Interview: Artist David Uhl
Larry Lawrence | March 15, 2013
When David Uhl first saw Harley-Davidson’s archival black & white photos of motorcycling scenes from the 1930s and ‘40s, it sparked something in him. The classic bikes, the attention to style in the gear worn by riders – it all helped inspire Uhl to celebrate that era by painting it. Since then Uhl has become perhaps the best known painter doing motorcycle-related art. His work has been licensed by Harley-Davidson, has been displayed throughout the world, and is sought by serious art collectors and celebrities alike. Charles Osgood, of CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood, referred to David as “The Norman Rockwell of Harley-Davidson artists.”
We caught up with Uhl at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis. He was putting the finishing touches on a work titled “Steampunk Seduction.” The work was somewhat of a departure for Uhl – a fantasy piece in which he places a modern custom motorcycle and model transported back in time to Victorian England. He was actually painting at the show and hundreds of people stopped and casually watched as he worked. Uhl chatted casually with onlookers as he painted and even continued working on the painting as we conducted our interview.
How long have you been an artist?
I’ve been working in art my entire life and painting for about 14 years. I did a lot of drawing before that.