Tuesday 19 June 2012

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.

13 comments:

  1. thank you jennibellie for another great TAT and for sharing these new artists with us. loved your video on rubbish stencils. keep inspiring Jenni!!! love from south caroina, usa

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  2. JENNIEBELLIE!!!

    A lovely interview. Who IS this genius, anyway?!? heheheheee..

    Thank you so much for doing this. i mentioned you on my blog today too... Thank you for having such a giving heart and for introducing us all to SO many other artists out there. Much love, xoxo.

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  3. uh o I missed the tutorial on rubbish stencils! Gotta find that now!
    Jenny thank you for allowing us to bare our souls on TAT. It is such a comfort to read about other artists and their stuggles and their accomplishments and dreams and hopes. Keep up the great work!

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  4. Loving the TAT interviews and I have to agree with your view of Pauline, one of those artists who keep me going with her insights when I lose the thread.

    If you want to add me to the TAT list, feel free.

    Cheers,
    Nigel

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  5. Thank you, another great read and another great inspiration to us beginners - will certainly be following those links and Pauline's blog.

    Love the Picasso quote too.

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  6. Oh, yes! Pauline is inspirational--and fun! :)
    These TATs are going to be so interesting. I look forward to meeting all the artists you interview. :)

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  7. Wow this is so interesting and motivating. I am loving these interviews. so nice to meet Pauline.

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  8. It makes me very happy that Pauline educates people on how art can be a serious career. Sadly, even today, that's a message that really needs to be spread!

    Thanks for introducing us to Pauline and her work!

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  9. Fabulous interview Jenny... Pauline's work is incredibly gorgeous... must check out her blog... thank you for sharing...

    Hugs
    Jenny x

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  10. I'm so glad you are doing these! It's a fun way to get to know others' creative backgrounds and processes. And it's making it easy for me to find other lovely art blogs! haha.

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  11. Another great interview!! I have been following Pauline's blog since November last year and I find her to be a great inspiration. Pauline is so creative and a beautiful person too. Can ya tell I'm a fan??? ;)))

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  12. wow, Great answers. I am very impressed by your art work, Pauline.

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