A graffiti artist who was once jailed for spraying his street art initials on railway bridges has now sold paintings at one of the world’s biggest international shows.

Thomas ‘TJ’ Dolan, 22, was given a 15-month sentence after he was caught leaving graffiti around Manchester and Cheshire.

But he continued to paint after his release from prison and has since blossomed, working with  companies including Microsoft and Ikea and on commissions from across Europe.

But his latest artistic coup is his biggest to date – a request to exhibit at Miami’s Art Basel, the world’s biggest contemporary art show which attracts 50,000 visitors every year.

Three of his paintings were sold at the show’s Heroes in Distress event – for £1,000 each.

TJ, 26, originally from Macclesfield but now living in Cheadle, says much of his work is still inspired by the months he spent in prison for his graffiti, which was labelled with his tag ‘Krek’.

The artist, who has also worked with pop stars Jedward,  said: “I’m really pleased to have been to the show and it’s great to have sold pieces too.

“My work is as diverse as my personality. My images and words are always moving. I’ve gone from writing diary entries in Japanese on freight trains to traditional forms on canvas and water colours, which is what I submitted in Miami.

“I don’t regret the time spent in prison. It helps you understand how things in the world work and makes you understand yourself in a way that many won’t experience. You are taken away from all you know and stripped back to just yourself, your personality and character.

“It was a very insightful and inspiring place and I don’t regret or feel hard done by going there.”

TJ, whose brother Danny is also enjoying success in America with his band The Virgin Marys, added: “Everyone who paints trains knows if they get caught they will spend time in prison. But real art has to have true sacrifice to be pure.”

TJ will also exhibit his work at High Rollers, a London exhibition featuring leading figures in contemporary art.

TJ was sentenced in 2007 for causing £13,000 of damage to railway property with his friend Thomas Whittaker, who was jailed for 12 months.

The sentences triggered a huge campaign to free them and Appeal Court judges overturned the convictions before the pair were released in October, 2007.

In 2011, TJ was recruited, with  Thomas and fellow artist Joe Johnstone, to launch the new Manchester City kit.

The trio emblazoned their ‘tags’ across a brick wall in an Oldham Road car park as part of the Umbro advertising campaign.

TJ’s first solo exhibition is at Macclesfield’s Jack Sevens gallery on Friday, June 14, part of the town’s Barnaby Festival.

Go to the-dead-bird. blogspot. com to read his blog.