Born and raised in Oceanside, California, Paul Counts attended Laurel and Libby Elementary Schools, Lincoln Junior High, and graduated from Oceanside High School in 1976. He began his college studies at MiraCosta College in 1977 before transferring to Palomar College in 1978, earning his Associate of Arts degree in 1980. It was at Palomar that Paul first discovered his passion for glassblowing while studying art.  He continued his education at California State University, Fullerton, receiving his B.A. in Art in 1983 and his M.A. in Art in 1985. From 1985 to 1992, Paul served as an adjunct professor of glassblowing at Orange Coast College.

During this time, he also founded Paul Counts Art Glass Studio and began showcasing his work at national wholesale and retail events. His pieces soon gained recognition and were featured in galleries across the country. From 1995 to 2000, he returned to Palomar College as an adjunct professor, continuing to share his expertise. As a full-time studio artist and instructor, Paul has taught in various institutions throughout the U.S. and has traveled internationally to attend and participate in Glass Art Society conferences. Throughout his self-employed career, Paul has cherished the creative process above all else. While he values the finished work, it is the act of creation that truly defines his journey. Grateful for a life devoted to art, he offers his work as a token of appreciation for the privilege of living as an artist. He could not have dreamed of a better path.