He studied animation and graphic design at California State University (Northridge), and received a bachelor's degree in art. Ponce obtained a bachelor's degree in 2D art with a focus in 3D animation. Ponce was influenced by his father, Hector Ponce, a sign painter and muralist whose work appears on many storefronts in Pacoima. Ponce grew up being involved in murals as his father would paint murals, Ponce was inspired to become a muralist thanks to the reaction that his father would receive when his father was done with a mural. Ponce said "the support and respect and the praise and the recognition that locals would give him when he painted in their community was something that I didn’t see anywhere else."
