Paul Richard: Blurring the Lines Between Fine Art and Street Art

Paul Richard’s artistry thrives at the intersection of fine art and street culture. Based in New York City and Connecticut, his work spans abstract expressionism, realism, and conceptual art. While these genres often live in separate worlds, Richard sees a shared visual language connecting them all.

“The medium might be different, the surfaces are different, and the venue is different,” he says. “But I think it's the same language and often the same message.”

His oil sidewalk paintings—detailed, lasting, and unexpectedly elegant—have become iconic fixtures on New York’s streets. This is Paul Richard.

A Natural Path to Art

For Richard, art wasn’t a choice. It was a current he naturally followed. Growing up with easy access to supplies, he trained not in classrooms but through relentless practice. “The career picks you,” he reflects. “I started selling paintings soon after I graduated—that was the first real push into making art my focus.” What began as quiet discipline turned into a sold-out show—and from there, a lifelong pursuit.  

The Suit: More Than a Statement

Always sharply dressed in a jacket, tie, and bowtie, Richard’s look is inseparable from his persona. But don’t mistake it for performance art. “It’s comfortable and, I suppose, respectful,” he explains. “And I look good in it, so that helps.” His Invisible Man series often draws from his own reflection—his outfit becoming both reference and signature. “It’s convenient,” he adds. “I can just look in the mirror quickly and resolve a painting that way.”

Mastering the Process, Embracing the Unexpected

Richard is hands-on with every inch of his work—building his own stretcher bars, crafting frames, customizing dimensions. “If a piece feels like it could use a frame, I'll make the frame,” he says. He doesn’t fear mistakes; he adapts with them. “What appears to be a mistake can turn into a virtue,” he says. “Sometimes it’s something you can employ into the work rather than erase.” That philosophy—the blend of precision and openness—echoes across both his gallery work and the streets of NYC.

Inspiration and Evolution

Inspiration, for Richard, isn’t a lightning bolt. It’s momentum. “The process of working is the source of inspiration,” he notes. Lately, he’s diving into abstract contour and patchwork pieces, exploring new edges of expression. Meanwhile, his wheat-paste street art—on billboards, walls, and unexpected corners—brings his work face-to-face with the city’s public. “The more people that see my work, the more I scrutinize it myself,” he says. “That seems to develop the work.”

New York City: The Ultimate Canvas

New York isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a collaborator. “Some consider it ground zero for street art,” Richard says. “There are a lot of galleries, a lot of museums, and a lot of street art.” Whether working from his Chelsea studio or his Connecticut base, the city's energy flows through everything he creates. “If you’re operating on the sidewalks of New York, interesting things will happen.”  

What’s Next?

Richard continues to push into abstraction while keeping a steady output. But he won’t offer tidy advice to young artists. “Everyone has their own method,” he says. “I wouldn’t want to limit anybody in any way by suggesting they should go in a certain direction or not.” Like tying a bow tie—his signature flourish—his process appears effortless but is always distinct. His career is a masterclass in evolution, craftsmanship, and staying true to the message—no matter the medium.  

To explore more of Paul’s art, follow him on Instagram @paulrichardnyc and explore our website to apply for representation or licensing enquiries today. Contact Seminal. Sign up to our Newsletter.

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