With a maker for a father and a mother whose pockets were perpetually stuffed with foraged seeds, it's only to be expected Polla would end up as a creative inspired by nature.​

She holds a Fine Art degree from the University of Western Australia, a diploma in interior design, and spent many years as a graphic designer specialising in screen printing and print media. Adding an unexpected twist to her career, she is also a qualified Personal Fitness Trainer—as it's importance of stepping away from the easel every now and then.

Polla’s early work featured bold acrylics, exploring themes of commercialism and pop culture. However, her artistic journey took a profound turn in 2009 following the sudden loss of her partner of 15 years, just months after the birth of their first child. After pausing her creative practice for a year, she returned to painting, seeking healing and connection through art. She rediscovered her roots in nature, this time working primarily in the delicate medium of watercolour.