Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Lawrence.
Hi Jamie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am happiest when I am creating Art. I have always been involved with Art, Music, and Fashion since I was young. Growing up in Minnesota I was a creative child and loved singing and writing my own songs. I loved to express myself by singing at competitions and church. The drawing and painting evolved and I loved to make all my own clothes and was always designing.
I moved to a small town Sterling Illinois, outside of Chicago and I would say that is when I really started getting more into drawing and painting. I found art to be a therapeutic way to deal with my parent’s divorce and allowed me to get out of my own head and create. I had such a wonderful art teacher in high school that really allowed me to express myself and let me create what I wanted. I was still involved with music at every level singing, piano, and clarinet, and loved to draw and paint and design clothes. I decided to go into fashion and moved to Miami Florida and have my fine art degree. Upon graduating I worked as a fashion designer and later went into business for myself. Living and traveling in many places has definitely shaped me as an artist. I love London, Paris, Amsterdam, Grand Caymen, Los Cabo, Maui, and Kauai & enjoyed living in Islamorada, the Keys, Buckhead Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico.
While living in New Mexico, which is called the Land of Enchantment for a reason it’s so beautiful, I was inspired to start a collection of Large Oil Paintings and knew with certainty I am meant to paint to be an artist. I became even more spiritual at this time meditating every day and felt everything come together. I was formally taught to paint to draw and this time it was different the connection that I felt became very meditational for me when I would paint. I would stand at the canvas being very present having all my paints and palette knifes out and letting it flow. I had never painted with palette knives before and it just flowed beautifully onto the canvas. I knew this was a very spiritual way to paint to not think, to not manipulate the creation of art. I am so fulfilled by letting go to see what beautiful art presents itself.
I moved to Los Angeles to open my own art gallery Jamie LA Gallery in the Arts District in 2013. I curated elaborate art shows of my art and represented other artists doing a collaboration with me. The Gallery attracted many famous art collectors who admired and purchased my work. I met so many fascinating people that I am good friends with to this day. Music and Television shows have been filmed at my gallery. I really enjoyed these years putting on the best shows at my gallery.
I was offered a collaboration with Zensai In the heart of Beverly Hills a high-end streetwear brand and art mezzanine, that has several of my large pieces that are quite the statement pieces.
I became involved with the galleries in Laguna Beach and decided to move here about three years ago. I fell in Love with Laguna and was so excited about this new venture. I am in The Grace Galleries in Laguna Beach right on Pacific Coast Highway. I am always creating more art from my beautiful home studio, running my business, or in the gallery and talking with clients while looking at the beautiful ocean.
I am truly grateful for all of the moments, experiences, and people I have met along my journey and I wish to continue to grow and bring joy and beauty with my art. I love to encourage everyone to pursue their talents.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I feel my creativity and love of what I do have always been mostly smooth. I have always felt a connection spiritually that we can create anything we desire when for the highest good. I feel all of the arts are so incredibly important on so many levels to create and make this world a beautiful place by spreading love, joy, and unity. I have three beautiful grown children and I have always tried to be a good example to do what you love to do. I have been married and divorced so I guess that could be considered an obstacle/challenge that I had to grow from, but I feel we are all here for a purpose, we each have a journey to take and to discover ourselves and to be the best version we can be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am proud to be the person that I am meant to be, living in this world creating beautiful art, and inspiring people to pursue their talents. I believe being an artist is to create life, I create what I want to see, to be, to achieve. We create everything in our mind first before it’s in our physical reality. I love the movie Wizard of Oz, this has always touched my heart since I was young. We are the solution, we have the power and to always know it comes from within. I really love the fact that I paint “in the moment” allowing the art to flow onto the canvas naturally.
I am known for my large pieces and very 3-dimensional, many layers on the canvas. I love to talk to people, to inspire, be yourself, and be unique, we all are made with such beauty to be our authentic selves.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I think my favorite childhood memory was sitting on my grandmother’s swing in her backyard and writing songs when I was six years old. My grandmother recently passed and I have such fond memories of her. I am truly grateful for my family I have artists on both sides, grandparents, and an aunt. I have heritage from California on my father’s side, we have the famous Anne Southern beautiful late actress and the Latours. I believe in manifesting and it wasn’t until I was older that I came to California, Laguna Beach on vacation, and told myself I will live here someday. I am grateful that I was encouraged to follow my dreams. I feel at home in California in all the beauty and the energy of the people here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jamielagallery.com
- Instagram: jamielagallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamielawrenceart
- Twitter: jamielagallery
- Youtube: www.jamiesartchannel.com
- Other: www.jamielawrencegallery.com
Image Credits
All images are mine the last image in the white dress, my good friend Dylan Perlot professional photographer in LA took pic
