Irena Smitakova

I am a Matte Painting Supervisor, Environment Generalist and freelance Concept Artist working for Goodbye Kansas Studios. I joined VFX industry in 2017 and had the opportunity to work with amazingly talented people and friends on film and TV projects like Shogun, The Lion King, Star Wars: Andor, , The Little Mermaid, Good Omens and many more, as well as created some cinematic DMP and 3DDMP work for cinematic trailers such as Destiny, Assasin Creed: Shadows, Concord and Forspoken.

My creative explorations go all the way back to 2008, when I got my first camera and started exploring the world through my lens, That lead me to studying Photography and Applied Media and explore different areas of art. Developing photos in the dark room, painting, filming documentaries, stop motion, graphic design, web design or music production. You name it. But then I really found my passion in Visual Effects.

I do a job that I love and that allows me to create worlds that don't exist. I also love to share this knowledge by mentoring enthusiastic artists through Think Tank Training Centre, who want to join us in this crazy running VFX business and who want to become Matte Painters, Environment Artists or want advice on some Art Direction.