About ME

My background and about me page:
Kevin Dean Sundquist

I grew up around Issaquah/Bellevue Washington area located in King County, about 15-17 miles east-southeast of Seattle, at the south end of Lake Sammamish. It is a suburb of Seattle, surrounded by the Issaquah Alps (Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain, and Tiger Mountain), and is known as a destination for outdoor activities. I lived and grew up and reared and raised there all my life but was born in Ellensburg in April 26 of 1983 ( ref: Wikipedia).

I had a good and fun childhood and was raised with a caring family with a mom and a dad, two older siblings who were also boys. I lived a happy childhood learning and experiencing all I could in my early and young life. I grew up and went to school nearby and tried my hardest to achieve what I wanted in my schooling career. I had many interests and goals in elementary and middle school but soon things to change in my life. As they do! For the longest time I wanted to be a singer in late elementary to middle school in Choir and I was actually quite good, however, as I said before things change over time as I matured and grew up and matured and went through what we call "puberty." I soon went to High School in Issaquah and did many great things that was rewarding and great at the time. It was who I met in high school were the ones I remember the most.

Growing up is a hard thing to do:

My dad at an early age was discovering a change in my weight and realized it would later become somewhat of a problem. He enlisted me in to Boy Scout troop 609 where I met similar comrades and other great friends that changed my life. I soon after learning great new ways and lifestyle I became aware of my physical abilities. The scouts and friend’s parents went on long hikes. It started short but in no time, we were hiking up to 50 to 70 or more miles at a time. One time we even hiked over fifty miles and climbed to the highest top of Mount Hood: Now that’s an accomplishment to remember. You can see an example of such a hike in my artwork design "MT. Hood" In the "portfolio" section of this website. In the midst of school, scouting, and more I joined the Cross Country and Track team at Issaquah High School and ran the mile and two miles. I was first introduced into running in late middle school as my friend Sam Messe saw my potential and encouraged me to try out! So, I did.

I soon went back to school but on the weekends, I stilled trekked with my Scouts up mountains such as Mount Adams, Hood, Baker, St. Hellens, and even go as far as camp Muir on MT. Rainer. In through all of his I was still in school and keep moving forward: So, I did! I decided to focus on my art and learning computers and that where it started my drive to study art and design. I took many computer and art courses in high school and as I remember it was challenging and fun at the same time. I first took classes in High school level in keyboarding and art in my first year. I learned how to type and draw quickly and accurately. I learned typing when it was still a big thing in the tech world in high school and later on in college where I was introduced to advanced techniques to learn the art. I took a number of computer and art related classes in high school which guided me to what I truly wanted to pursue.

Learning new skills in my early Lifetime:

I learned in the next couple of years what I really wanted to do in my future career: Digital Imaging through graphic design courses offered at Tiger Mountain Community High School. Digital Imaging and Video Foundations were classes just outside of my high school campus. It was a small school but had vast resources in computer technology. The Programs I learned in these classes were "Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Final Cut Pro.I Soon grew up like many with many interests, passions and dreams I had to fulfill. In throughout my career as a student from elementary school to high school I wanted to be a singer, an artist, and a hiker which came later as I ventured out into the outdoors with my old man in boy scouts and venture.

I always had an interest in art the youngest I can remember at least. Computers came later but soon was the platform in which I did my future art and designs. In my senior year I was finishing my classes and readying myself for graduation. I really learned computers at young age watching my mom create flyers and brochures for homes she was selling as a broker. I remember when we were using Aldus page maker instead of Adobe InDesign. I did my senior project community service tutoring students in digital imaging. I helped students learn the computer hardware and software that was needed for the class. It was fun and rewarding! I still had time to do a paid internship creating a website for the Issaquah High school career center. This was over 100 hours and was by far one of my more challenging projects.

A new adventure, challenge, and quality experience:

I also had other hobbies like running cross country and track and taking part in Boy Scouts and hiking. It was the highlight of my young adolescent life and became a rewarding and promising future for me. In the duration of all that was going on in my life my senior year was hard with all the challenges and obstacles in my way of accomplishing all that I had set forth. I had to make some tough choices and prioritize what really, I wanted to pursue. I chose to back out of boy scouts at a Life ranking and leave track my senior year and not achieve my varsity letter I so fought hard to achieve. I soon graduated with my high school degree and all the experiences in my life made me realize that this was just the beginning. And so, it went! I graduated and obtained my High School diploma and went on to Bellevue community college where I focused my efforts to accomplish my general education requirements and graduated in 2004 with a AAS (Associate of Arts and Sciences).

Records are the true reward:

I started to jog and run at the late part of middle school. I was then introduced to my sport in cross country and track in high school my freshman until senior year at IHS. I spent much time in the hills up Tiger mountain running with my comrades and close friends. I even got the chance to run in the meets and I can very well say I ran a 5:30 mile, don't think I could do that now though ;). The one thing I regret the most was backing out of track my Senior Year. I had a lot on my plate that year, but man, I wish I could have earned my Varsity Letter in Track.

