Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Pauline Leger

Week 2 of TAT, and here's another artist I'm really excited about (although I've a feeling I may say that every week lol - there's just far too much talent out there!!). This artist is no exception, she is uber talented, but I not only like visiting her blog for her artwork (though obviously a treat in itself) but also for her positivity and wisdom, which shrines through every post. Enjoy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are

My name is Pauline Leger, and I’m a graphic designer by profession and an artist by heart.
Growing up I had parents who supported creativity & as a teenager, I took every art class I could get my hands on. As I became older and it was time for me to choose a career, I quickly realized that art was not a serious option for a profession. Art was just for fun. If I wanted a real job after graduation, the message was loud and clear: become a secretary or a hairdresser. (shoot me now…)
So at 18, I moved to Western Canada and landed my first real job as a secretary – 3000 miles away from home. While I worked at office jobs for years, I continued to make art and I dreamt of having an art job one day. After several years, I came back to the East, and an older friend of mine suggested I look into graphic design as he thought it would be a great fit. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I became an official graphic designer in 1992 and the past few years I have focused my energy on illustrating, painting, writing and journaling. I make art every day. Journaling has become a way for me not only to express myself, but also to understand and interpret the world around me. I began to blog on November 15, 2010 and the creative floodgates opened. I became more comfortable to share my art with the world and became more confident as an artist. Finding such a supportive, creative community out there has meant the world to me. It has literally given me my wings and filled me with such inspiration.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?

Overcoming my own fears. (being judged, by myself or others…) Getting out of my own way. (letting the art be expressed, regardless of how comfortable it is or not)
Believing in my own value as an artist in this world, and teaching others (clients, family, friends) that art is a legitimate profession.
Art is a worthy, fulfilling, honest and honorable path in life.
Yeah, baby… =)

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist? 

- To communicate with others and make them feel less alone.
- To do this in a way that honors my own heart
- To share my ideas & art with like-minded creative souls
- To attend art and writing retreats all over the world
- To eventually publish a successful book that will inspire others to FOLLOW THEIR HEARTS, despite the naysayers and obstacles.
- Oh, and to make lots of moolah while sharing my gifts with the world. =)

What do you love most about your art? 

I love the process of discovery. Beginning a painting or a journal page without knowing much what it’s going to look like in the end, or even where it’s going. I am also getting better at trusting myself. When I prepare to make art, I put on some good music, often light a candle, sometimes have a glass of wine, and as soon as I sit myself down on my little ergonomic chair, my brain kicks into to “creative mode” and it instinctively knows what to do. Without wanting to sound possessed, I sometimes feel like I’m on autopilot. Time is non-existant when I am in this zone.

There is a quote by Picasso that I love: ART WASHES AWAY FROM THE SOUL THE DUST OF EVERYDAY LIFE. That’s what art does for me. It keeps me sane in this insane world.

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?

Blog - legerillustrations.blogspot.com 

ETSY - http://www.etsy.com/shop/paulineleger

Website - paulineleger.weebly.com (under construction!)

See what I mean about positive energy?? Thank you so much for your answers Pauline =) that Picasso quote resonates as the role art has on my life also and I wish I could put your 'time is just non-existant' mojo on my clocks lol

If you would like to be a featured artist on Tell All Tuesday then email me @ jennibellie@yahoo.co.uk.