Brian Lawrence was never encouraged to paint in his hometown. In Scotland during the early 1950s, art wasn’t the “most masculine” avenue to take.
“You were encouraged to play soccer, basketball – everything I totally detested but went along with, to be accepted,” Mr Lawrence said.
“I kept painting under wraps because you weren’t really supported. People would call me a bloody poof about it.”
The Darley man doesn’t worry about any of that any more. Since his move to Australia 20 years ago, he’s won 70 awards for his works and been embraced by the arts community.
And just last month, Mr Lawrence won the Ballarat Society of Artists’ competition for accruing the most points throughout the year.
“It’s a 12-month process and voted on a monthly basis. It’s quite reassuring to know I must be doing something right because you’re voted by your peers,” he said.
“If a fellow artist is voting for you, it’s more significant than having someone else vote.”
Mr Lawrence insists there’s nothing “grandiose” about his achievements, but racking up awards from all over the state isn’t an easy feat either.
“Painting for Winston Churchill was a form of escapism, and that’s how I feel. It’s a form of therapy, and I understand why yoga masters go into that space where they unwind – for me, painting is just a tool for unwinding,” he said.
“Ironically, I’m not that competitive. Somebody took the time to show me skills and pass them on to me, and it’s my duty as an artist and human being to mentor and pass on those skills.”
