Community Highlights: Meet Lawrence Bullock Ii of MUGwithUs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lawrence Bullock Ii

Hi Lawrence, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Looking back at my journey here, it’s still hard for me to include everything but one main element that fuels me is passion. From the art teacher who first pushed me to embrace art to currently wanting to reach new stages with my crafts; passion has been a key factor.

I was always into art but in 1995 when I went to my first art class in school; my art teacher who had traveled the world for art pushed me to look at art as more than a class I had to pass. She was the one who got me into drawing, poetry, painting, etc. Without her, there most likely would not be that much time traveling with art as my main focus.

Toss in my middle school years, now you have a drive, a need to pursue this path. What began as a hobby became my only outlet to keep from drowning emotionally. From being challenged to write verses to rediscovering the different styles of poetry; my adolescent years groomed me.

December 2011 saw me perform for the first time live, now I’m a published author with an album, a photography brand and an LLC dedicated to the world of art. 2023 I even took the leap and started producing my own event that gives the spotlight to artists around North Carolina.

I know it’s not much detail but as I said earlier, the more I look back, the more I find it difficult to include everything because I’m still rediscovering a lot of what has gotten me here. Passion though along with key figures in my life that have supported me to be better than I thought I could have pushed me this far.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This might sound cliche but to me no road to realizing your dreams is going to be a smooth one. Quite frankly, sometimes the bumpier the more you’ll reach your goals including those you never would have dreamed of.

My road has been filtered with doubt, disappointment and heartbreak. It’s natural for anyone attempting to do what we do as dreamers to fight doubt all the way through. Doubt of if we’re worthy of being the stages we touch; doubtful if anyone cares about what we offer. Doubtful if our portfolio will be appreciated or simply overlooked. I know too well how much doubt can slow us down.

I’ve gotten in my own head too often, caused myself to miss out on opportunities that would have put in better positions. Now the disappointment shows up like giving your all with every performance. Give your best energy to it just to be left with no shows afterward. Do some of the best photography you’ve ever done just to watch other photographers get the big calls.

Heartbreak though has played the most in my struggles. Losing people that played big parts in my support system has led to most of my doubt which played into my disappointment. From both my grandfather’s passing to an artist that I considered my big brother; heartbreak has been the common thread that has allowed the other two to remain.

Some of the best moments I’ve had as an artist have been during some of my most painful times in life. There’s a Poetry Festival called Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival that happens once a year in June. This festival caused me to want to elevate myself as a poet from the first time I attended it back in 2016. It took me a handful of years but in 2023 I gave some of my best performances in slam during that week in Knoxville but what many close don’t know is that I was in a lot of emotional pain during that time. It’s one of the moments that my pain fueled me to elevate but that’s not always the case.

I’ve had many setbacks thanks to heartbreak, but I can at least say that I’m still here pushing myself for everyone that ever gave an ounce of care to watch me climb.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Magnify
Unify
Glorify

This is what M.U.G. stands for. It was first a mantra that I lived by as an artist; then it became my brand. A brand that represents everything I love about art, about community, about being outside the box. The most important thing I can tell anyone about MUG is that it is me; because like myself, MUG is still building. Still finding my place in this community of artists.

Being an all-around artist is what this brand is. Helping to open up more platforms for fellow artists, putting my community first wherever I find myself. Showing the kindness that my faith asks me to even if it’s not always returned. Uniting with likeminded people to elevate this world of art that we love and adore.

As for the services/offerings:

Public Speaking,
Spoken Word,
Photography,
Hosting,
Proofreading,
Editing,
Marketing,
Networking

It has taken me a while to realize how much I have done outside of performing and taking pictures. It’s just like a nine to five; you learn many things when doing it, but you may overlook what you have experience in because it’s part of the job until you look back at your resume.

MUGwithUs is a brand that I want to reach people in positive ways. Everything I do is to reach others; I want this brand to be represent that mindset.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Every day I’m finding out more about my life with every project. There’s a lot of my past that has shaped me that I’m still remembering. For example, my poetry for the longest was more abstract than most because I had a tough time recalling details of my childhood, my adolescence and early adult life. We all have trauma, and my brain has locked away a lot of stories, memories and moments that are part of my testimony.

What a lot of my loved ones don’t know is that often I’m afraid to remember because I never know how it’s going to make me act or feel. My poetry changes all the time with every shred of life I get back. I was numb for a long time, now I’m feeling more than I can recall and it is a constant rollercoaster ride that shapes my voice.

It frightens me because I know I’ve yet to truly reach the core of my memories. It also makes me want to embrace each moment that I have now so I can outweigh the painful with the joyful so my words, my movements, my mood doesn’t always give off someone who is only exhausted.

Pricing:

• Photography: $75 to $500
• Public Speaking/Spoken Word: $100 to $400
• Proofreading: $25 and up
• Editing: $50 and up
• Hosting: $75 and up

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mugwithus.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawbullock/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/law.bullock
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-bullock-ii-b90a3174/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4gZvPZg6nqFOmxe5F5uUiQ
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/lawmugphotography/