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This morning I was invited to participate in this year's Aurora Arts Festival (June 27th from 10-8pm). The theme for this year's festival focuses on Recycling and Upcycling, which I felt was a perfect fit for my style of work! Mixed media art often reuses materials in new ways (one of the many reasons I love working in this style!). As many of you already know, much of my work uses text from old book pages to create the texture and meaning behind (quite literally) my compositions. In addition to reusing old book pages, I create colors and textures with magazine pages, as well as other materials such as pieces of wood and old puzzle pieces.  The piece above was my first experiment with puzzle pieces. Last week, I finished up another painting using old puzzle pieces for texture:   Using recycled materials in my art work not only adds some interesting texture and meaning to my work, but it also adds excitement and adventure to my creative process! It's always challenging to think about a new material and figure out how to best work with it to create a piece of artwork. If you've never tried making something NEW using something OLD, give it a shot! It's a great brain workout and leaves you with warm and fuzzy feelings, having given something a new purpose!  Got an old picture frame? Try taking out the photos and painting and drawing on the cardboard backing! Add paint to the frame, and POOF! Instant framed artwork. Another perk to using recycled materials to create artwork is that your supplies are very cheap--and in many cases, FREE! What about the cost of your art supplies (paint, drawing materials), you ask? While there are some materials that might be easier to buy (i.e. paints, pens), you can also find some fun new art supplies OUTSIDE! Here are two different pieces I created using red dirt and charcoal that I gathered during hiking trips:   The uses for recycled and re-purposed materials are way too numerous to cover in one post. In the end, it all comes down to experimenting and being open to new materials. Sure, some materials won't do what you're wanting them to do, but those can be the most treasured moments--often resulting in something surprising and new! So, get out there and try making something NEW using something OLD! It's a lot of fun! Have a wonderful and inspirational weekend! Cheers, 
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Last night, I hung 20+ of my paintings in the gallery space at Everyday Joe's in Fort Collins! I first discovered this space last summer, and thought that my artwork would be the perfect fit for the space. If you are going to be in Fort Collins this month, be sure to stop by to view my work, relax, and enjoy a great cup of coffee!   This show also features the first appearance of my newest piece, "Beyond the Last Fir" (which I'll talk more about in a future post!  Have a wonderful weekend, and remember to take some time to appreciate the art around you! Cheers,  |
AuthorWelcome to the whimsical world of Tara Pappas' mixed media art! Thank you for stopping by to view samples of my work and read a little about my adventures as an artist. I am always looking for new ways to connect and grow as an artist, so would love to hear from you if you have any questions or interests in a particular piece. I hope that my work brings you inspiration and joy! Archives
February 2019
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