Just Do It

Rhythm of the Arts


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Published: Oct 22, 2008

Opening reception Fri., Oct. 24, 6-11 p.m., runs through Nov. 19, Jinxed, 620 S. Fourth St., 215-978-5469, jinxedphiladelphia.com

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Seth Mushrush has accepted it — he will never be Eddie Van Halen.

Rather than brood about his unrealized rock star dreams, though, the tattoo artist has channeled his love for music into a medium he is more suited for. "Since I can't make it my career, I decided that I wanted to surround myself, literally, with the musicians who inspire me," says Mushrush. He painted a portrait of Jimi Hendrix (pictured), with his mouth blissfully open as he strums the guitar, and hung it on his wall. Then he finished a painting of Angus Young, followed by Muddy Waters, Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and, of course, Eddie Van Halen.

When his classic rock oeuvre was complete, Mushrush sought to share it with others. He asked his fellow tattoo artists to submit pieces to "Rhythm of the Arts," a music-themed exhibit opening at Jinxed this Friday. Apparently, Mushrush isn't an anomaly in the industry: 19 other tattoo artists will display their works at the show. In some paintings, such as Erica Barfield's carefully executed black-and-white portrait of Billie Holiday, the artist's day job is unclear. In others, like Jason Goldberg's painting of a bloody woman or Jay Cooper's watercolor of a guitar-shredding skeleton, it's a tad more obvious.