Artists Statement

In a sort of folksy surrrealist style I call “Contemporary Narrative Realism”, my paintings tell stories by blending representational content with stylistic adventurism. Think Dali meets Rockwell. My recent work includes tactile and sometimes even dimensional elements integrated with the painted canvas...which in turn reflects the sculptural mixed-media pieces of painted imagery on wood and other found objects that I like to work on between paintings! I used to think of my paintings and dimensional pieces as sort of separate endeavors, but now they are starting to reflect and feed off one another. So cool! My art, regardless of medium, seeks to define in the painted image and the repurposed object the connection between humanity and divinity, nature and spirit. I want my work to surprise, delight, and reflect the work of the Creator in and through me. Stylistically, the influence of my career as a graphic designer is manifest in the composition and intentionality with which I approach content, sometimes borrowing elements of the designer’s craft like typography to help tell a story. My figurative subjects—often children and animals because of their almost complete lack of guile—are juxtaposed in strangely ethereal environments that allow their spiritual essence to seep out of their physical presence. Their beauty inspires me to keep a sharp brush and a loaded palette!

Biography

Lawrence Jolly is a painter and mixed media artist who lives and works in Round Rock, Texas (USA), He attended the University of Texas/Austin and graduated in 1981 with a BFA in Graphic Design. After working as a designer in both agency and corporate environments he founded Jolly Design, a graphic design and branding company, which become one of the top creative firms in Austin, and recipient of numerous local and national awards. After over 25 years in this business, Lawrence parlayed his deep experience in the commercial arts with a lifelong yearning to create fine art, and so began training with American artist Thomas Darnell in France, and English artist Edward Povey, among others. In a relatively short period of time, he has developed a style and body of work unique to his own creative persona, and has exhibited in numerous shows and galleries, including two one man shows. In 2016, his piece “Sedona Lake” was voted the People’s Choice Award winner of the annual City of Austin Peoples Gallery exhibit, and in 2018 his first public sculptural work debuted in the Austin’s TEMPO/2018 program. Lawrence is actively involved in the Austin fine art and creative community, including that of his newly adopted home towns of Round Rock and Georgetown, where he also teaches painting at the Georgetown Art Center. His work can be seen all over Central Texas and beyond, and at www.lawrencejolly.com.

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“Jolly is making an increasing contribution. He brings a fine and also modest realism to painting, in which you can sense him behind the canvas, like the humble artisan. But in his case with a difference: he is a born symbolist, and presents layered metaphors about life, family, mortality - and all the issues with which humanity needs their artists to wrestle. We need to watch Jolly, because I for one, sense that he has barely started to fulfill his considerable potential.”

 

Mr. Edward Povey

B.Ed., Royal Cambrian Academy of Art

 

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Curriculum Vitae

Kerbey Lane Cafe/North
One Man Show  5/2/17 - 7/5/17

Kerbey Lane Cafe/South
One Man Show, 3/6/17 - 5/2/17

The LOVE of Art Exhibition/Sale
Austin Art Space  2/10/17 - 3/4/17
Austin, Texas

Louis Shanks/San Antonio Gallery
One Man Show & Talk 1/14/17 - 2/22/17
San Antonio, Texas

Louis Shanks/Austin Gallery
One Man Show 12/10/16 - 1/10/17
Austin, Texas

The Davis Gallery
Holiday Group Showcase 2016
Austin, Texas

Gallery 701 @ The Long Center
Inaugural Holiday Show  11/18/16 - 2/20/17
Austin, Texas

East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) 2016
Guest of Jack King, Canopy #102
Austin Texas

Texas ArtHouse  Gallery        
Johnson City, Texas
Grand Opening Show    6/17/16 - 7/29/16
Inherent Nature Show 10/17/16 - 11/5/16

Inspiration Gallery Group Show
5/6/16 - 6/27/16
River Bend Church, Austin Texas

West Austin Studio Tour (WEST) 2016
Linc Collective, May 2016
Full review, Organization and Curation of exhibit

Yvonamor Palix Gallery/Houston    
Home Show  5/16 - 11/16

Art City Austin/ 2016
Yvonamor Palix Gallery   4/30-31/16
Austin, Texas

Austin Visual Arts Society
2015 12 x 12 Annual Review
Austin Art Space

West Austin Studio Tour (WEST) 2015
Austin Art Space, May 2015

2015 Peoples Gallery and Exhibition
City of Austin City Hall, Jan - Dec 2015
Austin, Texas

Real & Surreal - A Juried Exhibition
Sandra Lee Gallery - October 2014
San Francisco, CA
Inaugural Solo Show - Way, WAY West!
Art Affair Gallery - May/June 2014
Lakeway, Texas

Austin Artists @ Work Group Show
Old Emporium and Bakery - Aug 2014
Austin, Texas

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse Art Show
May 4, and November 29, 2014
Austin, Texas

Exploration of The Nude Figure
UpStudios - February 2014

Austin Artists at Work Group Show (BEST in Show)
Art Affair Gallery - November 2013
Lakeway, Texas

Exhibition of Dimensional Wood Pieces
Art Affair Gallery - July 2013
Lakeway, Texas

East Austin Studio Tours (EAST) 2012
November 2012
Solo show at East Village Cafe

West Austin Studio Tour (WEST) 2012
May 19-20, 2012
Guest of Zuka Studios

Austin Figurative Show
Austin Art Space, Feb 2012

For The Love of Art Show
Austin Art Space, March 2012

Building Home Show
Phoenix Trades Depot Gallery, April 2012

“Hi, We Are Phoenix Trades Depot” Show
Phoenix Trades Depot Gallery, April 2012

East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) 2011
November 2011
Guest of Big Medium Studios

Awards & Accolades

2016/17 Winner, Austin Art Boards
Competition sponsored by Reagan Outdoor
One of 10 from 240+ entrants. Winning works
featured on outdoor billboards for one year

2015 City of Austin People’s Choice Award Winner
City of Austin Peoples Gallery

Selected to Austin Artist Inc. Sept/2015
MAAA Professional Development Program

BEST IN SHOW
Austin Artists @ Work Show, 2013
Lakeway, Texas