Princetonians Photo: Adam Dressner ’02 Swapped Law for Painting

Photo: Robin Resch *03

SELF EXPRESSION: Adam Dressner ’02 started teaching himself to paint after he graduated from law school and felt driven to do something creative. He had been writing fiction but fell into the trap of “editing and re-editing, forever.” Painting was different. “I couldn’t undo it. I could visually see my progress, which was very satisfying,” he says. He spent part of the pandemic lockdown living in upstate New York with his father and stepmother, exploring new styles, including a series of triptych portraits, and is now back in New York City. Since he quit his law-firm job in 2018, painting has been his main focus. “I treat it like a 9-to-5,” he says. “I wake up, have breakfast, and paint, five to six days a week.” 

Editor’s note: Dressner writes that in February, two of his paintings will be available for sale as part of Friends Seminary’s Contemporary Art Auction. The auction will open on Thursday, Feb. 17 via Artsy, and an open viewing will happen the week of Feb. 14 at David Zwirner Gallery in New York City. Dressner’s website is www.adamdressner.com.

The following images are a selection of Dressner’s paintings:

Grandma Detail, Oil on canvas

Painting by Adam Dressner ’02

Olga, oil on canvas

Painting by Adam Dressner ’02

Rooftop Meditation, oil on canvas

Painting by Adam Dressner ’02

Grandma’s Foot, oil on canvas

Painting by Adam Dressner ’02