In the month of May, DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery & Gifts is showcasing the art of visual and tattoo artist Lawrence Dineen. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, May 6 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk. The exhibition will be on display through May 29.
Lawrence Dineen was born in Wilmington, Delaware, located just south of Philadelphia, PA. He first showed his interest in art at an early age. Dineen’s art was heavily influenced by street art and graffiti. In third grade, he entered a pencil drawing of a rhino into national competition and won first place. From there on, he saw his potential and was motivated to pursue an art career. Throughout his school years, his love for art came and went. Being told he would never go anywhere with his art, along with few tragedies he endured, Dineen walked away from his passion, putting his pens, markers, and spray cans down. Not for too long though. Eventually he returned to what made him happy, creating.
During this artistic revival, he painted with his friends, a local graffiti crew known as Cangoods. He also worked as a barber, while producing art at his studio. After a long career in cosmetology, the artist took his love for creating art to the skin and became a tattoo artist at Ancient Art Tattoo Studio in North Fort Myers.
Today, he draws inspiration from music, family, past experiences and his first love: Graffiti. His art ranges styles from an urban to dark macabre. He is not limited to one view of the world and recommends ours not to be either. The bright colors in his street style awaken the brain while his darker macabre style takes down the path of his inner torment and personal struggles. That being said, he always finds the beauty amongst the dark. “Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows and neither is my art.” – says Dineen, who considers himself a self-taught artist in all facets of his work from, cosmetology to painting and tattooing. This exhibition embodies the visions of his thought process. “Remove the rose-colored glasses to see what I see,” says Dineen.
Art lovers, collectors and enthusiasts are invited to meet the artist during the Fort Myers Art Walk reception May 6 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler St. in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information about the venue can be found at www.daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.
