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.