MEET THE ARTIST: Paul Dolan, An Abstract Artist Blending Story, Structure, and Surprise

For this edition of MEET THE ARTIST, we’re excited to spotlight Paul Dolan, an artist and illustrator whose work blends bold abstraction with intention and design. For Paul, creativity isn’t something that comes and goes – it’s part of how he moves through the world. He’s spent years making something, in some form, nearly every day, developing a visual language that is both intuitive and distinctly his own.

His work invites you to pause, look closer, and discover something unexpected. It’s joyful, surprising, and deeply personal – art that creates connection in a way that feels natural and unforced.

For Paul, making art isn’t reserved for moments of inspiration – it’s a consistent discipline. That practice has shaped both his skill and his perspective. His style has evolved into something confident and recognizable, grounded in experience yet always open to change.

While his work is abstract, it carries a clear sense of intention. Each piece reflects a balance of instinct and structure, where exploration and control work together.

Paul studied painting and animation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, building a foundation that continues to inform his work. His background gives him a strong command of composition, movement, and visual rhythm – elements that shape even his most abstract pieces.

Just as important has been the process of continual making. Through ongoing experimentation and refinement, he’s developed a creative intuition that allows him to trust both the structure beneath the work and the spontaneity that brings it to life.

Paul moves fluidly between personal work and commissioned illustration, approaching both with the same artistic mindset. Each project is an opportunity to explore, solve, and create something meaningful.

In client work, he brings more than execution. He helps shape ideas, offering new ways to interpret and communicate a message visually. His process is collaborative but not passive – he pushes concepts forward while staying aligned with the client’s goals.

The result is work that is both intentional and expansive, grounded in purpose yet open to unexpected outcomes.

At the heart of Paul’s work is a desire to create something that invites engagement. Rather than dictating a single meaning, his pieces leave room for interpretation – encouraging viewers to slow down and notice what emerges.

It might be a color relationship, a subtle detail, or an unexpected form. Each encounter offers something slightly different, making the experience feel personal and dynamic.

Paul’s creative practice also extends into children’s books, where he combines his visual style with stories that are thoughtful, playful, and accessible.

His upcoming book, Lots of Luna, created in collaboration with Kristi Ross and Alli Lamb, introduces the idea that small acts of kindness can create meaningful change. It reflects his ability to translate abstract thinking into stories that resonate across ages – grounded in optimism, curiosity, and purpose.

For Paul, art isn’t just something he does – it’s how he sees. His work continues to evolve, shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a constant willingness to explore.

If his work leaves someone with a sense of joy, surprise, or connection, then it has done exactly what it was meant to do.

Paul lives in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood with his wife, Lisa, and their cat, Mitzi. He is also the proud father of three sons: Jack, Aidan, and Oliver.

Many of his subjects – coffee, donuts, and other small indulgences – are drawn from the rhythms of everyday life. There’s a sense of appreciation behind them: for simple pleasures, and for the people and craft that bring those moments to the table.

At U3, you’ll most likely find him with a cup of BAD A** MAMA coffee (black), ideally paired with a chocolate-on-chocolate cupcake. Sprinkles encouraged.

We’re proud to feature Paul Dolan in our MEET THE ARTIST series and share his work with the U3 community. His abstract style, collaborative approach, and commitment to daily practice are a reminder that art doesn’t have to live at a distance – it can be part of how we experience and interpret the world around us.

To learn more about Paul’s work or inquire about commission projects, visit dolandesign.com or follow him on Instagram at @dolandesign.