Bio
About the artist
Paul Reding
I am a 27 year old artist from South Louisiana. Art has been part of the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I was the kid with the pencil and tablet in my hands rather than toys. I did not go the traditional educational route of an artist, majoring in Fine Art in college, but rather studied Industrial Design, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. My interest and pursuits have evolved and changed over time, but art and design will always be at my core. Art has been my path to self-discovery, teaching me patience, perseverance, and the importance of appreciating the present moment. It has opened my eyes to the priceless subtleties that others may overlook—like the soft pink and blue hues cascading through the bark of a skewed pine tree at daybreak, or the silent dialogues between light and shadow. Art has been my constant companion, offering an outlet for expression and helping me make sense of life’s complexities. I am deeply thankful for anyone who walks alongside me in support and takes interest in my work.
My work
I am an experimental artist with a foundation in large acrylic paintings, yet my work is in constant evolution. For me, venturing into the unknown is a way to continually add new skills while refining those I'm mastering. My creative process moves in cycles—immersing deeply into one path, then circling back to apply those lessons to previous styles. Whether I’m painting portraits, landscapes, or abstract pieces, my goal is to tell a story—not just of the subjects I paint, but of my own artistic journey. Every detail in my work answers a question, celebrates a decision, and captures a moment that has led me to this point. Each piece is crafted to provoke emotion, with intent woven into the style, color, lighting, and subject matter. Yet, I always leave room for interpretation, inviting viewers to bring their own stories and emotions into the conversation.
Creative process
My creative process is constantly evolving—whether in the tools I use, the order I work in, or the style and themes I explore. Inspiration often arrives in fragments, like pieces of a puzzle. To begin a painting, I don’t need the full picture—just a few of those pieces in place. That might be a specific color palette, a visual reference, a mood, or a loose idea. Once I have something to hold onto, I can begin.
Sometimes I start with a theme or story—less of a visual image and more of a feeling or narrative. Other times, the process begins with a striking photo, a composition, or simply a color combination that draws me in. I don’t always know where it’s going. In fact, most of the time, I don’t. The destination often reveals itself as I work, and it’s the surprise I enjoy the most. I let the painting guide me—responding to its cues, its shifts, and unexpected moments. It often feels like the work develops its own intention, as if it’s unfolding rather than being constructed.
As the theme becomes clearer, I focus on how to translate it visually—not necessarily through subject matter, but through style, atmosphere, and emotion. I often paint familiar subjects and scenes or pictures taken from my environment, but what gives my work its individuality is the way I paint them.