Growing up, my passion for art was evident from an early age. I spent countless hours drawing characters that sparked my imagination, gradually evolving to creating entire comic books with intricate stories and layouts. Binding them with toothpaste along the margins; my parents never seemed to buy glue. By the time I reached 10 years old, I had already envisioned a future career in art.

When I turned 15, my family acquired our first computer. I vividly remember staying up all night, captivated by the possibilities it offered. Using our new scanner, I crafted a stop-motion animation featuring a set of dominos, inspired by Nickelodeon’s Pinwheel shorts. That moment marked the beginning of my journey into the digital realm. Over the following weeks, I immersed myself in various art programs, experimenting and honing my skills.

At 16, I ventured into marketing my art to local businesses. I secured contracts with three restaurants, providing them with a range of services including flyers, posters, websites, menus, and point-of-purchase materials. Beyond fulfilling their design needs, I actively contributed ideas to enhance their businesses. Implementing surveys and analyzing customer feedback, I devised strategies to improve customer satisfaction and drive repeat business. Witnessing the tangible improvements in each restaurant’s income and overall success solidified my belief in the potential of art as a career path. However, the pursuit of this passion would have to wait for the right moment.

Me (age 2-3) painting while “reading” the comics.

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in music, with my father being a prominent musician in the area and our grandparents also renowned in the field—leading the Fresno Orchestra and performing with legends like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.—it was only natural for my brother and me to follow suit. Thus, Sunset Jazz was born, and we embarked on a journey performing and touring with our father’s band throughout California.

During my time with Sunset Jazz, I took on the role of managing marketing materials and handling bookings and negotiations for gigs—a significant responsibility for a teenager. This experience proved invaluable and equipped me with the knowledge necessary to eventually pursue my own ventures. As our most lucrative performances were along the California coast, we relocated from Fresno to Monterey.

After approximately five years, my brother and I felt the desire to pursue separate paths, and so we parted ways to explore new opportunities independently.

Sean Ryan (age 11), Kevin Kooyumjian, and Me (age 16). Sunset Jazz original promo photo.

After our group disbanded, I transitioned into full-time work as a graphic designer. Leveraging my network from Sunset Jazz, I quickly established myself and began attracting new clients on a weekly basis. As demand for my services grew, I found myself reaching maximum capacity and consequently raised my rates, allowing me to select higher-quality projects. It took several years to build up to this point, but soon my aspirations started coming to fruition.

In 2011, I took a leap of faith and launched Pixels Graphic Design, my own design studio in Monterey, California. Within months, I found myself needing to hire additional artists, and within a couple of years, I brought on a manager. As time progressed, my studio flourished, affording me the opportunity to take on diverse and exciting projects. Collaborating with a talented team of artists, I had the privilege of working with businesses across California and learning from world-class artists in the area.

These years were truly remarkable. I met and married my wife, and my reputation as an expert in my field grew within the community. One evening, during a casual gathering with friends and acquaintances, someone remarked that the American dream was a fallacy. Yet, I couldn’t help but exchange a knowing glance with my wife, silently affirming that I was indeed living my version of that dream.

Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I had already begun restructuring my business since 2018 to work from home. Therefore, when businesses were mandated to close their offices in 2020, I was well-prepared to transition to remote work. On that day, I informed my manager that there was no need to come into the office anymore—we were now operating remotely. From then on, our tasks were managed seamlessly, with weekly production handled remotely. This newfound flexibility allowed me and my wife to welcome a child into our lives, as we found the balance between work and family in this new era.

On June 18, 2021, at 3:13am, our precious son, Luke Onyx, entered the world, full of health and wonder. My days are now filled with joyful moments spent exploring the Del Monte Forest with Luke by my side. We embark on refreshing runs along the beach bike path, Luke confidently cruising on his balance bike. Our home resonates with the sound of impromptu music sessions, as Luke tinkers with his ukulele, drums, guitars, keyboard, and microphones—each instrument perfectly sized for his tiny hands, courtesy of Amazon. His performances, though small in stature, are nothing short of spectacular. We also delight in spontaneous dance parties and attend toddler school classes, gymnastics sessions, tap and ballet lessons, fostering his growth and nurturing new friendships. When we seek relaxation, we bond over YouTube videos and explore new video games together.

Despite his lively antics, Luke graciously allows me time to work, often joining me in my office, eager to explore the world of Pixels Graphic Design. As he begins to express his dreams and aspirations, he’s already hinted that he envisions himself working alongside me at Pixels one day. While that remains to be seen, I find myself drawn to a new creative path—video games.

In my spare time, I volunteer. Well, it would be more accurate to say, I make time to volunteer. You see, that is one part of my 3-part life goals. Instead of waiting for retirement to give back, I believe in making a difference little by little along the way—employing a strategy akin to the classic video game concept of Damage Over Time (DOTS), where small efforts accumulate over time to yield significant impact.

As a member of the Rotary club, I served as the Treasurer for the Pacific Grove Rotary Club, a role through which I’ve been honored with the Service Above Self award—a testament to my dedication to community service. Additionally, I’ve been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for my contributions to the club. My commitment to service extends beyond Rotary; I’ve also been involved with the Optimist Club, assisting with their annual Children’s Cancer camp.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered with the State Mental Health Department, providing counseling support to individuals grappling with the mental health challenges exacerbated by the crisis. Furthermore, I actively participate in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) SCORE program as a business mentor and serve as the local chapter’s website advisor and support.

My wife and I also have participated in CASA, an organization dedicated to aiding foster children and advocating for those who have been abused or neglected. Through our involvement in CASA’s adoption and foster programs, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children in our community.