Born in the Bronx, Lawrence was recognized early on as a gifted child. At the age of 14, he was awarded a full scholarship to Parsons School of Design, but various undiagnosed conditions interfered with his educational pursuits. Among these conditions is synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon in which one sense is simultaneously perceived by one or more additional senses. (Individuals with synesthesia may experience colors when listening to music, see shapes when smelling certain scents, or perceive tastes when looking at words.) Lawrence studied at Hunter College, where he was mentored by acclaimed Harlem Renaissance photographer and artist Roy DeCarava; he has also taken classes at the Art Students League. Lawrence is an avid street photographer and enjoys capturing candid scenes. He also works in the mediums of acrylic, watercolor, and collage, with a focus on abstract landscapes and cityscapes. He has begun to explore the medium of digital art.