VANESSA L. LARA
FINE ARTIST
Vanessa is a contemporary oil painter who specializes in plein-air seascapes and impressionistic realism.
A Southern California native, Vanessa finds herself ever drawn to the coastal seaside and sprawling mountains. Her love of travel and passion for painting lend itself perfectly to plein-air. She loves the rush of racing against the setting sun, which forces her to be more economical and gestural in her work. This allows Vanessa's paintings to capture movement and life, as her subject is ever-changing.
She loves the fresh air and a good challenge.
scenic artist
In addition to oil painting, Vanessa works as a scenic artist for theatre, TV, and film. She incorporates this fast paced painting into her oil work.
Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design and Technology with an emphasis in Scenic Design and Scenic Painting from California State University, Fullerton.
She currently works at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, CA and Theatre 360, a children's theatre in Pasadena, CA.
When she's not painting, Vanessa can be found playing piano, writing, or spending time with her family. She is also fluent in Spanish and Italian.
What is
PLEIN-AIR?
plein-air/plānˈer/adjective
Plein Air directly translates to "in the open air". Made popular by french impressionists, this 19th-century style of painting simply means to paint outdoors.
what is a
SCENIC ARTIST?
sce·nic/ˈsēnik/adjective
- providing or relating to views of impressive or beautiful natural scenery.
- relating to theatrical scenery.
A scenic artist is a painter for entertainment, film, media, and theatre. Scenic artists help to bring the scenic designer's vision to life by painting set pieces and scenic elements. This includes (but is not limited to) large backdrops, creating textures, such as woodgrain or marble, and aging and distressing scenery to look lived in and realistic.
"The scenic artist has the talent and skills to take a designers rendering and recreate it...They create the surface of the production in texture, color, and artistry."
- Local 829 United Scenic Artists
