A few months ago, I wrote a piece about a work by a man who became friends with a much-loved British superstar.
The artist I am featuring is once again is Trevor Lawrence and a painting that is one of a series of four in my collection that he painted in July 1987.
He is a very difficult man to pin down because he was one of life’s characters who was good at everything he turned his hand to, whether it was acting, singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, writing, telling stories and jokes or (his real passion) painting. As a young man in the 1960’s he got to display his acting talent in such popular TV programmes as Coronation Street, Z Cars, Doctor Who, The Main Chance, Callan, etc.
He also appeared in non-speaking roles in a number of films including The Virgin Soldiers (1969) during the filming of which he shared a changing room with a young actor who had a small speaking part in the film.
This actor was called David Jones and the pair struck up an immediate friendship which lasted through the years and career changes. We came to know this young actor better as David Bowie. They remained friends throughout Lawrence’s life.
Trevor Lawrence was born in London in 1945, and an extraordinary talent, a true character. He wanted to be a showman of some sort from a very early age.
As a young aspiring actor, he appeared in many Hammer House of Horror films, as well as those early TV series mentioned above. He was also always one for a story, a joke or an incredibly good impersonation. When not cracking jokes or telling tales he was frequently to be found behind the keys of a piano in any pub in his hometown of Weymouth that would allow him to play.
His real love was for painting the most outlandish and colourful city tenement or apartment scenes with loads of hidden gems for the viewer to seek out. A Trevor Lawrence picture is a sort of artistic Where’s Wally in that there is always something that is worth looking for hidden away within.
He moved down to Weymouth in the late 80s and spent the last 20 or so years of his life in this seaside idyll. He was one of the Dorset town’s characters who was always larger than life. A mad keen swimmer he took a daily dip out in the bay at Weymouth and most evenings was to be found in one of the town’s hostelries entertaining the punters.
He once said that he hated painting, describing it as his wife who allowed him to go off and enjoy his other mistresses such as his piano playing or swimming, but she always expected him to come back to her in the evening.
Many of his pictures were painted at night during his sleep deprived wee small hours.
Sadly, Trevor Lawrence, the much-loved character, passed away in his sleep at the age of only 67 in 2012.
Lawrence’s paintings were collected by many celebrities, but the constant support of Bowie was unwavering. A true friendship.
This painting is available to view and/or purchase in my art gallery in Holme Grange Craft Village. It is listed at £800, a very reasonable price for an original work by this artist.
Alternatively, we now offer a leasing arrangement, so this along with all of our paintings, can be rented for a small fixed monthly rental fee.
This piece, along with many other great works, is available to view, purchase or rent at AntiqArt, the “preloved art” gallery at Holme Grange Craft Village or online at www.antiqart.co.uk or call us on 0118 327 5421 for further information.
