Louie (aka KR.ONE) Gasparro is a
self taught natural artist.
His inspirations and earliest influences
range from Saturday morning
cartoons, 1960’s and 70’s underground
comics, rock album cover
and poster art, and of course the rolling
art of NYC Subway Graffiti.
Specific influences include: Roger Dean, Rodney Matthews, Vaughn
Bode,
Bernie Wrightson, Alex Nino, Josh Kirby, Syd Mead, Frank
Frazzetta,
Dan Merriam, DON 1, TRACY 168, ROTO, SON1, PRO1, and
KEL139.
Born in Manhattan, raised in Astoria Queens, Louie totally absorbed
the early to mid 70’s graffiti metamorphosis and in 1977 took
the name KROME later changing it to KR.ONE.
New York City’s MTA subway RR, M, L, J, A, B, 2 and 5 lines
became
the surface choice of this emerging artist’s creative
expression. In
1982, Louie put his late night subway excursions
on pause to begin
his musical career playing drums and guitars.
He has written music
and drummed for such legendary NYC bands,
MURPHY’s LAW, LORDZ OF
BROOKLYN, BLITZSPEER,
SUPERVILLAIN; all the while creating original
artwork
for other up-and-coming musical acts.
Thirty years and many miles later his creative fire still burns
bright as Louie continues his graphic, illustrative and graffiti
art
paintings with his own design company KOLORSTORM
GRAFFICS, creating
fine art, cd/dvd packaging, mural art,
logo design and clothing.
Louie has taken part in several successful solo and group
showings, along with having his artwork showcased in
several books and magazines.