Smart People Paper | Dwayne Butcher

Smart People Paper #34, 2008 © Dwayne Butcher

Here it is folks, the first show in the WAR ROOM!!!!

Due to the move and various other complications, the remainder of 2008's exhibitions at jw lawson FINE ART were postponed. Well now we can get back on the horse and ride. The WAR ROOM is showing art!

I just (moments ago) finished installing Dwayne Butcher's series of works on paper entitled Smart People Paper. These dandy and fun little paint & ink drawings represent contemplative studies and sketches that fall somewhere between Butcher's paintings and installation pieces.

Butcher is a poet, a painter, an installer, a curator, an organizer...Let's just say he does about everything there is to do with art in Memphis. I am proud to have his work in Milwaukee and I hope you are too.

Ranging in size from 5x9 ($40) to 11x14 ($60), these works will sell fast! Stop on by or call for an appointment to see this work. The work will remain installed until April 2009 or until Mrs. Parkhurst decides to install her work in March.

Portrait #8

Neal Reiter, Milwaukee 2008 ©jwl

The closest thing I have to a brother lives in Minneapolis. I met Neal over 10 years ago in Madison and we have been strong friends ever since.

Luckily for me, he made a trip down this weekend. It was awesome having him in the studio. We worked on some images, talked a great deal about photography, art, girls and all that. It is precisely what I want from any visitor.

As a photographer Neal is growing by the day, each image he takes seems to challenge the last in all the best ways. I am proud to have him in my collection. Check out his work here.

It was good to see you, buddy.

RESCHEDULE: Freetimer Social Hour @ WAR ROOM

This is an announcement to reschedule this event...We have canceled the Feb 20 event and moved it to March 6.

Something I am very interested in is building a collective community of artists and creative professionals. Whether it means hosting art exhibitions, being involved with groups like MIGA or opening up my space for gatherings like lectures and networking events.

Mark your calendars for one such event. The FreeTimers Social Hour will take place on Friday, March 6 @6PM.

The FreeTimers are an online community of photographers brought together by Troy Freund in order for photographers to teach and learn from each other about our craft and profession. So far it has taken place in chatrooms and post on the blog, but now we are gonna go live. Whether or not you are a FreeTimer member or just interested in photography feel free to stop by for some snacks and good folks.

I will also have some art on the walls from Memphis artist, Dwayne Butcher.

Men In Suits

So I get a phone call telling me to check out the CUE section in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, then I get the paper handed to me and HELLO, there I am. Weird in a way, but I am not surprised. I sat in a portrait for Nicholas Grider back in 2005 and always wondered when he was gonna use them.

Since Nicholas has gotten back in town, most of the local artists have been cowering in fear. Nick is a man with an incredible drive for output. To be honest, I am shocked he doesn't have 3 shows opening this weekend.

His portraits of Men In Suits opened last night @ the Portrait Society (207 Buffalo, Milwaukee) and if you missed the CUE you can see it here. Despite what Mary Louise says in the article, I am still open for business. I simply moved. I will repeat (I hope Mary Louise hears me) jw lawson FINE ART is still open!!!

Stop in and say Hi.

Walking Pictures #10

Gate, Milwaukee WI 2009 © jwl

It's a short walk and I take it almost everyday. From my house to my studio and back is barely even a block. It's convenient and it spoils me. Tonight I walked over to get something I had forgotten on my desk. It is lightly snowing and very peaceful out there. I was taken with the stillness and that and decided to follow the signs.

Sometimes photography is just about the doing. By not trying too hard, we can see how beautiful the world can be.

[Self] Portrait #7

Self Portrait, Milwaukee 2009 © jwl

Happy New Year! I hope to see and hear from everyone one way or another. Looking forward to the WAR ROOM events I have planned. Please stay tuned for an update very soon.