About Paul Niemi
Paul Niemi rekindled his childhood love affair with visual art in 2008, when he began creating hand painted wire mesh and paper mache masks representing relics from an alternate universe. The work was heavily influenced by his love of theatre, folk art, and the A.D.D.-induced quirky and unusual notebook margin doodles that he recalls drawing while a high school student. The mental excursions, which were often seen as breaks from the boredom of the classroom, earned Niemi superior grades and the ability to create clean and interesting lines, designs and characters.
His current mixed media work reflects his critical eye, steady hand, sharp wit and unique perspective. In his drawings, scratchboards, and paintings, nothing is ever what it seems. The spectator must consider all angles of a piece to fully see it. Thematically, the work often comments on society, while others delve into a deeper place. Nonetheless all the work yields to the surrealism of the psyche that guides the pen, implement or brush.
EXHIBITIONS
2026–”Private Thoughts: Surreal Tricklings From the Mind of Paul Niemi”––Solo Show–Martini Mercantile–Bellingham, WA
2025–Featured Artist El Sueñito Brewing/Frelard Tamales for Sunnyland Art Walk–Bellingham, WA
2025–”How Queer”–Group Exhibition–Voxel Gallery–Bellingham, WA
2025–”Melange”--A two-person exhibition featuring individual and collaborative works by mixed media artist Lori Van Etta and Paul Niemi–Voxel Gallery–Bellingham, WA
2024–Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild Annual 5”x7” Show–Woodstock, NY
2024–Small Works Holiday Show–Meloy Gallery–Bellingham, WA
2024–Dakota Art Store–Annual 6”x6” Show–Bellingham, WA
2024–Fall/Winter Group Exhibition-Jansen Art Center–Lynden, WA
2024–Spring/Summer Group Exhibition–Jansen Art Center–Lynden, WA
2015–Group Exhibition–Pleiades Gallery, Chelsea–New York, NY
2013–Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild Annual 5”x7” Show–Woodstock, NY
2009–Solo Show–Wire Screen and Mache Mask Exhibition–Desert Intarsia Gallery–Albuquerque, NM
2009–Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild Annual 5”x7” Show–Woodstock, NY
2008–Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild Annual 5”x7” Show–Woodstock, NY
Instagram: @PaulieArtPNW