Lara was born in 1967 and raised in London, England. She attended St Martin’s School of Art in London and then Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence, graduating in 1989 with a BFA in Illustration. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco and taught in a school for underprivileged children, then pursued her interest in book arts.
Lara returned to London in 1992 and worked as an illustrator, graphic designer and art director for magazines, corporate identity and publications. She then took a trip around the Australian outback in 1999, and was so inspired by the landscape and way of life there that she decided to move to Sydney. This was the first time she was able to paint full time and it was a revelation. Lara was represented in Sydney by several galleries who showed her paintings of abandoned rusty vehicles. These works were very well-received and she sold over 70 pieces in 3 solo shows and numerous group shows, and had a lot of favorable press coverage.
She moved to the United States in 2005, and has exhibited her paintings in New York City, as well as regional galleries. She currently lives and works in Westchester County, NY with her family.