Don Paulson (1933-2006) was an author, artist, and chronicler of Seattle drag culture. He was born in Seattle and grew up in Auburn and Enumclaw. Paulson was drafted into the U.S. Army at 19 and served for two years during the Koren War. In the early 1960s he went to New York and immersed himself in the Pop Art scene. Paulson was a member and principal organizer of Seattle’s chapter of the Lux Sit and Dance lightshow group and was involved with the Northwest Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.). Artistically, he focused on painting from 1966 onward. This painting depicts the 1985 construction of the Columbia Center, also known as the Columbia Tower, which is located between 4th and 5th Avenues and Columbia and Cherry Streets. Paulson juxtaposed the new construction in the distance with a partially demolished building in the foreground, as well as butterflies and seagulls flying amidst the changing city. Paulson was also a contributor to Seattle Gay News and co-authored the book An Evening at the Garden of Allah: A Gay Cabaret in Seattle.