If you have a face, Adam Dressner wants to paint it.
A former corporate lawyer, Dressner has built a reputation as a self-taught artist who wheels his “art cart” full of supplies to places like Washington Square or Central Park, creating lively, expressive plein-air portraits of the eccentric New Yorkers he meets.
Last week, he brought his cart to 1969 Gallery in Tribeca. There, beneath a sign made of brown butcher paper with “Fine Art Portraits” scrawled in a Tom Sachs-inspired style, he completed 18 paintings in the days leading up to his debut solo exhibition, “Hello Stranger 2,” which opened Friday night.
The show includes more than a dozen large-scale oil paintings and a salon wall of 60 acrylic portraits, each 12 x 9 inches. It builds on “Hello Stranger,” a project he co-presented with jeweler Greg Yuna last September, where he painted live for three days at Grand Central Terminal.
Some of the faces on the salon wall are well-known—like restaurateur Keith McNally, infamous con artist Anna Delvey, and rapper Lil Yachty—while others are people from Dressner’s everyday life, such as Rafael, a local waiter, or Mr. Love, a man in his 90s whom Dressner met and befriended in the park.
“This is artwork for everybody,” says Dressner. “Everyone has a face. When you look at the wall of 60 portraits, you can’t tell the difference between a literary giant like Joyce Carol Oates and someone you might meet in the park.”
Many of his subjects attended the opening, including Oates, Delvey, influencer Nicolas Heller (New York Nico), Real Housewives of New York’s Leah McSweeney, and art collector Carla Shen. Also present were people featured in his larger works, like poet Matt Starr, Metro North employee Sunny Sueruro, and Monty, known for sunbathing in Washington Square Park. At one point, David Rosa—one of Dressner’s most-painted models—arrived in a tuxedo, rolling in a speaker blasting Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” and breaking into a dance, just as he did at the first “Hello Stranger” opening. Dressner, wearing his signature blue baseball cap, watched with a smile. Other guests included writer James Frey, actress Sophia Anne Caruso, and artists Jon Burgerman, Lizzy Lunday, and Kristian Kragelund.
In the tradition of portrait artists like David Hockney, Barkley Hendricks, and Alice Neel, Dressner uses vibrant colors and expressive palettes against flat, abstract backgrounds. He often includes personal details—a scarf, a hat, or in Starr’s case, a stuffed bear—creating a striking mix of the familiar and the unexpected. One standout portrait, “Rob,” blends Lucien Freud-inspired rawness with an abstract background and unfinished white shoes.
“I look at his portraits and I want to know more about the people. They’re very compelling,” said James Frey at the opening. “It’s easy to walk past a portrait without really looking, but that’s hard to do here.”
At its core, Dressner’s work aims to challenge traditional portraiture, which has often focused on royalty, commissions, or anonymous models. Instead, he celebrates everyday people and the organic connections he makes with them. He draws inspiration from Dutch painter Frans Hals, who moved across social classes with similar warmth and energy.
“I’m interested in flipping the script a little,” Dressner says. “I want to document people’s reactions to the painting and celebrate the individuals themselves.”Courtesy of the artist
Quarantine at Averill Park
Courtesy of the artist
Focusing on everyday New Yorkers is a natural choice for Dressner, who still lives and works in the Stuyvesant Town apartment he’s called home since he was 12. His down-to-earth style also suits an artist who came to the art world later in life. In 2009, while working at his first law firm, Dressner visited a Francis Bacon retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Deeply inspired, he went straight to the Barnes & Noble in Union Square, bought Oil Painting for Dummies, and started painting nude triptych self-portraits influenced by Bacon. For years, he honed his skills while working full-time as a lawyer, until he left his job in 2018 to pursue art full-time.
Dressner and Joyce Carol Oates at Friday’s opening
Photo: Matt Weinberger
Dressner’s intuitive method means that even with his quick, 30-minute process, his portraits are far from repetitive. He paints local New Yorkers with a free, expressive style, using unexpected colors—highlights and shadows that feel as unique as his subjects—resulting in a collection of faces that are both unusual and touching. “His work is playful and original. He uses color very instinctively,” Joyce Carol Oates remarked by phone before the opening. “Sitting for him was a delight. The time flew by.”
Sunny Sueruro was working for Metro North at Grand Central Terminal when Dressner asked to take her photo for reference. About a year later, she had forgotten about the encounter until a coworker asked if she’d seen her portrait displayed in the station. She was stunned.
“I’ve lived in New York City my whole life and never imagined I’d end up in a Tribeca gallery,” Sueruro said, looking at her portrait. “Seeing myself here and at Grand Central was an affirmation I didn’t know I needed. It made me realize I should stop thinking of myself as just ordinary.”
“Adam Dressner: Hello Stranger 2” is on view through October 25, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Adam Dressner Paints Your Favorite New Yorkers in Vibrant Color
1 Who is Adam Dressner
Adam Dressner is a contemporary artist known for his vibrant colorful paintings that capture the unique personalities and energy of New Yorkers
2 What is the style of his paintings
His style is bold and expressive using bright saturated colors to bring his subjects to life in a way that feels both modern and timeless
3 Why does he focus on New Yorkers
New York City is a melting pot of diverse cultures and characters making it an endless source of inspiration for capturing human stories through art
4 How does he choose his subjects
He often selects everyday people he encounters in the citystrangers friends or local personalitieswho embody the spirit and diversity of New York
5 What materials does he use for his paintings
He primarily works with acrylics and oils on canvas which allow for the rich vibrant colors and textures seen in his work
6 Are his paintings available for purchase
Yes his original works and prints are often available through galleries his website or art exhibitions
7 Does he take commissions
Yes he occasionally accepts commissions for portraits especially those that align with his vibrant and expressive style
8 Where can I see his work in person
His paintings are frequently exhibited in galleries and art shows in New York City and sometimes in other major cities Check his website or social media for upcoming events
9 How can I learn to paint in a similar style
Practice using bold colors and expressive brushstrokes Studying color theory and observing how light interacts with subjects can also help develop a vibrant style
10 What inspires his use of color
He draws inspiration from the energy of New York City itselfits streets people and the dynamic interplay of light and shadow
11 Does he offer workshops or classes
Occasionally he hosts workshops or participates in art events Follow his social media or website for updates on learning opportunities
12 How long does it take him to complete a painting
It varies based on size and complexity but typically a single piece can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks