Inspired by Abstract Expressionism and driven by deep curiosity, artist Michael Pauker has created an expansive oeuvre that is inclusive of abstract and figurative paintings, landscapes, sculptures, prints and collages constructed with scraps of aging historical documents, watercolor paints and found objects.
“As an artist, I am not a one-trick pony,” he has said. “Some artists find success doing one thing and stick just with it. But my curiosity is omnivorous. I’m driven by images I’ve never seen before, both abstract and figurative.”
Born in 1957 in New York, Pauker knew he wanted to be an artist from the age of 15. He earned his BFA from the State University of New York (SUNY), then in 1989, completed his MFA at Mills College (now Mills College at Northeastern University) in Oakland where he was awarded the City of Oakland Fellowship in Painting.
Since 1988, Pauker has lived and worked in the Bay Area, teaching art in various venues such as schools, colleges and institutions including the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, the state’s prison hospital, for several years. When he isn’t teaching, Pauker focuses on creating art — the mediums of which can change by the moment.
While he works in oil on canvas for most of his paintings, Pauker is also known for his “Miniature Collage” series. He has worked on this series for more than a decade. Other works include abstract drawings and figurative watercolors blended with collages of vintage paper, stamps and found objects — his Oesterreich II is an example of the latter.
Pauker has exhibited widely across the United States, Japan and Costa Rica, and his works are held in the public collections of many institutions including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Find authentic Michael Pauker art on 1stDibs.
$3,650
Untitled #56, Large Scale Contemporary Cubist Interior Abstract with Pink
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Large-scale contemporary cubist abstract interior scene, composed of pink and multicolor geometric shapes by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). The geometries are fr...
Canvas, Oil
Continental Drift, Contemporary Large Scale Abstract with Found Object Collage
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Continental Drift, Contemporary Large Scale Abstract with Found Object Collage A gorgeous, substantial contemporary abstract expressionist oil painting/collage with bright blue and white background with red accents by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). A collection of various found-object vintage postal...
Canvas, Oil, Paper
$920Sale Price|20% Off
"Milano", Contemporary Abstract Painting with Found Object Collage
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary abstract painting with found object collage by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Black and white oil paint covers th...
Wood, Mixed Media, Oil
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Blue and Orange Shapes on a Black Field
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Colorful abstract painting by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Unframed. Unsigned, but acquired with a collection of his work. “I’m driven by curiosity...where i...
Canvas, Oil
Aqua Culture - Blue, Grey, & Brown Impasto Abstract on Wood
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Dynamic abstract composition on wood board with blue, grey, and brown in heavy impasto that interplay with the background of unprimed woodgrain by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (Ame...
Wood, Oil
"No. 602" Miniature Collage by Michael Pauker Period Typography
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
"No. 602" Miniature Collage by Michael Pauker Period Typography Miniature abstract paper collage in teal and white by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (Am...
Paper, Ink
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
The Punctured Self Portrait abstract by Michael Pauker
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Large vertical self portrait by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). A minimalist portrait of the artist is at the center of this piece, w...
Canvas, Wood, Plastic, Acrylic, Pencil, Pins
$920Sale Price|20% Off
Hivatalo - Chine Colle Monoprint with Collage
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract monoprint by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). This piece is made from several layers of collage, including stamps and pages from old books and manuscripts. Atop the colla...
Paper, Ink
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Assemblage #5 (Ornithology Illustrations & Glass Slide with Silver, Gold Paint)
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract expressionist found object assemblage on wood with highly expressive silver and gold paint by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Against the raw woodgrain, the artist has attached several objects, including paper fragments of ornithological illustrations of birds...
Glass, Plastic, Wood, Paper, Oil, Found Objects, Acrylic
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
"Herculaneum" - Contemporary Figurative Abstract Assemblage
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
A seated redheaded figure is the focal point of "Herculaneum", a unique assemblage painting composed of three canvases with abstract and figurative paintings, attached to a wood panel painted with black text by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Plywood
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
Caricature Portrait of a Man
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary caricature-style portrait of a man by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Signed "Michael Pauker" and dated 1976 on verso. Acquired with a collection of his work. Image ...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Artist's Dream III", Surreal Figurative w Self-Portrait & Classical Sculpture
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary surreal figurative landscape featuring a self-portrait of the artist at work with his palette, beside a classical sculpture bust with column by Bay Area artist Michael P...
Canvas, Oil
"The Cognoscenti", Contemporary Symbolist Figurative
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
"The Cognoscenti", a large-scale contemporary charcoal on canvas figurative scene by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957), 2008. A group of bearded men, whom the title ...
Canvas, Charcoal
$3,720Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary Figurative Abstract with Red & Green Faces
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
"My Sick Conscience vs. Yours", a large-scale contemporary figurative abstract featuring several figures and faces in the foreground against a backdrop patterned with linear green faces on red by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957), c. 2000s. Signed "Michael Paulker...
