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Lawrie Dignan
www.pen-and-ink-drawings.com
Bio
Born in Victoria BC, Lawrie is a self-taught artist whose
unique drawing style has developed through his years working
as a technical draftsman in British Columbia’s civil service.
He has always fostered an interest in the arts and has
been encouraged through the artistic community. In 1990,
Dignan apprenticed with a stained glass artisan who would
become his mentor. This relationship had a very positive
influence on Lawrie as it encouraged, supported and gave
him the confidence to explore his own direction in drawing
with pen & ink. That experience, and his years spent
as a technical draftsman have strongly influenced the stylization
of his landscape works.
The contrast of natural and technical is very apparent in
Dignans' pieces. Employing pen and colored inks in a self-taught
neo-pointillist technique, Dignan conjures up the landscape
of British Columbia in stylized compositions that project
a synthesis of sensuality and precision. The bold quality
of line work contrasts marvelously with the soft hues of
Dignan’s pointillism, achieved through an individualized
selection of colors rather than the palette of primary colors
used in traditional pointillism. His draftsmanship is meticulous
as he approaches his work with an innate ability to fully
express his mood through his innovative style of pointillism,
color saturation, and original composition.
Lawrie was awarded a solo show in 2001 at the prestigious
BC Festival of the Arts. This helped advance his notability
amongst fellow artists and collectors throughout British
Columbia. It also made the decision to leave his lengthy
Ministry of Highways career in 2002, and pursue his artwork
full time an easy one. Today, Dignan’s artworks are found
in private collections around the globe.
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