Lara Frances

I’m Lara Frances, a contemporary artist based in Cape Town, working primarily in oil and acrylic. My work sits somewhere between realism and expressive contemporary painting, with a strong focus on texture, movement, and atmosphere. I’m drawn to creating pieces that feel playful, emotional, and alive, often inspired by birds, nature, shifting light, and everyday moments that quietly stay with me.

Art has always been present in my life, but painting became a serious part of my journey in adulthood. What began as a creative outlet gradually grew into a full-time practice through years of consistent experimentation, self-teaching, and painting whenever I could. I never set out with a rigid plan to become an artist, it happened naturally through an ongoing need to create and a growing connection to the process itself. Over time, sharing my work online and with others opened unexpected doors, leading to commissions, exhibitions, collaborations, and collectors connecting with my work in ways I never imagined.

My process is intuitive and layered. I often work with thick paint, visible brushstrokes, and colours mixed directly from what remains on my palette, allowing paintings to evolve organically. I enjoy balancing realism with loosene...

Self taught