Canvas, Oil
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
Artist's Dream II - Figure Painting on Beach, Surreal Self-Portrait
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Large-scale surreal figurative landscape featuring a self-portrait of the artist at work with his palette, painting a sculpture of a nude figure on a beach by Bay Area artist Michael...
Canvas, Oil
"Biomorph" Large Scale Orange Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Large-scale abstract in orange of bold shapes by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of his work. Unframed. Image size: 60...
Canvas, Oil
"He Walks Away" - Large Scale Bay Area - Abstract Expressionist
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold patterned abstract by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Several pieces of paper and stamps affixed to canvas. Titled on stretcher bar. Unsigned, but was acquire...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Codicis Liber", Contemporary Monotype with Chine Colle and Watercolor
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary abstract painting and collage composition of stamps, various types of paper, and watercolor by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957), 2009. Titled "Codicis Liber", which is...
Paper, Watercolor
$380Sale Price|20% Off
"Barolo", Contemporary Abstract Miniature Collage
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary miniature paper collage by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Titled, signed, and dated on verso of piece. Titled and dated on verso of mounting board. Acquired with a ...
Paper
$2,520Sale Price|20% Off
"Taahhutlu" Monotype with Chine Colle and Watercolor, Found Object Collage
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary abstract painting and found object collage composition with stamps, money, various types of paper, and watercolor by Michael Pauker (...
Paper, Watercolor, Found Objects
$4,680Sale Price|20% Off
"Knossos" Contemporary Abstract Rectilinear Abstract with Blue, Black & Magenta
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Large-scale contemporary abstract of bold rectilinear shapes in black on a sky blue background with fun magenta accents by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Unsigned...
Canvas, Oil
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Expressionist Portrait of a Man with a Bowtie Oil on Wood
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Expressive portrait, a caricature of a man with bowtie by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of the artist's work. Another version of th...
Oil, Fiberboard
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
"A Disturbance in the Force" Contemporary Large-Scale Surreal Figural Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
A striking, large-scale contemporary surreal figurative abstract by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Titled "A Disturbance in the Force" on verso. Signed "Michael ...
Canvas, Oil
$920Sale Price|20% Off
"Nikolausstaden", Abstract Mixed Media Collage with Watercolor & Found Objects
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Mixed media found object collage with watercolor by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957), 2008. This unique piece creates an abstract composition by layering stamps, ...
Paper, Watercolor, Newsprint
$3,650
Large-Scale Contemporary Cubist Interior Abstract in Gray, Teal, & Yellow
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold, large-scale contemporary cubist abstract with teal, gray, and yellow by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). The scene evokes a highly abstracted cubist interior...
Canvas, Oil
$3,150
Nudes on the Beach, Contemporary Surreal Figurative Abstract with Self-Portrait
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary surreal figurative landscape depicting a male nude laying on the beach next to his art pallet, a self portrait of the artist at work, with four more female and male nude...
Canvas, Oil
$5,500
Large-Scale Contemporary Abstract Geometric with Purple, Yellow & Gray
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Whimsical large-scale contemporary abstract by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). Angular geometries in purple, yellow, light pink, gray, and dark blue converge on t...
Canvas, Oil
$3,150
"Moulin Rouge", Contemporary Aquamarine & Grey Two-Toned Colorfield Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Striking abstract colorfield oil painting on wood panel by Michael Pauker (American, b. 1957). This uniquely textured two-toned abstract is divided into color-fields of super vivid a...
Oil, Wood Panel
A Winters Chill Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful Winter abstract expressionist oil painting illustrating small paint strokes of light blue over strokes of white and dark blue, with thin lines of red, orange, and yellow by...
Canvas, Oil
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Grey & Teal Linear Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Harmonious large-scale abstract with teal linear patterns dancing across a textured grey background by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). Can be oriented vertically o...
Oil, Canvas
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Europa - The Abduction, Contemporary Figurative Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary abstract impressionist symbolic painting representing the abduction of europa by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). This myt...
Canvas, Oil
"The Sea Beach at Ebb Tide", Contemporary Surreal Nude Figural Landscape
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Contemporary surreal figural abstract painting of three nude figures in various poses in an abstracted beach landscape with three faces in the foreground, one of which is red, by Bay...
Canvas, Oil
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
"Sacre Bleu", Red & Blue Contemporary Abstract
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Blue and red two-toned contemporary abstract expressionist oil painting by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). The left fourth of the canvas is dominated by a highly s...
Canvas, Oil
Textural Alphabet Letter Abstract in Ice Blue, Orange, & Pink
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Bright and bold abstract in heavy textured impasto with alphabetical letters scattered across the composition in brightly colored shapes by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, ...
Oil, Wood Panel
Contemporary Two-Part Geometric Abstract: Teal and Monochrome
By Michael Pauker
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold contemporary patterned abstract composition on two joined canvases by Bay Area artist Michael Pauker (American, b.1957). The left canvas, which makes up one fourth of the compos...
Canvas, Oil