentional, craft-driven work. Slop is not a substitute for craft at any saved cost. Beyond 3D, I have experience in photography, videography, compositing, color grading, and lighting, all of which inform how I see and approach every project I take on. Drop me a connection if you'd like, I'm always open to meeting new people in the industry.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a VFX and 3D art specialist with a strong background in gaming and digital media.
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
Experience: 6 yrs 2 mos
Skills
- Vfx
- 3d Generalist
- Character Art
- Game Development
- Photography
- Real Estate Photography
- Process Management
- Operations
- Operations Management
- Team Leadership
- Artisan Craftsmanship
- Business Management
- Videography
- Digital Marketing
- Brand Management
Career Highlights
- 20 years of experience in VFX and 3D art.
- Expert in Houdini workflows and physics-based simulations.
- Passionate about creating realistic PBR textures.
Work Experience
Watkins Creatives
Owner (1 yr 8 mos)
Synergy Marketing Consultants
Photographer (10 mos)
Son of Litch studios
Character Artist (1 yr 4 mos)
Amazon
Process Assistant (4 yrs 1 mo)
Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours
General Manager (2 yrs 2 mos)
MSI Maui
Staff Photographer (2 yrs 1 mo)
Maui's Beach House
Art Director (1 yr 11 mos)
Resurrect Dead Surfboards
Owner (3 yrs 9 mos)
US Airbag
Lead Artist (3 mos)
Smokin Snowboards
Freelance Photographer (2 yrs 4 mos)
YoBeat Snowboarding
Freelance Photojournalist (2 yrs 2 mos)
Education
Bachelor of Arts - BA at Southern New Hampshire University
High School Diploma at Glastonbury High School
