Tara Austin is the current Artist in Residence for the UW Scandinavian Folklore Department. She received her MFA in painting from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2017 and now works as a practicing artist and instructor, teaching rosemaling throughout the Upper Midwest.

Her work is inspired by the boreal ecosystem of the Upper Midwest and draws from botanical and natural beauty. Originating in Norway, rosemaling has developed and changed over time and space and Austin’s work—inspired by Norwegian and Norwegian American rosemaling styles, Swedish folk painting, scenic painting and faux finishing, and reverse painting on glass—has been exhibited in galleries throughout the region. She interned under Andrea Herkert, master rosemaler and the current president of the Wisconsin Rosemalers.