My Name is Russell Merritt, I am a traditional Japanese Sumi-e artist, Cartoonist and art teacher. I love art, books and comics. I collect comics, Dr. Doom collectibles and all things Vampire.

I am the founder and illustrator of Banshuwa Studio and have one indy book in print right now called SEAL Team.
I am currently working with writer/creator Dave Arhar and Penny Dreadful Press.

I am a cartoonist and art Teacher. I am an instructor for Central Ohio Technical College. I also travel to libraries all over and teach manga and cartooning workshops. I have done residencies and art camps, day camps and weekend art classes.

I have been in Newark, Emerson R. Miller, Buckeye Lake, Utica, Coshocton, Massilon, Stow, Cleveland, Clyde, Bellevue, West Jefferson, Loudonville and Zanesville libraries and am scheduling for future dates now.
I have also taught in Newark, New Albany, Zanesville, Coshocton and Columbus Art Camps, Cub Scout Meetings, Girl Scout groups and the Columbus Neighborhood Pride City art group for inner city kids. I am a teacher at the Works Museum in Newark, Ohio, where I teach watercolor, sumi-e, kanji, cartooning, comic book art, manga and caricature. I also teach adult art classes at the Zanesville Art Center and at C-Tech.