Paul Samson began focusing on art as his primary creative outlet in his early forties while living in England. After attending Heatherley’s School of Fine Art in Chelsea, London, he completed a six-year painting apprenticeship with Israel Zohar, a British contemporary artist renowned for teaching in the old Renaissance style.
Paul’s work is strongly influenced by the Masters; Picasso, van Gogh, and Vermeer; which is evident in his style, subject matter, and the moody backdrops of his paintings. His practice balances complex compositions with experiments in simplicity, while his brushwork has grown softer and more luminous, with a heightened clarity of colour.
His paintings often tell evolving stories that become clearer as the work progresses. Since returning to New Zealand in 2003, Paul has settled back in Kerikeri, close to his whānau.
Click on the images below to see enlargements of some of Paul's work.
Paul will be exhibiting at his own studio, Stop 29, during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!
