Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Blair.
Hi Lara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I came to fine art through a winding creative path that actually feels very connected when I look back. I began my career as a teacher and later spent 25 years as a professional photographer, running several studio spaces and working closely with families and clients. Photography gave me a strong outlet for creativity and storytelling, but in the later years of owning a large studio with employees and significant financial responsibility, I felt a strong pull toward making personal, hands-on art.
At the same time, my husband and I were navigating a season of life where our aging parents needed more support, and I realized I wanted a career that allowed for greater flexibility and creative freedom. I began creating mixed media artwork alongside my photography work, and after closing my studio, I fully transitioned into being a full-time artist.
My work centers on narrative mixed media sculpture, often featuring miniature figures within shadow boxes and detailed scenes. I am deeply drawn to storytelling through small-scale worlds. I initially became known for creating playful faux dessert pieces—donuts, cookies, and sweets—which later evolved into more symbolic environments such as storefronts, landscapes, and emotional metaphor-based scenes.
A major inspiration in my work is the inner life of women, particularly the transitional age around twelve years old. Having taught sixth grade, I witnessed firsthand how confidence and self-belief often begin to fade during that stage. Much of my artwork is created to speak both to that young girl and the adult woman she becomes, exploring themes of identity, resilience, memory, and possibility.
I now work from my home studio, which has become a joyful and immersive creative space. My work is represented at Gallery 408 in Camas,WA , where I love connecting with collectors, and I also sell work through my online shop at larablairartstudio.com.
I recently launched a podcast called “Tiny Worlds, Big Stories” dedicated to artists who create small-scale and miniature work. The show explores creative journeys, storytelling, and the unique perspectives of artists working in tiny formats. With eight episodes recorded so far, I’m excited to continue growing the project and building community within this niche but vibrant artistic world.
I am also an empty nester, and this chapter of life has given me the gift of time, reflection, and creative exploration. I spend my days making meaningful work and enjoying life with my husband and our golden retriever, both of whom seem to understand exactly who I am at this stage of my life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest challenges has been embracing a nonlinear creative path. I’ve moved between teaching, photography, and fine art at different stages of my life. While art was always a consistent thread, I struggled for years with feeling like I couldn’t fully commit to one identity. That created a sense of uncertainty, but in hindsight, each chapter built skills and perspective that deeply inform the work I create today. That feeling of fragmentation has completely shifted now that I am focused on work that brings me genuine joy and clarity.
Another challenge was balancing motherhood with being a highly creative and focused person. I tend to hyper-focus when I’m making, and learning how to remain present as a parent required real intentional effort. Looking back, there are moments where I wish I had been more conscious and available, but my children have expressed that watching me explore different interests and take creative risks gave them permission to do the same in their own lives. That realization reframed what once felt like a struggle into something meaningful and generationally positive.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am best known for creating narrative mixed media artwork that features miniature figures and small-scale worlds. Much of my work explores the idea that tiny scenes can hold very large emotional stories. I’m deeply drawn to creating pieces where viewers can see themselves reflected in the narrative. One of the greatest compliments I receive is when someone connects so strongly to a piece that it moves them emotionally. When a viewer recognizes their own experience or inner life inside a work of art, it creates a powerful and lasting connection, and that is always my goal.
What also sets my work apart is the storytelling that accompanies each piece. The titles and narratives are an essential part of the artwork, helping guide viewers into the emotional landscape of the scene and encouraging personal interpretation and reflection.
Beyond my studio practice, I am passionate about sharing and celebrating the miniature art community. Through my podcast, “Tiny Worlds, Big Stories”, I interview artists who create small-scale work such as dioramas and modern dollhouse art. I love highlighting their creative journeys and introducing audiences to artists they may not have discovered otherwise. The miniature art world is an incredibly generous and supportive community, and I feel honored to help amplify those voices.
Together, my artwork, storytelling, and podcast allow me to engage with creativity in a multidimensional way. It gives me a life as an artist that extends beyond the studio and into connection, collaboration, and shared storytelling.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
As a child of the 80s, rollerskating was a daily practice for me, and it was something that provided a freedom like nothing else. I was actually good at it too, which always makes it more fun! Probably a contributing factor to the joy was the fact that there was no sidewalk in my neighborhood untraveled when it came to those skates. I had a lot of friends who skated with me—it was part of a childhood where we could just be kids. There wasn’t a phone attached to us or even a knowledge of what was going on in the world because after all, in the 80s, kids didn’t really watch the news. I felt like I could very much just be a child, and that is the greatest gift of all.
Pricing:
- My artwork ranges in price from $45 to $2000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.larablairartstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/larablairartstudio
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/larablairartstudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tinyworldsbigstories
