The Art Buyer gallery interviews Debbie Lawrence on everyday influences, favourite artists, and fascination with colour. We wanted to find out more on Debbie’s art practice & career. Continue reading to discover an insight into the artist’s life.
We’d love to hear about your creative beginnings.
I was a really creative child, and my nan was probably my biggest influence. She was always drawing and painting, she nurtured my creativity from a young age. She’d give me coloured buttons, scraps of fabric, new pencils—anything to encourage me. She taught me about drawing, perspective , shading , how to draw a figure. She loved bright colour & pattern. She passed this down to me for sure : )
Pictured: Debbie Lawrence
Pictured: Debbie Lawrence
Did you have formal training?
Yes, I did a Foundation course at Brighton, then went on to study Multimedia Textiles at Loughborough University. The course was wonderfully open and experimental, but there was also a strong focus on drawing, which really shaped my approach.
Have you had a career before becoming a professional artist?
Yes, mostly in fashion. After university, I moved to London and had a great time freelancing in various creative roles. I primarily worked in print design—drawing, painting, and embroidering onto fabric. I also designed greeting cards for Hallmark, assisted on home interiors shoots for magazines, and worked as a print designer for Ladybird (part of Woolworths at the time). Eventually, I moved more deeply into fashion, designing clothing for high street stores via a supplier.
But found I was moving further away from the creative process I loved and needed back in my life. In lockdown I lost my job and threw myself into painting.
Pictured: Debbie Lawrence
Pictured: Debbie Lawrence
What influences your work?
I keep sketchbooks and take photos of anything that catches my eye—flowers, colour combinations of random objects, people chatting on a beach. I print these images out regularly and often draw from them.
I love starting with observational drawing, especially outdoors. Beaches are a favourite; I find them full of life, colour, and stories. I’ve been especially inspired by the local group sea swims near my home. Watching 500 women entering the sea is such a powerful, magical sight. I try to capture it quickly in paint, but I also take lots of reference photos to work from in the studio.
Where does your fascination with swimmers come from?
I recently came across some old sketchbooks from when I was 18, filled during a trip to Greece. I had spent two weeks on the beach drawing every day, and those pages reminded me how fascinated I’ve always been with the beach and figurative drawing.
The beach is like a little microcosm of humanity—people are more relaxed, more themselves, ( I think this is the same for me, I am often most relaxed near the sea )
Entering the water You become fully present, free of responsibility, especially in cold water, when you’re acutely aware of your body.
During lockdown, I saw groups of women swimming together, looking out for each other, creating space for themselves even during difficult times. It struck me as such an empowering ritual and act of self care .
That’s the feeling I try to capture. Also the colours—on misty, murky Brighton days, the sea takes on a soft, greenish-grey tone, punctuated by pops of neon from swim caps and costumes. It’s quietly beautiful.
View Debbie’s New Collection Here
The Unfolding of Summer, Debbie Lawrence.
My Life in Art- Debbie Lawrence
What was the first piece of art you bought?
A 1960s fashion illustration found at a flee market. We still have it hanging on our wall—I have no idea who the artist is. I think it’s the combination of the pen drawing, the pattern of her dress and her pose that I love – oh and the aged paper it’s drawn on.
Image courtesy of Debbie Lawrence.
1960’s FASHION ILLUSTRATION
Favourite artist?
Tough question, I have so many for lots of different reasons.
Past: Matisse—for his brave, trailblazing use of colour.
Present: Rose Wylie—for her fearless, bold approach to painting. I love the Her figures and the randomness of the narrative-led painting.
If you could own any piece of art (even if you have to rob a bank or museum!), what would it be and why?
La Dance ( first version) Matisse 1909. Might need to move house to fit it on my wall though!
Dance (I), Henri Matisse, early 1909. Image credit: MoMa.
More like this...