In a city where creativity and community intertwine, Franklin artist Roy Laws has become known for painting the soundtrack of local life. His bold, expressive works pulse with the rhythm of live music and the soul of the South, making him a standout figure in the region’s thriving art and music scene. Whether performing live alongside musicians or capturing the emotion of a song in color and texture, Laws turns every canvas into a visual celebration of sound.
“I’ve always been interested in art, even from a very young age,” Laws said. “My first step into this current journey was years ago when I wanted my kids' rooms to become little art galleries. I would find a style of painting that I wanted to learn and then create art for their rooms based on it. An impressionistic astronaut or an expressionistic robot, for example. I eventually took aspects from all these varied styles to create my own look and technique.”
That “look and technique” has since become a hallmark of the Williamson County art scene...bold, vibrant, and alive with motion, Laws’ work is instantly recognizable for its bursts of color and dynamic energy, often reflecting his deep connection to music.
“I’ve called myself a garage band artist before, and I feel it’s pretty fitting,” he said. “My style is fast, energetic, and enthusiastic. I get the feeling and the vibe of the subject matter rather than its fine details. If a home or office needs a visual focal point or a big splash of color, my art works out quite well. If anyone has ever been to Williamson Inc., they will have seen plenty of my artwork there.”
While his style might be described as expressive, his subject matter often strikes a clear chord. Music is at the heart of almost everything he paints.
“Music is my main subject matter, but I’ve painted everything,” Laws said. “My tagline on my card is ‘Painter of Music’ and to me that takes on a couple of different meanings. First, my works are often music-related in themselves, be it instruments or portraits of musicians. Second, I try to incorporate live music whenever I can while painting. Music flows through my works.”
That connection between sound and sight drives much of Laws’ creative process. His performances, often featuring him painting live as musicians perform, have become a local sensation, offering audiences the chance to see a piece of art born from the rhythm and emotion of the moment.
“Basquiat said, ‘Art is how we decorate space; music is how we decorate time,’ and I completely agree,” Laws said. “My approach is to bring them together for a singular experience. I associate many of my paintings with the musicians who were performing when it was created. I often have them sign the back of the canvases since the piece is infused with their music just as much as it is with paint colors. In a way, they take part in the very creation itself.”
Laws often sets up at Kimbro’s Picking Parlor, a well-known local venue that welcomes artists and musicians alike. “Often when I have a commission piece that I need to work on, I find my studio too quiet and calm,” he said. “So, I’ll pack up my gear and head over to Kimbro’s Picking Parlor. Owner, Will Jordan, has given me permission to set up there any time, and I certainly take advantage of that. The work is just better when there are people around with the vibrations of live music pushing the piece along. I also let whoever stops by take the opportunity to try their hand at painting.”
It’s this openness and sense of collaboration that have made Laws a fixture in the local creative community. His approach to painting live differs dramatically from his studio work, adapting to the spontaneous energy of an audience.
“Over the years of doing live paintings, I’ve developed a technique that works great,” Laws said. “It is the total opposite of how I used to do paintings in the studio. Usually, paintings are done from the back forward, building the background first and working your way to the foreground. However, when doing them in front of an audience, I want it to be obvious what I’m painting the entire time. So, I have to do my layers in different order than I normally would. My live technique is built for speed.”
His love for live performance and interaction also led to the creation of Painting Jam, a concept born out of necessity but sustained by passion.
“Painting in the studio is a rarity now. Too quiet,” Laws said. “Back in 2017, I started doing live streams of my paintings from the studio. To replicate some of the live experience, I set up an iPad where I could see people commenting, and I’d answer their questions in real time. Since I like having music, I’d have some playing in the background. This caused my streams to be struck for copyright violations.”
That obstacle inspired a creative workaround that evolved into something even bigger. To solve this problem, I decided to bring in Jessica Dawn to play in my studio while I was painting, and we streamed it. This was the first-ever Painting Jam,” Laws said. “Now these shows are a regular gathering place for artists, musicians, and anyone who wants to be part of a unique experience. I’ve probably done 30 by now and they are still going on today. I’ve had musicians like Bee Taylor, Cody Brooks, Eric Philipi, Carson Hill, Jake Burman, Anthony Adams, Liv Noelle, Kristin Larkin, Lauren Conklin, and many more.”
Beyond his performances and commissions, Laws is deeply involved in giving back to his community. Through his art, he’s helped raise funds for numerous local causes, blending creativity with compassion.
“Williamson County is extremely generous,” he said. “I work with multiple organizations in town to help raise money for their causes. I paint at events, and the piece is auctioned off at the end of the show. It’s a great way to entertain the audience and helps raise funds for great causes. Also, the winner has a great story to tell about what they won. It’s rare you get to watch the art in your home being created!”
From transforming blank canvases into explosions of color to turning live music into visible energy, Roy Laws’ work captures the rhythm of life in Williamson County. His art isn’t just something you see; it’s something you feel, hear, and remember.
In every brushstroke, in every note, Laws paints not just music, but the heartbeat of our community.
RoyLawsArt.com
“Music is my main subject matter, but I’ve painted everything. The tagline on my card is ‘Painter of Music’