Hello. I'm Lennie Lawton.

I was born in Hawkes Bay in the North Island of New Zealand at a very young age. My earliest childhood memory was somewhat of an embarrassment to my parents, when still crawling about in nappies, I had an 'accident' on the carpet of a neighbours front room. This event occurred whilst the grown-ups chattered away in the kitchen, oblivious to the fact that my nappy had come 'unstuck'! I was clearly unconcerned as I don't recall any feelings of anguish nor guilt whatsoever. After all, I was far too occupied in the discovery of an apptitude I had for 'clay modelling'. I do however, recall a moment of confused wonderment when, in the midst of panicking adults, the entire carpet was suddenly taken up from under me, whisked outside, and my artwork frantically hosed away in the back garden!

I hated school from the very first day. I made an 'executive' decision there and then, at the ripe old age of 5, that school was not for me. A complete waste of my valuable time.
Although I made a lot of life long friendships during my wasted time at school, I did inevitably fail/flunk most of the examinations and tests I was subjected to., with the exception of arithmetic (not math), sports and my favourite - technical drawing. I failed art.
Despite my early objection to school, I did learn something. I discovered the key reason why we go to school, and that is, we are sent there simply to learn 'how to learn'!

Since that early 'awakening', I have endeavoured to learn something about everything, rather than everything about something. This has been a sort of philosophy of mine, a sort of motto for my life. It may not be right for anyone else but it has been for me in the shaping of my beliefs, my values and my love for peanut butter.

It was the technical drawing, and perhaps an earlier childhood experience, that gave rise to my love for drawing and painting. I'm sure it is due to the extent of my scholastic success at school that I am predominantly self taught as an artist and as a musician/guitarist. Some of my paintings are hanging on one of the walls next door in the Gallery (hit photos button above).

As time marches on I shall introduce music here unless you or someone else beats me to it. Music plays a big part in my life, therefore it will play a big roll in the evolution of this place.

I have been living in England now for twenty interesting years. I have two fantastic children here in the UK and three more who are adults now, making their way in life, two in Australia and one in New Zealand. I also have a handful of very dear friends, an ex wife whom I include in that handful, and a bunch of court bailiffs hounding me for unpaid traffic fines. Such is Life.

I have no confidence in British politics but do have faith in British integrity.
I have no confidence in religion but do have faith in the values of goodness and love.
I have no money but I am a happy man.