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Lawrence Heggie’s Art of Baha’i Holy Places & the Baha’i World Centre

May 13, 2020, in Images > Visual Arts, by

Lawrence Heggie is a talented artist who works in a diversity of media. In this images post, we’re excited to share some of his works of Baha’i Holy Places and buildings at the Baha’i World Centre (if you’re curious why the Baha’i World Centre is located in Haifa, Israel, you may wish to check out this Baha’i Blog article). We’ll begin with a sampling of his work and then share a few of his words about his artistic process.

The balcony of the Mansion of Bahji. The upper windows of the Shrine of Baha’u’llah are also depicted.
The Shrine of the Bab
The International Archives Building
The House of Abbud where Baha’u’llah lived in Akka.
The resting place of Bahiyyih Khanum in the Monuments Garden.
The portico of the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.
Lamp found near the entrance of the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.
Junayn, a place where Baha’u’llah stayed in the environs of Akka.
The House of the Master in Haifa.
The staircase at the Mansion of Mazra’ih.
The Seat of the Universal House of Justice.
The Shrine of the Bab.
The Shrine of the Bab at dawn.
The Shrine of Baha’u’llah.

Baha’i Blog: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Lawrence Heggie and I am an Australian landscape artist. I have loved art and design ever since childhood; in Baha’i Children’s Classes, I seldom finished the colouring-in exercises due to how long it took to make sure no crayon went outside the lines. Having grown up surrounded by bushland, my art always features some element of nature. I finished my studies in graphic design a few years ago and so now I spend my spare time with a paintbrush or pen in my hand, and the hope of bringing joy to others, in my heart.

Baha’i Blog: What inspired you?

Artist Lawrence Heggie

My parents and art teachers in high school were very encouraging of my interest in creativity. One of my favourite memories of my early painting days was my father helping me make a large wooden easel out of scrap timber from around the house. As well as the school art projects, I was inspired to pursue landscape painting after watching videos of other artists speaking about and filming their techniques. Since then, I have been hooked. It’s exciting practising a craft knowing that, as it is near impossible to reach perfection in art, each day is a chance to continue improving and striving for excellence.

Baha’i Blog: What is your creative process like?

Especially as a landscape artist, it’s wonderfully convenient in this day and age to have access to a phone-shaped camera in my pocket. Whenever I pass by a beautiful sunset, tree, or cloud formation, I can take a quick photo and paint it on a rainy day at home. I find that unless I go out regularly and explore nature, choosing what to paint can be quite a challenge. I generally tend to lean towards realism in my art and so I prefer having a reference image or two next to me to ensure at least the proportions are accurate; colours can then be expressed more freely. After having visited the Holy Land, I have also begun to learn about ink sketches of the Baha’i Shrines, Holy Places, and gardens. When creating artwork of this kind, it’s easy to remember Abdu’l-Baha’s words, that “All art is a gift of the Holy Spirit…. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose when showing forth the praise of God.”

Baha’i Blog: What are some words of encouragement you might give to someone interested in pursuing the arts?

Art, of any kind, when done in the right spirit has the power to elevate the hearts of the viewer or listener. This power is what I encourage other aspiring artists, that ask for advice, to remember as they start their creative journeys. Painting is a humbling experience, and an exercise that demands patience, perseverance and love.

Baha’i Blog: Thank you so much, Lawrence! It’s been a pleasure hearing from you!

You can follow Lawrence on Instagram (@lawrenceheggie_art) or check out his website: www.lawrenceheggieart.com

Posted by

Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
Sonjel Vreeland

Discussion 4 Comments

Just beautiful and excellent art.

Firooz R. Oskooi

Firooz R. Oskooi (May 5, 2020 at 2:25 AM)

Wauuuu, Wau, wunderbar! 1000x Gratulation. Herzliche Bilder. Himmlische Werke Vielen, vielen lieben Dank für Ihre Werke genießen zu dürfen und alles, alles Liebe und Gute für die Zukunft Möge Sie die wunderschöne Liebe Gottes, Seine Gnade erreichen. Ich sehe: Es hat Sie erreicht. Herzliche Grüße aus Bern

Margrit Rita Hurni

Margrit Rita Hurni (May 5, 2020 at 8:39 AM)

Enchanting and refreshing. Please let us know if we can collect or there a website that we can purchase these or other items?

Saeid Yazdanmehr

Saeid Yazdanmehr (May 5, 2020 at 12:32 PM)

Hi Saeid,

Please visit Lawrence’s website for more information or to get in touch with him directly: https://www.lawrenceheggieart.com/

Thanks for asking!

Sonjel Vreeland

Sonjel Vreeland (May 5, 2020 at 10:43 AM)

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