Jarrod Russell

I was born in 1971 in the mid Mon Valley, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The mid eighties skateboarding and underground music (punk and metal) scene were a large influence on my life. I graduated with an Associates Degree in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1992. I began work as tattoo artist in 1993, and continue that profession as one of the owner/operators of Black Star Tattoo, located in Belle Vernon, PA. I became focused on painting/fine arts in 2002, some of my influences include Joe Sorren, Mark Ryden and Michael Hussar. My works are primarliy pop surrealism, based on experiences and observations related to my life. My favorite mediums are acrylics and gouches, however I also create various types of three dimensional works (retablos, paper mache skulls and masks). My artwork has been featured in various galleries around Pittsburgh, one of which includes The Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History. I currently reside in the Lawrenceville community of Pittsburgh, PA with my girlfriend and son, where I spend my time painting and playing in the band Morguemart.