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:
Oshkosh Tattoo & Good Girl Piercing
149 High Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Call 920-230-6611 to make an appointment
oshkoshtattoo.com

EXHIBITS:
Dirty Show 11
Bert's Warehouse Theater, Detroit, MI
Feb 2010

Remedy White Art Exhibit (prints)
Gallery 301, De Pere, WI
Jan 2009

Dirty Show 9
Bert's Warehouse Theater, Detroit, MI
Feb 2008

Knockout! (solo show)
Wild Apple Gallery, Menasha, WI
Jan-Feb 2008

Ooh La La! Burlesque Inspired Art
View to the Top, Nottingham, England
March 2007

Dirty Show 8
Bert's Warehouse Theater, Detroit, MI
Feb 2007

Boneless: By Sk8rs 4 Sk8rs
Firecracker Studios, Madison, WI
Dec 2005

PUBLICATIONS:
Bachelor Pad Magazine
Issues 1-present
Cartoons (1p, b/w)

Live Nude Art! Pinup sketches by TJ Rappel
Krushervision Books
Sketchbook, 6"x9", 64p, b/w-cc, perfect-bound
May 2009

Contact me to inquire about commissions.
See the SHOP link to purchase merchandise!