About the artist

From an early age, LaVigne saw art as a natural career choice in a family that had produced artists sporadically across generations. He followed this path into college, receiving a degree in Illustration from Cal State Long Beach in 1981. However, a post-graduate class called Oil Painting For Illustration, taught by master painter Dan McCaw, pushed his work in a new direction. Oils brought a freedom and immediacy to his fledgeling freelance career and made a connection with clients wishing to promote a breezy, up-tempo lifestyle. The Playboy Jazz Festival, Architectural Digest, and KLM Airlines all became clients. He continued in commercial art through the end of the decade before returning to Cal State Long Beach for an MFA degree. 

Upon completing the degree, he got a tip about a part time position as a graphic designer for the D.A.’s Office in Los Angeles. The job became a seventeen-year association, preparing evidence for trial while also designing printed material for various crime prevention programs. A list of projects he worked on would stretch from the O.J. Simpson murder trial to a mural depicting the 150-year history of the D.A.’s Office, as well as dozens of pamphlets, diagrams, and logos.

In 2010, he left public service to pursue his art full time in Ventura County’s thriving arts community. His work is in the permanent collections of Santa Monica College and California State University Long Beach, as well as private collections at home and abroad.