Interview
Lara Polachek
Born in Carmel, California, Lara Polachek began drawing and painting at an early age. Having traveled widely in Europe, and living in California, Virginia, and Louisiana, Lara is inspired by the natural and expansive vistas of the west and the drama and serenity of the ocean. She captures these and other textures and patterns found in nature on canvas and woodwork with acrylics and resin in her abstract work.
Lara continues a century-long family tradition of artistic expression founded in miniature paintings and porcelain decorating, dating back to imperial Russia. Lara studied art and business at the University of Arizona where she was awarded her BS in Finance. Subsequently, she earned the MBA at Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management and worked for a decade in finance and technology. Currently Lara resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and their 2 children.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in Carmel, California and began drawing and painting at a very young age. I became increasingly committed through my teen years, using water colors, acrylic paints, charcoal and colored pencil. My work was shown in a few local galleries in Arizona, including the Shemer Art Gallery. I attended the University of Arizona and earned my MBA from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management.
After my children were born, what was a hobby evolved into a business, and I currently create artwork for residential and commercial clients using acrylic paint and epoxy resin.”
What inspires you most?
“I find inspiration in music, nature, fashion, architecture and travel. I definitely have an eclectic taste in music including country, hip hop and indie rock and music will always be heard coming from my studio. I love to travel with friends and family and have been lucky enough to travel all over the world. After college, I studied in Nice and Paris, France, and still have the artist sketch pads filled with memories of my time there.”
“I constantly find inspiration in the ocean, perhaps from my Californian roots, and love to paint landscapes of snow covered mountains, canyons of the southwest and various abstract compositions inspired by a palette of nature’s colors.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I try to have my work evoke feelings of calmness and peace. Some of my favorite pieces feel almost ethereal in nature.”
How would you describe your work?
“I have a very broad portfolio of artwork ranging from resin covered wood pieces to large scale canvases. I often paint from a photograph of a favorite place or memory of a collector, so my work may be regarded as nostalgic.”
“Artwork undoubtedly evokes emotion, and I’d hope that the pieces I create bring some sense of joy to those who are viewing them.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Some of my current favorite artists include Patricia Qualls, Magdalena Morey, Jenna Hutchison, Sarah Winkler, and Jethro Jackson.”
What is your creative process like?
“When I work with resin, my process is very precise and calculated, as is the nature of working with that medium, but when I paint with acrylics it’s very much a freestyle and I layer the paint and textures until the artwork feels complete.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists provide creativity and design, color and contour where it’s needed. While creating and providing a product that is hopefully appreciated by their market, they do have responsibility to give back, specifically to their community and support other artists to the best of their ability. I also think it’s important to highlight others in a similar creative space.”
Website: www.larapolachek.com
Instagram: @lpolachekartwork
