HEllO

AJ Sharpe’s artistic journey began at Pacific High School, where he immersed himself in both visual and performing arts. During this time, he earned multiple awards in art competitions and became the 2016 State Champion in Prose Reading. Theatre also played a formative role, with memorable performances in Legally Blonde, Shrek, James and the Giant Peach, and portraying Charles Guiteau in Assassins.

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Following high school, AJ studied at East Central College, earning an Associate of Fine Arts while consistently placing on the honor roll and president’s list. He then advanced to the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), where he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts, maintained high academic distinction, and was selected for a Kansas City Royals–Sponsored Studio Internship, highlighting his artistic dedication and talent. During his time at KCAI, he co-created the children’s book Planet Zoocey Woocey with a local author and alum and completed his senior thesis film, “Gears N Lightning,” which was later selected for the 2024 Uplift Film Festival.

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On May 16, 2025, Alan’s digital artwork Brainflower was featured in the mental health–focused exhibition stART the Conversation, accompanied by his written statement reflecting on creativity, struggle, and personal growth. The following month, in June 2025, he was interviewed by VoyageKC Magazine, sharing his evolving artistic journey and the perseverance required to carve a meaningful path in the arts. Later that year, he contributed to the Jake’s Take Podcast 15th Anniversary Rebrand, and in November 2025, he appeared as a featured guest on the show.

In addition to these public milestones, AJ has collaborated with small businesses on logo design, branding, illustrations, and website graphics, including a five-piece art collection created for Flora and Fauna.

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Today, AJ works as an educator in the KCKPS school district while completing his Master of Education. His current artwork blends traditional and digital methods, featuring expressive, gestural textures that reflect the messy yet beautiful nature of life. He maintains a daily sketching practice, developing selected drawings into finished digital, traditional, or hybrid works. Texture remains a central focus in his art, acting as a visual and emotional touchpoint for viewers.

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Outside of his professional and creative life, AJ enjoys working out, gaming, and spending time with his husband and their three pets—Max, Savannah, and Elton. His preferred mediums include soft pastels, digital illustration, and acrylic painting, using tools such as Procreate, Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboard Pro, and Toon Boom Harmony. His long-term goal is to create an ongoing animated cartoon series that brings together storytelling, world-building, and his distinctive visual style.