The Story of Trysen Kaneshige: Kauaʻi-Born Muralist, Storyteller & Healing Artist
INTRODUCTION
Trysen Kaneshige is a Kauaʻi-born muralist whose work blends cultural storytelling, realism, and healing-centered creativity. At just 30 years old, he has completed large-scale works across Hawaiʻi, developed a signature cinematic spray-paint technique, and become one of the most rapidly advancing muralists of his generation.
His journey is one of perseverance, cultural connection, and relentless dedication to mastery.
A BEGINNING ROOTED IN COURAGE (AGE 17)
Trysen painted his first large-scale mural at 17 — a two-story piece at Kauaʻi High School titled “Believe in Your Dreams.”
To complete it, he learned:
-Project management
-Sponsorship writing
-Press coordination
-Technical mural planning
-Professional spray paint handling
-Lift operation
This project earned front-page newspaper coverage and set the tone for his future — big walls, big purpose, big impact.
TRAINED BY MASTERS, SHAPED BY COMMUNITY
Trysen’s artistic lineage includes personal mentorship from some of Hawaiʻi’s most respected artists:
East3 — legendary style writer, global educator
Rasone — master of realism and aerosol technique
Caleb Aero — advanced production painter known for large-scale character work
He absorbed their techniques, discipline, and approach to community-centered art — shaping him into a hybrid artist grounded in both skill and service.
THE TURNING POINT: A BRIDGE, A MURAL, A NEW STANDARD
Discovering one of Caleb’s hidden murals under a bridge became a defining moment.
The soft blends, razor-sharp lighting, and fully rendered realism showed Trysen what was possible with a spray can. That day became the seed of the cinematic, emotion-driven realism he creates today.
HEALING, PURPOSE & A NEW PATH
A major concussion ended Trysen’s soccer career in high school — shifting his life toward art, healing, and creative service.
Art became:
a recovery tool
a source of identity
a way to give back
a method of storytelling
a mission
This “healing-first” foundation is now the core philosophy behind Inspire To Create Media.
TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING: SKILL, SPEED & STORY
Over the next decade, Trysen built an extraordinary toolkit:
Freehand realism
Cinematic lighting
Character anatomy
Spray paint economy
Color layering
Large-scale outdoor production
Youth mentorship
Brand identity design
Island storytelling
These skills formed a foundation far beyond typical local muralists — blending agency-level design with international mural standards.
THE BREAKTHROUGH: THE 75-FOOT KAUAʻI VETERANS MUSEUM MURAL
At age 30, Trysen began one of the most ambitious murals on Kauaʻi:
A 75-foot panoramic war-history timeline, entirely spray-painted, blending Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan into one cinematic mural.
Key achievements:
Painted almost entirely with ~20 cans
One hour per figure
High-sensitive can control (Grey Dot)
Complex lighting transitions
Full-scale realism
Seamless panel blending
Museum-level storytelling
Precision and speed rarely seen in Hawaiʻi
This mural marks the moment Trysen transitions from “local artist” to institution-level muralist — the level sought by museums, hotels, resorts, and cultural institutions.
THE ARTIST HE IS TODAY
At 30, Trysen has become:
A multidisciplinary creative
A cultural storyteller
A master of aerosol realism
A fast, precise production painter
A community builder
A healing-centered creator
A bridge between generations
His work represents a rare combination of technical mastery, cultural responsibility, and personal resilience.
THE FUTURE AHEAD
Trysen’s vision is expanding into:
Museum murals
Hotel & resort installations
Corporate identity walls
Airline partnerships
Public institutions
Cultural preservation art
Story-driven immersive exhibits
Youth healing programs
With a 12-year foundation behind him and a new level of visibility in front of him, he is positioned as one of Hawaiʻi’s leading emerging muralists — and a once-in-a-generation talent raised on Kauaʻi.