Biography
Laura Pollak is an award winning Fine Artist, showing her works in galleries and museums across the nation. Her works have been juried into National and International Shows. Recently, she has won acclaim in the very prestigious Pastel Journal's Pastel 100. Her painting won 3rd Place in the Abstract Category. Her work has also been accepted into the International Association of Pastel Society's last two shows.
Pollak is the current President of the Pastel Society of North Carolina, The Piedmont Pastel Society, The Southeastern Pastel Society, The Pastel Society of the West Coast, and an Associate member of The Pastel Society of America.
Her primary medium is Pastel and her works range from landscapes and garden scenes to playful abstracts. Laura also frames each pastel herself in her studio to give every piece of art its own unique presence.
Recent exhibitions include: The Pastel Journal’s Pastel 100, The North Carolina Statewide Exhibition, The Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Show, The Pastel Society of the West Coast, Several One Woman Shows in Greensboro, NC, The International Association of Pastel Societies, The Cecily Byrne Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I can remember the greatest gift my parents gave me at the age of 4 was the Crayola Crayon set of 72 colors! I have been enthralled with color ever since. I’m fascinated with light and shadow patterns. Even the most mundane subject is glorious when truly examined and especially in sunlight. It is a joy to capture the beauty in this world and hold these fleeting moments in a painting. A refuge one can revisit again and again.”
Pollak holds a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from Michigan State University with Post Graduate studies from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit Michigan. For most of her professional career Laura was an Art Director in some of the world’s largest Ad Agencies, and owned her own Ad Firm for almost 30 years. It has only been in the last 10 years however, that Laura has finally been able to pursue her passion; Painting.
Laura began her pastel education with the beloved Addren Doss and has continued her education with studies from some of the top artists in the field: Albert Handell, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, Jen Evenhus, Lyn Asselta, Marla Bagetta, Terri Ford, Dawn Emerson, Karen Margulis, Kim Lordier and Teresa Saia.
Laura and her husband, Jeff and two boys are avid scuba divers and bicyclists. They travel the world adding to her appreciation of nature’s beauty and inspiration for future paintings.
Pollak’s paintings are in collections around the country and can be purchased through galleries, online through her website and at her studio by appointment.
