Lauren Pollard, born in 1998 in Surrey, is a self-taught artist based in South Wales, UK. Lauren has shown an interest in art since she was a young girl and would draw pictures for her family and friends. She would teach herself through books alongside the encouragement from her family. She would look at books about Psychology, anatomy, colour theory, art movements, and the old masters to gather inspiration.

Lauren’s specialty is in oil painting and has been working on refining her painting skills since 2021. She focuses on brushwork and colour theory, the psychology behind colours and how they interact. She has a fascination with colour and the way it can impact someone’s emotions and feelings. Lauren is inspired by her surroundings and her own experiences in life, painting these as still life’s and expressive portraits, especially favouring self-portraits as a form of therapy for herself, inspired by Frida Khalo and how she expressed her pain and struggles.

Lauren has won both the Sane Creative Award and the public vote for Carmarthen Portrait Artist of the Year with her painting ‘Andy and the Coracle’

As part of the Sane Creative Award, Lauren is currently working on a series of self-portraits called ‘The Fibro Diaries’ about what it’s like to live with Fibromyalgia and other Chronic Illnesses. The project will depict different symptoms that come from a Fibro flare-up and the impact it has on their day-to-day life. Chronic Illnesses affect many people who suffer in silence and Lauren aims to use the project to connect with others going through similar struggles and to build awareness around invisible illnesses. You can find behind-the-scenes of ‘The Fibro Diaries’ on Lauren’s Instagram @laurenp.art