Born in in Antelias, Lebanon in 1986 during the country’s Civil War, his strong-willed mother sought to ensure a better future for her and her son.
Having nothing to her name, she moved with Lawrence in her arms as a refugee. Living in the housing projects, and eventually finding a safer, permanent haven in London, Ontario Canada. Lawrence Addison’s paintings and comics are shaped by colourful story. Chiefly working with traditionally in oils, Addison believes painting is not only a communication to others of his rich stories, but a way to stay present with attention deficit, grounding himself through the tactile world.
When he feels the need for change, he shifts his work to his comic book, The Warmillion, a fantasy world filled with swords, and sorcery, sharing a story that speaks to things not appearing as they seem.
Lawrence sees art as something he does, but certainly not who he is. A tool, that can be used to destress, be casual, inspire and possibly speak his truth. He is a major community advocate for closing the gap on homelessness, having seen the world from a homeless point of view and working at a shelter for 8 years.