WVCSD Artist of the Week: Finbar O'Connor

Warwick Valley High School junior Finbar O’Connor is an award-winning digital artist and active community leader. When he’s not creating intricate illustrations, he volunteers at local events, participating in student leadership groups, and supporting his school’s art program.

His most recent digital piece, “Chernobyl Fairy,” earned him a Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key – one of the competition’s highest regional honors – and recognition at the Orange-Ulster BOCES Humanities Honoree Awards Breakfast.

The piece was inspired by a mythical creature from “Finding Faeries” by Alexandra Rowland. While the character isn’t visually described in the book, it sparked Finbar’s imagination and led him to design his own interpretation, blending fantasy with historical tragedy.

“It represents the devastation in Ukraine and its long-term effects in a very literal sense, especially because the damage is happening to a fairy, which is a symbol of innocence,” he said.

Storytelling has always been at the heart of Finbar’s artistic journey.

“Something that inspired me a lot when I was a beginner artist was anime,” he said. “I used to draw anime and copy everything I saw in TV shows and things like that.”

Shows like “The Promised Neverland” and “Over the Garden Wall” – each with its own distinct style – helped shape his approach. By blending elements from both, Finbar began to develop a voice that felt entirely his own. That early spark eventually evolved into a signature style defined by dynamic characters, intricate detail and narrative depth. Qualities that have made his work stand out.

“Finbar is not afraid to take risks with his art or try new mediums,” Kristen Spano, Warwick Valley art teacher, said. “He rises to each new challenge and completes his work with such pride and attention to detail. He works hard and continues to push the boundaries with his art.”

Since receiving a tablet in middle school, Finbar has gravitated toward digital art for its flexibility and precision.

“It’s a lot easier for me to put everything I’ve got into a piece when there are unlimited resources,” he explained. “With digital art, you don’t need a paintbrush or water. Everything you need is right there on the screen.”

Mastering the program Clip Studio Paint came with challenges, but Finbar embraced them. With a solid foundation from years of traditional practice, he was inspired by the program’s possibilities and committed to pushing his work even further.

Each piece Finbar creates is a labor of love, often requiring hours of careful attention and revision. He recalls spending the most time on Chernobyl Fairy’s wings, making sure each one had its own unique design. The cotton field in the background was just as meticulous, requiring layer upon layer of detail.

“I had to take it layer by layer, making sure nothing overlapped,” he said. “And if it did, I had to erase it and start over.”

While dedication and persistence are behind Finbar’s successes, he clearly has innate talent as well. Finbar explained that artistic ability didn’t exactly run in the family.

“Both of my parents have, like, no ability in the arts,” he laughed. “But my grandfather on my mom’s side and my grandmother on my dad’s side could paint, so maybe it skipped a generation.”

As a junior, Finbar is already laying the groundwork for his future in the arts. He recently completed a pre-college course in Illustration Portfolio at the Fashion Institute of Technology. This summer, he plans to continue his studies with a visual arts course at SUNY Fredonia.

Outside of creating, Finbar remains deeply involved in community service. Through the Youth Coalition, Youth Advisory Board and Art Club, he volunteers at events like Applefest and helps organize fundraisers for causes that benefit the community.

Art Club holds special meaning, not just for the projects Finbar gets to participate in, but for the opportunity to support art teacher Ms. Spano.

“It’s because of her that I even learned about art competitions like the Scholastic Art Awards or the Humanities Honoree,” he said. “She gives so much of herself to her students and genuinely cares. If I didn’t have her in my life, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. On top of that, she’s just an awesome person, and I look forward to seeing her every day.”

Looking ahead, Finbar plans to pursue a degree in Illustration or Sequential Art, with the goal of illustrating comics professionally. Fashion Institute of Technology is currently at the top of his list, but he’s staying open to new opportunities.

For now, his advice to aspiring artists is simple: lean into what excites you.

“The best advice I can give beginner artists is to pull from what inspires you,” he said. “Whether it’s TV shows, comics, or anything that sparks your creativity, use that to shape your own unique style. That’s how you create original work. You don’t want your art to just be a replica of someone else’s.”