Debbie Lawrence

Debbie Lawrence is a Brighton-based painter who first fell in love with the city while studying for her Art Foundation. She later completed a degree in Multi Media Textiles at Loughborough University, where an experimental approach to textiles enabled her to develop her strong foundation in drawing.

Before dedicating herself fully to painting, Lawrence built a successful freelance career across textiles, fashion, and interiors. This diverse creative background informs her distinctive visual language, particularly her confident use of colour, layered surfaces, and compositional rhythm.

Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, her process begins with observational sketching and photography - her sketchbook is a constant companion. Back in the studio, she constructs each painting through multiple layers of paint, building depth, texture, and movement. The works evolve intuitively, balancing structure with spontaneity.

Living close to the shoreline, Lawrence is frequently inspired by large-scale swimming events on Brighton Beach. She captures the collective energy of people entering the sea - from International Women's Day swims to Pride gatherings - translating these moments into expressive figurative landscapes. Vibrant swimming hats, merging bodies, and shifting horizons create immersive scenes that celebrate community and shared experience.

Her work explores our profound connection to water and the transformative power of collective human moments. Lawrence's paintings are held in private collections across the UK, Europe, and Australia.