It was the best years of my life. I learned, loved, and became exceptional at everything I could. My passions were running, art, design and learning about computers. I was an average student but excelled in art and technology. I did Boy Scouts and Venture outings on the weekend while still in session at school. I belonged to Boy Scout Troop 609 until the end of my Senior year at IHS. I spent years hiking and getting merit badges with my dad, friends, and other young comrades my age. I hiked Mt. ST. Hellens, MT. Baker, and hiked up to camp Muir on Mt. Rainier. I worked very hard to keep everything in my school career as "consistent" as possible. I was so close to finish up my requirements to complete the highest rank in Boy Scouts for my Eagle. I always wanted to be a good student but for me it did not come "easy." I decided to focus on school and my future ambitions rather than complete Eagle and I ended my scout adventures with my Life ranking.

In my Senior Year I was ready to graduate, start new things, and get on with my life in the passions and dreams I had to fulfill. I landed my first real job in retail at Michaels Arts and Craft. I worked there for around two years while still in school full-time. I learned about selling and putting together picture frames for customers. In the next 10 years a lot of change took place in my life. I took a few jobs here and there post high school but soon realized I needed something stable on the side while going to college full-time.

A new possible future? College awaits and what will it bring:

I soon settled into my new positions I worked where I first got a glimpse of what customer service really means to others and myself. I learned helping people navigate the stores layout and answering questions related to the stores product. I also learned skills that would eventually get my job at Lowe's and finish my degree at Bellevue Community College. I was soon accepted into my University of choice at WWU (Western Washington University) in Bellingham, WA. I learned a lot at Western studying art and design but soon realized this program wasn't for me.

I tried diligently to find another program that would be similar and facilitate my needs. I chose Marketing in the business department. I soon left Western after realizing I would need to find my path elsewhere. I returned to Issaquah where I picked up where I left off at Michaels Art's and Craft and soon my future and current occupation at Lowe's Home Improvement. I started my first jobs at Lowe's as a Garden Loader. In the next year or so I would settle into my new position as a full-time Cashier. I learned how to work hard and become a better person for it. I never realized I would have stayed at Lowe's this long as it was only supposed to be a "stepping stone" into my next real gig or job.

A new path awaits in the coming future:

After years post completing my associates degree at Bellevue Community College I soon returned to school in search of a new path. I considered many alternatives to my calling in computer graphics and chose to study computer hardware in preparation for getting the "A+" Certification. I gained a quite deal of knowledge and experience working inside the PC; however, I soon realized this still wasn't my real "goal" or calling I wanted to pursue in a career setting. I searched many different routes into studying design but soon decided to do it on my own. I studied design books, created examples of my work, and finally presented my most recent portfolio on this very site.

I did my most recent works during the past few years working at Lowe's where I developed the first store map. I utilized Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft word to input the necessary information and data I put together in an organized and creative manner. In the midst of all this I started to get my "feet wet" in more Adobe Illustrator projects. I have completed over six maps now and have gotten great feedback from all my work completed and posted throughout the store. As seen on my "projects portfolio gallery" above I have some good results. I am currently looking for employment elsewhere for any that admire or am interested in my works. I am smart, detail-oriented and passionate about all the work I do. My Qualifications and Resume are in the above link above if interested, please feel free to Contact Me.

More about my life, history and achievements.

I've always had to have some interests in what I was doing. I always needed some sort of project or assignment that would keep me going. My talents and skills started here at Issaquah High School. I learned how to learn, draw and create amazing graphics. I was first introduced to computers my freshman year where I took a intro to keyboarding and typing class. Mr. Wood was my professor and was the one who challenged me to become great at using the computer. We utilized older style typesetting books to learn typing on a computer. And from there, I became fascinated and intrigued by the computer in general. In the next couple years, I took art and computer related classes. Commercial Art, Drawing, TIP, and finally my favorite classes "Digital Imaging" and "Video Foundations" offered at a neighboring school nearby. I spent a lot of time drawing and working on computers my Senior Year.

A Look at the future to come:

In the next few years, I went to school full-time at Bellevue community college and worked in retail part-time. My first real job was at Barnes and noble booksellers. I was a café barista. I soon left BN and went to Michaels Arts and Crafts where I learned how to sell and make picture frames. I worked there for two years and soon left for Western Washington University. I learned a lot from attending Western Washington University even though I did not complete the focus major I intended on. The next ten plus years I worked in retail and soon settled in at my new job at Lowe’s Home Improvement. I learned a lot from school and working for a company that thrived on workers doing "their Job." It was a difficult job. I at first started as a loader and soon went to a Cashier position in garden and more recently a lumber cashier position opened, and I jumped on it.

