Every piece of pottery created by Lawrence uniquely depicts Hopi myths told to him by the elders of his tribe.  Many of the myths describe the origin of the tribe and explain the presence of the Hopi in the Southwest.  While his smaller pots may represent a page from the book of a particular myth, his larger pots often communicate the entire story of the myth.  Lawrence uses his pottery as a painter would use a canvas to give his version of the Hopi migration from the Grand Canyon to the four corners region of Arizona. 

All of his pottery is hand molded using coiling and pinching methods, scraping and shaping.  Paintings on the pottery are created using paints made from minerals and plants which he harvests.  Some of the natural pigments he uses are:  Red – Iron Oxide, White – Volcanic Pumice, Yellow – Lemonite, Blue – Chrysocolla, Brown – Hematite with Tangy Mustard Green Plant, Dark Brown – Iron Ore with Tangy Mustard Green Plant, Light Brown – Volcanic Cinder, Ocean Blue (dark) – Cobalt, Lavender – Iron Oxide/Tangy Mustard Green Plant/Volcanic Pumice. 

Carving Kachina dolls in the tradition of his father was Lawrence’s first Hopi artform.  His reputation as a highly successful miniature Kachina doll carver brought him fame in the art world, and he is known as the leading pioneer in the art of miniature Kachinas.  By 1983 he began to explore pottery and spent two years working with natural clay.  During his debut at “Eight Northern Pueblos” artist and craftsmen show in New Mexico, his “Hopi Ceremonial Calendar” received the “Governor’s Award – Best of Show.” 

Although Kachinas are the foundation of Lawrence’s art, he had a desire to use natural items such as clay and paints made from the earth.  Lawrence’s work has been influenced some by the late Tom Polacca (a Hopi-Tewa potter) but even more so by Nathan Youngblood (a Santa Clara Pueblo potter).   

Lawrence has worked as a Hopi potter in Walpi Village on land that has been inhabited by Hopi Indians for more than 2000 years.  A member of the Flute/Deer clan, Lawrence resides on First Mesa in Walpi Village, the place where he was born in 1949 and has been raised. As is traditional, Lawrence is even teaching his children the craft of pottery. 

The only time that Lawrence did not live on the First Mesa was during high school at Phoenix Indian High in Phoenix, Arizona and during his enlistment in the Army after graduating.  While in the Army, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and served and trained with the Special Forces (Green Berets).  Upon completing his duty of service, Lawrence returned home to be among his people. 

In 1996, two of his pots became part of the Smithsonian Institute’s permanent collection.  Many of his pots continue to be added to museums, galleries, and private collections.  One of his works is in the home of the Royal Family of England.