Who YOU is?
Calvin O'Neill AKA CAL(vin)
I am an artist, writer and animator creating cartoons.
My journey starting out was all about collaborating with other artists that aspired to make cartoon style projects. Together, we'd make animated films, design merch, put on events to showcase work, and were always drawing, having a laugh and bouncing ideas off each other. In those days, I made my living taking commissions (and teaching), usually working with local content creators who had their own ideas for animated shows, apparel or social media content.
In my down time, I'd spend hours drawing comic strips and developing many of the ideas I am pursuing today.
(The Barmy Horde)
While I still collaborate and take commissions, I've always had many big ideas of my own too. In 2022, I shifted my focus to The Barmy Horde and started working on The Parade of Screw Ups, an indie cartoon about three clowns.
(The Parade of Screw Ups)
After a well received screening of my proof of concept at Matchstick PieHouse in Deptford, I produced a handful of shorts and began performing at alternative comedy nights alongside a rotating door of real clowns, as a caricature artist.
In August 2025 I premiered The Barmy Horde Animation Showcase at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which featured three episodes of The Parade of Screw Ups as well as several skits between episodes, bringing it to 61 minutes in total of original work. The showcase was also apart of the COMEDY Feedback Film & Screenplay Festival, winning the 2025 award for Best Feature out of over 100 submissions.
Since then, I have almost self published my first graphic novel, as well preparing to release a collection of original comic strips created over the last decade.
Additionally, I have a monthly newsletter updating readers on what I've currently got in the works, and what new things fans can check out.
So, if none of that interests you...why are you still here?!