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As a child in the '80s, I was heavily influenced by comic book artists like Jack Kirby and John Buscema
(and, as I got older, Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz),
as well as animators like Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and John Kricfalusi. In first and second grade I used to
get in trouble in class for drawing pictures of Superman and Frankenstein and KISS instead of paying attention. This was my beginning.
After spending a couple years in the University system as an art major and jumping through their hoops for a generalized Associate's Degree, I attended a technical college and got another AD in Printing and Publishing. I then spent six years as a graphic designer for a local alternative newspaper. During this time, I also spent weekends doing photography and graphic and web design for a local professional wrestling promotion. Frustrated with a total lack of creative and artistic stimulation in my job, I was offered an opportunity to learn to tattoo, and I made a career change. I spent four years figuring things out at a tattoo shop in Menasha. Tattooing was a whole new skill set, with a lot of fascinating history, that I really enjoyed learning and doing. Picking up art where I left off in college (tattooing totally got me fired up about drawing again after six years of mouse-clicking), I continued to find my style. Somewhere in there, I struck upon a combination of two of my favorite things -- cartoons and pin-up girl art -- and started exploring that. In December 2005, I took part in a group art exhibit in Madison, and the positive reaction to my work convinced me that I could still enjoy being an artist. Over the years I continued to do my own thing and made my way into more exhibits. I launched Krushervision.com, started designing t-shirts and merchandise with my art on them, and began making connections with artists around the world. In August of 2007, I nervously made the jump to a fantastic new tattoo shop in Oshkosh, where I felt I could continue to learn and grow and do good work in a busy, positive environment. Right around that same time, I was preparing new paintings for my first solo exhibit, which happened in January of 2008. In January 2009, I officially formed Krushervision Art Industries, LLC. The Krushervision empire continues to evolve, incorporating tattoos, fine art, cartoons, t-shirts, prints, and merch. I'm always looking for more opportunities: publishing, exhibits, commissions, guest tattoo spots. And someday, I will get a cartoon published in Playboy.
TATTOOING AT:
EXHIBITS:
Remedy White Art Exhibit (prints)
Dirty Show 9
Knockout! (solo show)
Ooh La La! Burlesque Inspired Art
Dirty Show 8
Boneless: By Sk8rs 4 Sk8rs
PUBLICATIONS:
Live Nude Art! Pinup sketches by TJ Rappel
Contact me to inquire about commissions.
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