Meet Tara P LeGall | Painter, Illustrator & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tara P LeGall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara P, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued a creative career because I had to. It really is just in me to constantly create and use my artistic skills. Since before I can remember I’ve been drawing and taking photos and making crafts. I don’t ever remember a time where I wasn’t using my creativity in some way. And the moments where I life hits me and things get rough, doing something creative is what helps me get through it. Starting a painting or sketching a new design helps me find peace. All in all I honestly feel like the creative path chose me.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think what sets me apart from others is that I don’t put myself in a box. Yes, I am a painter first but I also do illustrations, fashion sketching, and design. And I proud of myself for continuing to hone in on each skill and work to get better and better at each of them. Some of the paintings I have created in the past year I would have never thought I could’ve completed a few years. There’s definitely times I wish I had took more drawing courses in college or maybe minored in something so I could be even better at it now, but we live and we learn. If I’ve learned anything its that its never to late to learn a new skill or improve on a skill you already have. I wasted so much time focusing on the fact that I wasn’t as skilled as someone else instead just improving myself. Comparison kills, period. It kills motivation, it kills confidence, it kills your spirit sometimes. My biggest lesson learned has been to truly focus on me and why I create, nothing else can enter my mind. If I’m working on a series about climate change and so is another artist I can’t wonder if there’s is better, I have to focus on what I’m saying with my art and what I want the world to see. As I continue on my artistic journey I want to inspire others to do the same. I want people to see where I mad mistakes so that they can move differently. I want them to see my successes and know that they can achieve the same thing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Thankfully most of my friends love to do the same things I do which tend to involve museums, unique restaurants, and experiences. My new thing has been to search for pop up shops or events that we’ll only be around for a certain time or its something that you might not find in another state. The Black Hair Experience Art Exhibit has been on my list of places to visit. And of course a visit to the High Museum is also on the itinerary, as well as the MODA. When it comes to where we eat it definitely depends on our mood, but two of my favorite places to go are J. Alexander’s and Nova Sushi bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you to my friends and family who have never stopped believing in me. Also, to my bookclub for their unwavering love and support. And to those few who encouraged me through those rough times and did all they could to help me on my journey, everything you did means the world to me.

Website: www.tarapatrice.com

Instagram: @taraplegall

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/taraplegall

Facebook: @taraplegall

Image Credits
All images were taken by me