Reading with Tara S.

Tara Scott

I have a company called Your Elegant Portrait located in Southern Maryland. My clients mainly consists of homeschool groups ages (4-14). My art lessons are not just for the homeschool groups, but to anyone ages (4 to Adults) who wants to learn how to draw and paint, or to improve on their drawing and painting skills. Each week the students learn a different art technique on how to duplicate a drawing or painting from a photograph, or still life objects using basic shapes, lines, and tonal values. The students use a variety of dry and wet medias such as (watercolor pencils, colored pencils, charcoal, pencil, pastels, wet based color markers, watercolor pans, and acrylic paint).

Accokeek Christian Cooperation (A Ton of Fun Fine Arts Homeschool Program)

As an Art Instructor for a large co-op group, I found it very challenging to create art projects for two age groups (4-8) and (9-14). The art projects were based on the skills of the students. Some of the projects included using found objects outside such as Nature Art. I gathered wet leaves and let them dry inside on black construction paper. After the leaves dried they were then pressed down with an iron with waxed paper overtop of the leaves. The students were then asked to design a Nature scene with the leaves to replicate the art style of Vincent Van Gogh. Other projects included (Paper Mache Bowls, Acrylic Painting, Cubism Style (Pablo Picasso), Landscape Watercolor Painting (Edgar Degas), Oil Pastels (Fruit Still Life), Modeling Clay Project, Paper Christmas Tree Ornaments, Stuffed Brown Bag Turkey Project.

Michael's Arts and Crafts (Waldorf, MD)

I was under contract with the Michael's Arts and Crafts. I created a six week program for children and teens ages (5-17) were we met one day per week for one hour. Each week the students would work on a variety of art techniques such as shading, 1 minute sketches to 5 minute sketches, contour and gesture drawing, composition drawing, light and shadow, and negative and positive space. In 2005, the Michael's store decided not to continue with offering contract work to outside employees.

Prince Georges Community College

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Healthways Silver Sneakers Fitness Program

To teach seniors over 60 and individuals under 60 years old popular dances from the 50's to present day.

National Academy of Sports Medicine

Certification to train individuals one-on-one personal training and group fitness.

Chartpak, Inc.

Grumbacher Art Instructor Test is based on art knowledge of drawing techniques using dry mediums (charcoal, pastels, pencil, and graphite), and painting techniques using acrylic paint on canvas and paper.

United States Water Fitness Association

Required certification to teach water fitness classes nationally.

The Spiritual and Cultural Arts Connection

Portrait Society of Atlanta

Native Proficiency