Austin-based fine artist and photographer Lauren Elizabeth Tarbel creates thought-provoking artwork that inspires and illuminates. An early proclivity for making art led her to attend the Arts Magnet in Dallas and The University of Texas at Austin, later attending the school of hard knocks as an artist and photographer in New York. Upon her return to Austin, She co-founded Moon Studio and Gallery in East Austin and began work upon developing artworks that embraced her fascination with astronomy, nature, mysticism, and spirituality. In 2020 she cut her teeth on illustrating her first children’s book to be released in the Fall of 2021. Her current works include new abstract paintings from her ongoing abstract painting series titled Opening Portals. A Little Peace, her newest mixed-media body of work, is inspired by life before, during, and after the Pandemic. Over the past few years, Lauren’s work has been featured by Women and Their Work, AMOA, and ArtUsCo. Her work has been shown at the Dallas Museum of Art and various art galleries at home and abroad. Her work is in the collections of Howard Rachofsky & art collectors in the US.

Lauren Tarbel is a dreamer, mother, activist, writer, poet, and multi-disciplinary artist living in Austin, Texas. She is fascinated by nature, the universe, spirituality, story-telling, and consciousness. Characteristics of her work include the use of vivid colors, and the exploration of symbolism and patterns; utilizing painting, drawing, design, collage, sculpture, mixed media, and the layering of imagery. The artist is actively working on multiple projects, including illustrating her first children’s book. Her new mixed-media series, All the Little Pieces, on display for the first time, reflects upon life before, during, and after the pandemic. Also on display are new works from her long-term series, titled “Opening Portals,” which she began after the death of her Father in 2018. These often-large abstract oil paintings are inspired by life, love, emotions, death, and a belief that something exists beyond this life. Her artistic intentions paired with her love of painting, loose brushwork, and play with color aim to create visual portals whereby the audience can participate in an aesthetic experience that goes beyond the surface of the canvas and our notions of reality. These works are meant to invite the viewer inward into a reflective state of being and intend to emanate energy and blessings into the world.This artist is a channel for whatever the Muses are ready to share. Creation for her is motivated by a deep calling and the exploration of ideas beyond comprehension. Life is full of mystery and art is her way of trying to understand the world.