About James “TJ” August Warsing Jr.

James August Warsing Jr., known throughout the Shenandoah Valley as TJ (Tattoo Jim), is a master tattoo artist, mural pioneer, sculptor, author, educator, and community visionary with over 50 years of artistic service. His studio, TJ’s Dermagraphics, located at 405 Hartman Dr, Harrisonburg, VA, is more than a tattoo shop — it is a DPOR‑registered tattoo school and a living museum of his lifetime of work.

In 2007, TJ painted what is recognized as the first mural in downtown Harrisonburg — a covered bridge illusion that sparked the city’s now‑thriving mural culture. His work inspired the explosion of public art that defines Harrisonburg today.

Later, he transformed the mural into a vibrant scene of dinosaurs and children reading, designed to inspire schoolchildren who passed by on buses each morning. His grandchildren even helped paint the lower sections, adding a personal touch to a piece that became a local landmark.

TJ began tattooing while serving in the military, learning the craft from another soldier after helping repair his roof. Even when tattooing was prohibited, the military eventually allowed him to continue — using their tools — because of his skill and dedication.

Since opening TJ’s Dermagraphics in 1989, he has tattooed more than 30,000 clients, all in his signature free‑hand style. He teaches apprentices using traditional methods, beginning with practicing on honeydew melons to learn depth and control.

TJ is the author of Stranger Than Fiction, a book chronicling his life, art, and philosophy. The book includes a documentary DVD featuring a soundtrack by Jason C. Kubin, produced by Innovative Studios and created by Monstar Studios.

Beyond tattooing, TJ works with marble, granite, wood, and glass. His creations include:

• A glass memorial to Steve Irwin
• A massive illuminated geode sculpture
• A scale model of a 14‑foot granite monolith representing global unity
• Glass etchings — one gifted to Pope John Paul II

TJ founded the JAWS Foundation, a nonprofit supporting local artists by displaying their work and helping them gain recognition. He has spoken at JMU, mentored countless aspiring artists, and contributed memorial artwork honoring events such as the Virginia Tech tragedy and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Even after a burst pipe caused severe damage to his studio and threatened his home, TJ continues to create, teach, and give back — selling decades of artwork to preserve his legacy and continue serving the community he loves.