Today we’d like to introduce you to Apollo Stuckey.
Hi Apollo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Memphis and raised in Columbus, GA. I started painting back in grade school. My grandma used to take me to this spot called the Chicken Coop—yeah, it sounds strange, but that’s where I first learned how to paint with oils. That’s where my love for art really started to grow.
As I got older, art became my refuge. I used it to soothe my internal pain—it was my voice when I didn’t have the words. But even though it meant so much to me, I kept it hidden. When it came time for college, I actually got accepted into an art school. My heart was all in—but where I’m from, especially back then, art wasn’t seen as a real future. And Black art? It definitely wasn’t a thing people took seriously. So, out of love, my dad and grandma talked me out of majoring in art. They didn’t want to see me struggle.
So I went to college, majored in business, and later commissioned as an officer in the Army. After leaving Fort Lee in Virginia, I moved back to Atlanta—and that’s when everything shifted. I made up my mind: I was going to become the artist I always knew I was called to be.
At my big grown age, I humbled myself and interned at Artlanta when it was still just a building downtown. That experience was everything. I got to connect with other interns, meet creatives from all walks of life—and the energy was unmatched. I even ended up doing a painting for DJ Drama through one of his interns. I started booking live paintings, even live body paintings. That whole season in Atlanta shaped me as an artist.
Of course, there was pushback. I wasn’t from Atlanta, and I was stepping into a space already overflowing with talent. I was untrained, still trying to find my style, and didn’t have as many years under my belt. But I kept going.
Eventually, I got out of the military and then lost my job. That was a low point. I spiraled into a deep depression, I was drinking everyday, smoking to numb the pain, and my art got really dark. I became exactly what my parents feared—a struggling artist. At 25, I had to move back in with my mom and start piecing my life back together.
Then life shifted again—I got married, got pregnant, and started teaching to provide some stability for my family. During that time, I doubled down on my craft. I refined my style, built up my collection, and really figured out who I was as an artist.
Now, I’m confident in my work, and even more confident in my why. My art has a foundation—it’s not just talent, it’s testimony.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve faced several challenges and obstacles on my journey—three big ones that really stand out to me now.
The first was having a late start. My passion didn’t match my talent in the beginning—and if I’m being honest, sometimes I still feel like it doesn’t. I will say, it does keep me humble, always learning, and for that, I’m grateful. But it also brings moments of insecurity, especially when I’m surrounded by other works that I find phenomenal in skill and execution. I can’t help but wonder where I’d be if I had followed my gut from the beginning and pursued art full-time. Having a late start means I’ve had to work twice as hard to build a name for myself, especially now, at an older age, when most people have had years to develop their craft and style, I only recently discovered mine.
The second challenge was internal: spiritual and mental battles that I had to fight and heal from. I had unaddressed trauma that bled into my work. In the beginning, I was using art as a crutch. Looking back, a lot of what I created was just emotional dumping on a canvas, very raw. I wasn’t managing my business or relationships the right way. At one point, I even developed a self-righteous attitude, especially in my hometown—I thought I was “doing something” just because I was creating art in Atlanta. But God definitely humbled me…and then He healed me. That attitude created challenges that were self-inflicted wounds. I had to grow through that.
The third major challenge has been learning to balance motherhood, marriage, and being an artist. In the beginning, I didn’t have the support system I wished I had. And now, as a mom and wife, my art often has to take a back seat. I’ve had to fully trust in God’s timing. While my kids are little, I’m not producing as much work, attending as many art shows, doing interviews, or taking on as many jobs. Instead, I use this time to sharpen my skills, and that’s a blessing too. But honestly, I do struggle with feeling like I should be doing more. It’s a constant balancing act.
Even as I type this, my oldest is asking me to get off the computer and come play—and that’s my reality today. My new challenge is time management, and learning to be fully present where I’m needed most. I’ve come to realize there will always be new challenges at every level, so I just keep asking God for guidance and do my best to handle each one as it comes.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a creative, my work is a direct reflection of who I am—bright, fun, and full of life. You will probably always find bold colors and vibrant illustrations, with crisp lines and expressive gestures that pop in my artwork. I also pull alot from 90s nostalgia because it takes me back to my childhood, a time that felt simple, and carefree.
What sets me apart is the same thing that sets everyone apart from anyone else: there’s no one else like me. My journey and story are unique—not because I’m trying to stand out, but because my path is mine alone. I believe I’m meant to be in the spaces I occupy, doing the work I’m doing, because it’s part of a larger purpose, Gods will. And like a grain of sand on a beach although small I help fulfill the bigger picture.
I’m probably most known for two things: my murals and my faceless paintings. The faceless work started because, honestly, I wasn’t great at painting or drawing faces. At the time, it came from a lack of skill—I just avoided what I couldn’t do well. That’s the first time I’m admitting that, because I used to make up something deeper and more poetic. But the truth is, I just wasn’t there yet. Now, I can paint faces, but I choose not to. There’s something about the facelessness that adds an emotional layer I can’t fully explain—but I love it.I think I have built my art style around it.
What I’m most proud of are the murals. As a kid, I dreamed of creating big art. When I was in college, I’d tell people I wanted to paint on a large scale—but it didn’t sound believable, especially since most people didn’t even know I could paint at all. So every mural I complete now is a full-circle moment, a childhood dream made real.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
don’t believe in luck. I don’t want to over-religiousize this interview, but I genuinely believe that God is in control. Everything that’s happened to me—good or bad—has been an essential part of my journey. Honestly, I’d even say that the misfortunes were more vital than the wins, because they taught me the biggest lessons.
I’m not going to pretend I enjoyed those hard times—who really enjoys misfortune? I certainly didn’t. But that’s where the deepest growth happened, in the middle of pain and struggle. I’ve come to see those moments as necessary stepping stones to greatness.
Of course, I’ve had my wins too. Being featured in a local New York art magazine and attending an art showcase in the Bronx was a big. Connecting with trapxArt when it was fairly new and being part of one of their early shows in Atlanta was another win. I even had the opportunity to showcase my art on the news in my hometown.
But still, it was the setbacks that built my character, tested my resilience, and humbled me when I needed it most. And because of that, I appreciate every win—no matter how small—so much more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://apollostuckey.wixsite.com/apollo-stuckey
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_apollostuckey_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apollo.abrams.77/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ApolloStuckeyArt
