The job: Paul Kiesche is president and creative director of Paul Kiesche Design, Illustration and Fine Art in the Flanders section of Roxbury. His company's combination of all three disciplines is "very rare,"he said. "It's the variation in projects and the constant challenge that I love. I find it boring to do just one."

The company: Graphic design is the company's primary focus. Paul Kiesche Design shatters template-driven marketing by customizing work, he said. "We revel in challenging projects that give us the opportunity to push the envelope of design."

Born: March 23, 1977. Grew up in the Lower Berkshire Valley part of Roxbury - still his favorite place. "There's something magical about it."

Also enjoys: Vermont in the winter, North Carolina in the summer, Paris in the spring and New Hampshire in the fall. Lived in Philadelphia , Manhattan , Brooklyn and now in the Flanders section of Mount Olive "where it all started."

Education: Associate's degree in graphic design from County College of Morris (1997); bachelor's degree in illustration from University of the Arts in Philadelphia (2000).

Artistic bent: As a child, Kiesche drew a lot and "was always creating something." He comes from an artistic, creative family, he said. He won several high-level art awards during high school and a Promising Artist Scholarship Award in college.

Career path: At age 19, Kiesche interned as a graphic designer at Multi-Media Design. He worked at The Hal Lewis Group and became art director at North American Publishing Co. in Philadelphia -- all before graduating from college. Was senior designer at Athion Communications and art director at JDC Design in New York City as well as creative lead at Murray in Blairstown. Started Paul Kiesche Design in 1996. "Owning a creative company was one of my longtime goals," he said. Teaches illustration as an adjunct instructor at County College of Morris.

Biggest challenge: "Art comes easy, but things like accounting don't come as naturally."

Honors: Two American Graphic Design Awards - Graphic Design USA ; one gold, two silver and two bronze awards - Horizon Interactive Awards; Award of Excellence - NJ/IABC IRIS Awards; American Design Awards winner; named one of Top 10 Sites by How Magazine.

Giving back: After volunteering to teach art to homeless children in Manhattan 's Art Start program, he started giving seminars and lectures to "students of all ages." One of his lectures led to his position as CCM's adjunct instructor. "Teaching is one of the best decisions I ever made; it's one of the more rewarding things in my life."

Family: Kiesche is the youngest of five siblings. Parents Ruth and Ron are "very supportive of any decision I make,"he said. His fraternal twin brother, Brian, is a sales representative in Manhattan. His brother, Tom, is an actor in Los Angeles. His sisters, Daryl and Barbara, teach in New Jersey.

Spare time: Believes in balancing life with work, a social life, exercise, education and fun. Outdoor activities include hiking, camping, running, rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding. "I also love anything to do with culture, traveling, galleries and museums."

Art scene: He's visited more galleries lately, but favorite museums are the Brandywine Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Dahesh Museum of Art, Frick Collection, Rijks Museum and Musée du Louvre.

Favorite artists: "To name a few... Andrew Wyeth, N.C. Wyeth, Donato Gianacola, E.B. Lewis, Alphonse Mucha, Maxfield Parrish, Johannes Vermeer, Frank Lloyd Wright, Jean-Leon Gerome and John Everett Millais."

Favorite medium: Oil painting on canvas in a realistic style.

On the iPod: Koop, Thievery Corporation, Underworld, Tool, The Postal Service, Silversun Pickups, Blackalicious, Beck, Jem, Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, Nick Drake, Queens of the Stone Age and Ben Harper.

Always wanted to try: Traveling around the world painting scenic landscapes and communities.

Advice to others: "If you're passionate about art, pursue it with hard work and dedication. Don't bother if you want an easy living. "Surround yourself with the best, and you will rise to become the best. Make every piece count, even if it's a free job. "Be a business, not just an artist. And lastly, have fun and do projects that you want to do." Dossier was reported by Christine Wang, a freelance writer.