Australian artist, Paul Newton has works in the permanent collections of the Australian National Portrait Gallery, Parliament House Canberra, Princeton and Columbia Universities, the Cleveland Clinic, Credit Suisse First Boston (New York) and numerous other collections worldwide. His portrait sitters have included Kylie Minogue, NBA Commissioner David Stern, White House Chief Economics Advisor Steve Friedman, writer Bryce Courtenay, radio broadcaster Alan Jones AO, Rugby legend David Campese, former Governor General Sir William Deane AC KBE, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and ABC Chairman Donald McDonald AC.

Newton has nine times been selected a finalist in the Art Gallery of NSW Archibald Prize competition with portraits of such notables as Maggie Tabberer, John Laws, Fred Street, Donald McDonald AC and Kate Fischer. His 2001 entry, a portrait of Sydney Olympic Games commentators Roy and HG, won The Peoples Choice Awards in Melbourne and Sydney as well as the Packers Prize. His portrait of arts benefactor Pat Corrigan, a finalist in the 2006 Archibald competition, was acquired for the Australian National Portrait Gallery's collection. His portrait of Rev Brian Byron was a finalist in the American Society of Portrait Artists' 2001 International Portrait Competition, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and his portrait of David Campese won First Place in the 2002 Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition, in Philadelphia. Newton won First Place in the same competition the following year.