Lawayne House grew up in Memphis, Tennessee; and graduated from the then Memphis Academy of Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Advertising Design in 1976. Recruited by the greeting card giant, Hallmark Cards, Lawayne moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began his career as a designer. Over the next 25 years he balanced his art pursuits with a successful career in both illustration and advertising.

Seeking an opportunity to help young artists pursue professional careers, Lawayne began working for Northwest Mississippi Community College as an adjunct instructor in 2001. And, in 2002 he entered the graduate program at the Memphis College of Art. In 2004 he was awarded the terminal degree in Studio Art, the Master of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting.

Lawayne began working for Northwest full-time in 2004 and became Chairman of the Art Department in 2006. He currently teaches Art Appreciation, Art History, Design and Painting.

Through his many creative pursuits; he has designed numerous illustrations and advertising collateral for a variety of corporate and retail accounts. His work has been exhibited in various venues both local and national exhibitions. His works have been written about by jurors and he has received a variety of honors and awards.

Lawayne also served as the 2019 president of the Memphis/Germantown Arts League (MGAL).