TAC Member Highlight: Arthur “AJ” Uphold

Sometimes, creating can be a chore. In the case of artist Arthur (AJ) Uphold, his mother made him. “In first grade I drew some horses. My teacher took the drawing home to my mother and told my mother I had natural talent. Mom made me sit down for an hour every day after school and draw. I hated it…” shares AJ. But the adage “mother knows best” held true, and he has fostered a life-long interest in art.

His formal art education includes an associate’s in art from Tulsa Junior College, followed by anatomy school in Denver, CO, where he developed his skills in painting the human figure while studying under Phil Steele, a former classmate of Norman Rockwell. He later earned his BFA from OSU in 1995.

A 28-year career in the US Army instilled in AJ a strong sense of motivation, and his love for art and creation fuels his drive. “I love the idea that when I die, I’ll die as a painter,” he says. That drive translates into his work which is full of intensity and movement.

Using a combination of geometric shapes, intense color, and realism, AJ creates new work in his own unique voice. “I first come up with an idea then I put it in the oven (my mind) then I let it cook,” he explains. This mental preparation is followed by a structured approach: a rough draft in soft charcoal, a refined version in hard charcoal, inking, and finally, the application of paint. Throughout, he remains open to change and experimentation, striving to make each piece better than the last.

AJ actively engages with the arts community as a member of TAC and The Sapulpa Artist Guild (SAG). He values the camaraderie and shared experience of painting weekly with fellow artists at the guild. AJ has exhibited at the TAC Gallery and participates in member shows with both TAC and the SAG. Annual trips to Europe with his wife provide a rich source of inspiration, connecting him with the art he studied and filling his sketchbooks with new ideas.

AJ’s creative spirit is always active. His RV serves as a “roaming art studio” during the summer months, allowing him to paint and draw wherever he goes. Hailing originally from Vermont and as an “army brat”, he finds inspiration in life itself.

AJ’s advice to aspiring artists? “WORK HARD AND BE YOURSELF.” He emphasizes the

importance of finding one’s own artistic voice rather than trying to emulate others.