Born in Cambridge in 1962, Lawrence's father was the successful landscape painter Gerald Coulson, so Lawrence was encouraged from a young age to explore his artistic talents. As a child, he was always keen on drawing, either sketching his favourite cars or designing his own.

After leaving school, he worked in retail, but aged 21, he was encouraged by his father to re-awaken his interest in art by copying Victorian landscape paintings taken from old Sotheby's catalogues. Using oil paints on canvas, he knew his initial works were good, and this encouraged him to carry on doing more. In only a few weeks, he sold his first painting, and over the next 14 years he developed his own technique and a reputation which allowed him to become a full-time painter in 1997.

Over the next few years, he refined his technique, following inspiration from the great masters such as JMW Turner, the American Sublime School (a 19th century movement which celebrated epic nature) and German romanticist Caspar David Friedrich together with 20th century painters such as British artist Edward Seago and American Andrew Wyeth. All these artists' works display a deep sense of atmosphere, and it is this which has always been at the centre of Lawrence's work.

In 1999, he signed to publisher Washington Green Fine Art leading to a publishing contract for limited edition prints and following a programme of gallery exhibitions throughout the country, Lawrence was awarded the title of 'Best Up and Coming Artist' by the Fine Art Trade Guild in 2002, followed by 'Best Selling Published Artist' the following year. In 2004, Mayfair's Halcyon Gallery staged a sell-out exhibition of Lawrence's work which coincided with the release of a large format book of his works, Atmospheres. And to mark 20 years with Washington Green, a second book of work, Celebration, was published in 2019.

Lawrence's relationship with Castle Fine Art has made him one of the company's most successful artists and has led to many collections showcasing his superb technique and distinctive style which combines traditional landscape painting with modern techniques.

Now living in rural south Lincolnshire, Lawrence's work is largely inspired by the panoramic East Anglian landscape, especially the wide-open Fenland and the broad beaches of Norfolk, both of which are bathed in large, glorious skies.

His 2022 release Journeys explored the beauty of the Scottish Highlands with a 2023 edition of Journeys showing Lawrence's development as an artist, with stunning landscapes in monochrome colours.

Lawrence says: "I see beauty in the simplest of things. I'm interested in playing with narratives and characters and using light and texture in different ways to evoke emotions'. He feels a spiritual connection to his surroundings, from the sights to the sounds and smells. He begins with a simple pencil line to denote the horizon before mentally mapping out the rest of the composition. Following this, he applies oil paint before blending it with his fingers and then again with a fine brush. He repeats this process until his painting does justice to the landscape in his mind.

Over the last few years, Lawrence has become more experimental with his technique. He uses cocktail sticks to meticulously scratch in detail and individual blades of grass, while palette knives add texture. Oil-based materials give his works a lustre, depth, warmth and tone.

He says: "The landscape here in south Lincolnshire is a mixture of farmland, pasture and dense woodland. I can walk out into huge vistas with towering skies or absorb myself in silent trees and foliage.

'Living at the edge of a small village means that I can walk out into huge vistas with towering skies or absorb myself in silent trees and foliage. As I grow older, I find my connection with the natural environment deepens; my rural location seems to welcome me into its arms and my desire to portray this through my art grows stronger.'