I have always felt this inexplicable connection to the natural world. Growing up in Colorado, I spent much of my childhood in the mountains and streams in and around my hometown. Though I have many interests, my path has always seemed to stay close to my love and awe of the natural world.
I am currently finishing up my MA in Art Education at The University of Texas at Austin, where I am also working towards my k-12 art certification. Aligned with my interests in the natural environment, my graduate thesis research led me to several environmental charter schools in and around the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area—where I explored the connection between art education and the natural environment. In particular, I looked at the ways in which the art programs of these environmental schools supported the mission of the schools.
Prior to beginning my graduate studies, I taught art for grades k-8th at a small charter school in Southern Colorado. My undergraduate studies were in painting and classical guitar performance.
In addition to my school experiences, I have also directed arts and crafts programs for several museum summer programs in Texas and Colorado, and summer camps in Yosemite National Park, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and GREECE.
So, I suppose the concept for this blog sort of naturally developed from my research—as well as my own experiences. In a way, it is a tool through which I am trying to sort out my own ideas and the function of my own art making…I am always on the search for new discoveries and strive to keep my eyes open to everything opportunity the world presents to me!
If you have any ideas, or your own artful explorations to share, please feel free to contact me via email at : taranpappas@yahoo.com
I’d love to hear from you! 
Delighted you stopped by ‘over at my place’ to introduce yourself! I look forward to seeing what you’re up to here. Like you, I grew up in “outdoors” country (near Seattle) and am currently living in north Texas–I’d guess the Hill Country around Austin is at least a little less of a contrast to CO than NTX to the NW, but still–!
My art-teaching days are over, but my art-learning ones will never be, so I imagine I’ll find lots of stimulating thought and imagery here. Cheers!
Kathryn
Nice to meet you too!
I visited Seattle last spring and absolutely loved it! The NW definitely has some beautiful places to explore! What brought you to TX? I love Austin–and am really enjoying exploring the bits of natural beauty scattered throughout the city and beyond! Though I must confess, I always look forward to my reunions with the mountains of Colorado! Something about hiking there and breathing the fresh CO air just feels like home 
From what I’ve already read of your blog, I love it
Looking forward to further reading and inspiration!
Richard brought me to TX. That’s my husband, a choral conductor, and after a number of years out of academia in the pro/freelance conducting world he got a little homesick for student/colleague interactions and challenges, so took his current gig at UNT. I had left uni teaching (art, English and fundamentals-of-research stuff) over a year before and have been doing my own thing artistically since, so we had the flexibility to make the move.
Yes, when we head up to the NW for family and other visits, we must include Mt Rainier and the water and such in the mix! We’re not hugely outdoorsy, certainly not athletic, but boy is it different being tethered indoors to the AC here. Winter brings welcome freedom.
So glad we’ve connected!
Hi Tara, thanks for the follow. I have to say I love your blog! You’ve got some creative insight going on here. Would love to stay in touch – you seem like someone that would have great ideas for Project Create. Please stay tuned with us and give us any comments/suggestions. I need creative minds like yours to help this nonprofit get off the ground!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I was so happy to have found your blog as well–as I have a secret desire to eventually start my own business as well! I just don’t yet have the motivation (and courage) to go out and make it happen. So, reading your blog is most definitely inspiring! Best of luck with your nonprofit venture! I’m looking forward to reading more about it
Hi Tara. Thanks for stopping by my blog today & liking my most recent post. I’m glad that I clicked on your gravitar and found this blog. You’re doing very interesting work! Love the idea of the mosaic from nature. Finding inspiration in nature is something that I’ve just recently started to do with my photography. I may do your challenge, but I’ll be a few days (or maybe weeks) behind.
You might be interested in this photography project I did last fall. http://fourdeeroak.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/you-never-know-what-you-might-find/ I tried to do something similar with seashells recently when I was on vacation, but wasn’t happy with most of my results. I just never found the right focus for what to do with them. Oh well; sometimes that happens!
Looking forward to seeing your mosaic project evolve.
thanks for the like on my blog. yours looks fascinating! looking forward to perusing it and sharing it with my 13 y/o homeschooled daughter.
Peace,
ksmedgirl
Wonderful! I hope you and your daughter are able to try out some of the artmaking challenges in my blog! If you do, let me know how they turn out!
Hello Tara – I saw that you stopped-by my blog the other day…thank you for visiting and for letting me know you were there.
I’ve enjoyed browsing through your posts…. I rather enjoyed the painting of the bee…beautiful colors.
Scott
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Scott! I appreciate your kind words. I’m really enjoying reading your posts as well! Looking forward to future posts!
You are very welcome…I will look forward to your visits!
Hi Tara! I enjoyed reading about your interests and accomplishments. Best wishes for success in your art education career!
Thanks so much, Karen!
Your apple tree animation was totally captivating….
Thanks for your comment! I wish I could say that the apple tree animation was mine—it is incredibly captivating! It was actually created by an artist for an episode of Sesame Street. If you click on the video, you’ll find the information about it on youtube.com.
I love the paper-cutting idea for animation though! I’m hoping to try it myself, as I am only beginning to explore animation! Too much fun.
Thanks for stopping by!
I am a big fan of Ray Harriyhausen The emotion he gave to Mighty Joe Young was amazing …
Hi Tara. I eat, sleep and dream photography. It is my passion. Thank you for liking my post and I wish you happiness and success in all your endeavors.
Hi Kenny! Thanks for stopping by. Like you, I eat, sleep and dream all things art! Thank you for sharing your passion with me, as I attempt to share mine too! Looking forward to reading about and viewing more of your work on your blog! Cheers!
Interesting blog and lively too. Nice to know you have an “inexplicable connection to the natural world”. You are so fortunate to grow up celebrating Nature in the mountains.
Best regards and cheers
Thanks for stopping by! I took a short leave from the mountains, but they have always been in my heart!
Cheers!