
Jiri JacknowitZ
jiri jacknowitz
DAY JOB: CG 2D Paint & Rotoscope Artist
PASSION PROJECTS: Painting | Drawing
Jiri Jacknowitz was born and raised in Marin County, California, and grew up immersed in music and fine art. Inspired by his painter father and singer mother, he developed a deep appreciation for visual storytelling and the unexpected, which guided his creative path. He first pursued music, a path that enriched his foundation, before being drawn to the world of visual effects.
Over more than 20 years at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Jiri contributed to 62 films as a 2D Paint & Rotoscope Artist on projects such as Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. His work honed a unique perspective on crafting imaginative worlds and unexpected imagery.
Now based in Amherst, Massachusetts, Jiri channels those experiences into his own surreal paintings, blending the discipline of visual effects with a deeply personal artistic vision, while raising his two children.