Deeply rooted in the traditions of the New York School and German modernism, Paulson’s practice draws upon decades of observation, art historical study, and personal reinvention.
David Paulson (b. 1955, Providence, RI) is an American painter and sculptor whose work bridges classical figuration and expressive abstraction.
He earned his BFA in Painting from the Swain School of Design in 1979, followed by an MFA from Parsons School of Design. He continued his independent studies at the New York Studio School, where he was mentored by influential figures such as Leland Bell and Paul Resika—both steeped in the legacy of Hans Hofmann. These formative years shaped Paulson’s philosophical approach to form, color, and spatial tension.
Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Paulson lived and worked in New York City, immersing himself in its museums and galleries, where he created a prolific body of figure paintings informed by direct study of masterworks. Over time, his style evolved from tonal figuration to a bolder, color-driven vocabulary, eventually embracing elements of Cubism and narrative distortion.
Now based in the Hudson Valley, Paulson continues to explore themes of human introspection and natural observation. His recent works move between oil portraits, gestural drawings, and plein-air landscapes created in the Catskills.
In addition to his studio practice, Paulson has taught at institutions such as Parsons School of Design, the New York Studio School, and Sarah Lawrence College. His teaching mirrors his artmaking—emphasizing direct experience, formal rigor, and emotional authenticity.