Story & Lesson Highlights with Ashley Pinnick of Sunnyslope

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ashley Pinnick. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Ashley, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’ve been called to slow down. In my twenties, I threw myself into work with a lot of energy and drive. I wanted to learn everything I could and make the most of every opportunity. But over time, I realized that constant motion doesn’t always serve creativity. To make meaningful art, I need time to think, to notice, and to really take in the world around me. As I’ve given myself that space, both my work and my life have become richer and more grounded. My creative process feels more sustainable now, and I’ve come to see rest and reflection as essential parts of making art, not interruptions to it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an Artist & Art Director. I’ve been making video games for the past 11 years. I also have a background in traditional art and illustration. I started my own studio, TV Dinner Studios, to pursue independent projects. Since then I’ve partnered with a wide range of clients from small indie teams to large AAA studios, helping ship 5 games in the past 4 years. My work as a game developer is the core of my artistic focus, but my studio also allows me space for pursuits in leathercraft, illustration and photography. In that way, my work spans both extremes — from games made with emerging tech to unique, handmade art objects.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
There was a younger version of me who hadn’t yet learned her limits. I felt pressure to appease people and fit in, and I’d been taught in art school to take every opportunity that came my way. That combination led me to say yes too often, sometimes at the cost of my own well-being. Eventually, I had to step back and realize I didn’t need to please everyone or take on every project. Running my own company taught me the value of being selective, that saying no can be just as important as saying yes. Taking my creative health seriously has given me the space to focus on work that feels meaningful and energizing, and I’m doing some of my best work because of it.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Certainly. I’ve considered giving up many times! It’s a natural part of the creative process. In 2021, I began focusing more on personal work to strengthen my creative voice. For a while, I struggled to finish anything, often abandoning pieces when they reached their most awkward or “ugly” stage. Over time, I realized that growing as an artist means learning to sit with ambiguity and understanding that repetition is essential. By committing to finish things, even when I thought they might fail, I discovered that every attempt was teaching me something. Practice builds intuition, confidence, and resilience. I’ve learned that the moment you want to give up often marks the point right before a breakthrough.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Education is one of the core challenges shaping our society today, especially when it comes to learning how to learn. We don’t focus enough on helping people experience the value of teaching themselves something new. When you nurture curiosity and stay open to being wrong (or even bad at something long enough to improve) you build resilience and self-understanding. If more people had that experience, we’d have a culture that’s more creative, adaptable, and empathetic.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Broadening my horizons. I’ve loved making games and exploring emerging technology. That work has been challenging, life changing, and deeply rewarding. But I’ve also rediscovered the joy of making things with my hands. That’s what led me back to analog pursuits like leatherwork, illustration, and photography. These practices feel meditative and personal, yet still connect to my work in games where I create characters and virtual worlds. Looking ahead, a long-term goal of mine is to create public art in the city, whether it’s a mural, an installation, or something that brings my creative practice into the community in a tangible way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleypinnick.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleypinnick/
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/tvdinnerdev.bsky.social

Image Credits
Captions (if you need them)

1. Cosmonious High
Environment design for Cosmonious High, a vibrant, character-driven VR adventure.

2. Color Space
Environment from Color Space, a virtual coloring book experience inspired by the architecture of Paolo Soleri.

3. Sunlite Bowling Center
Digital illustration exploring the quiet vernacular architecture of the American Southwest.

4. Leather Bag
Hand-tooled leather bag inspired by vernacular petroglyphs on Phoenix freeways.

5. Neon Canopy Photo
Photograph of midcentury architecture in Phoenix, one of my favorite subjects.

6. Starship Home
Augmented-reality capture from Starship Home, where players turn their living rooms into a spaceship.