The Real World awaits:

One thing I got out of working at Lowe's was my "store map" I created and the skills I obtained by working on a POS computer system. Soon after all the hype of the store map I created, I was promoted to the Building Materials and lumber CSA floor job in early February of 2018! I did my final map of the department even before my new position started-which helped me learn the department even better! I soon returned to Cashiering after a short four months. I learned the lumber department better as an associate and soon became a more valuable cashier back there.

In the past months to come I took a break from Lowe's and cashiering and practicing another profession unrelated to design and art. Even though this was a mistake I gained perspective and reawakened my passion for design as I returned to Lowe's as a Cashier. I took several courses post BCC and high school but soon realized my true calling was something I would have to do on my own, not a school setting. Now I am doing just that, creating work and getting experience along the way for anyone I can find. I've done work for my friends, I created works for my job, and also my own art that keeps me going!

New opportunities and challenges:

Even now I am optimistic of doing more in my career and still want to pursue doing what I have "talent" and "skill" at in design and beyond. In the future I intend to keep improving my skills in the field of design and art. The one goal I have had since high school was become certified as an Adobe Expert and get employed as a designer. I'm 42 years old; I work hard and am passionate about the art and design that I produce and enjoy helping others reach the ultimate potential in their work or projects.

I feel all of this history only gives justice to the good things that happened in life. I did have some hard times and lessons to be learned. My parents helped and sheltered me as best as they could but I still hard to handle it my life and grow up. Years to come events enfolded and my life got more chaotic and stressful entering into school and the working life and soon the "real" world. Friends moved away, things got tougher, but I did keep moving forward and trekking.

Who can tell me you lived the American Dream? What we fight and fought for now:

I wanted all of you to know part of my life and understand that I am a good person at heart and that I try to be kind and encouraging. I just want to say one thing; furthermore, that I truly lived the American Dream in my young adult until now. I know any who used a different route to their future lives by doing what is known as running start which entitled young boys and girls to graduate with their credits and get their diploma earl. I think they missed out on the high school; experience and comradery with friends that some might be lifelong companions. I did everything I could do in my young adolescent life and even more. I challenged myself both physically and mentally. This was the time where I learned how to love life. Not forget it but embrace the things we learned and grow in the future as "keep moving forward."

Keep Moving Foward:

In the past year I relocated to Nampa Idaho and started my journey once again in searching for a job I was most suited for. It has been a rough and challenging transition moving state to state but there were good things as I got rehired at Lowes #1785. At first, I struggled because I had to relearn a whole new store in the midst of not knowing where everything was and the recourses, I needed to successfully accomplish the goals I set out. It took me over 8 months to get back where I was, and I still had troubles relating to the job and pears that I worked with. I wondered why I wasn't getting any awards or anything for my hard work. I soon realized I wasn't doing my job at a 100%. I doubled my efforts on hope of achieving "Cashier of the month" which was at the time a big honor. I spent hours, days, and weeks working twice as fast helping customers orders towards that goal.

I asked all the right questions a Cashier would ask, and I pushed services and the survey to every customer. I became quite good at it and followed through with my efforts. In only a few short months I obtained the honor of "Cashier of the Month" and soon after got it for a second time. I was so ecstatic at hearing and seeing my picture on the wall of Cashier Recognition that I started yelling out loud and saying "I'm cashier of the month, YAH booyah! This pushed me even further to be the best cashier there. I will continue my efforts and keep improving. My manager Victor even great fully was impressed and gave me the opportunity to become head cashier. He told me that he was going to "push me" bit by bit never let down until I was the ready to take it out on my own. So, there is what I stand now as of catching up. All my artwork has improved, and I am still in the works of creating new ones. In the next few year challenges arise that drew me away from Lowe's and now i am pursuing a new occupation. I intend in pursuing my dream myself and use this very website as an example and show case of what I am capable and passionate about.

Check my portfolio link above to see my results.

I am passionate about becoming certified as Adobe Certified Professional that will prove my ability to help others in need of my service. Secondly, I will offer help in customers in need and finally get an internship that will be my portfolio to more of a use.

In the meantime, I will work on the basics and learning all I can to enhance my skills and abilities. I am still at Lowe's of Nampa and looking to move forward with my life and find my own place to live and grow. I have recently revamped my website and am looking for new opportunities to get the word out and provide my services to anyone willing to utilize my skills and abilities.

My future awaits:

In the future post leaving Lowes for personal reasons, I was stuck in a bad situation: Howe am I going to support myself and moreover what will I do with rest of my life. I will just have to take day by day and ty the challenges, tribulations, and experiences I am learning right now. I am starting, drawing gain, learning the software, and finally trying to reconnect with my friends and close family and just enjoy every moment it!

Check my portfolio link above to see my results.

What waits for me now in the future?

Check out my cover letter and resume above in my "Qualifications" link. Feel free to contact me if you would like to know more:

kevinsundquist83@gmail.com

Best Regards,

Kevin Sundquist

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