We were lucky to catch up with Tarah Beck recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I can’t remember who but someone once told me you can learn at least one thing from everyone and everything. Something feels too beginner for you? And yet you can’t even learn just one thing? It just reminded me that learning is constant and communal.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I think the purpose of art is to show others that art should be an expression of both inner self and one’s view of the world. And that art opens one up to the ability to think about all things with a more open creative mind. Since capitalism and so much more have limited many people’s access to already overpriced art supplies, I think repurposed goods are the most powerful creative constraint we have. Art should create the momentum toward a more inclusive and kind world since visual and tactile arts are the most universal language we have in my understanding.

My favorite things to make are by hand like books, glass beads, stained glass, and carved prints, especially a relief printed bandana for your next tour or album… sign me up! But in the jack of all trades spirit, digital work has become a big part of what I do as well.

I’m queer, in every sense of the word, and I am doing my best to show that through my art and self expression. Growing up I believed what my family told me about who I was or who I came from, but now after some digging and learning I just want to be my queer self who enjoys gardening and making anything from everything. Learning new processes is a mild obsession of mine and combining each new learned process feels like learning another type of visual language. The more visual languages I learn the more ways I can express and find who I am. I want that to rub off on others, I want to be surrounded by people who mend and modify everything they can and who throw a big middle finger to greed and make things together without perfection.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The idea that people don’t or can’t understand art or are wrong in their interpretation of the arts. If we all “know” that, since tone and intent can be missed from, for example a text message, then the same can be applied to the arts. Getting a degree in fine art solidified this idea and every moment since has unraveled it.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

That nothing exists in isolation. I think it’s super important for us to be a resource for those in our immediate community first. If I can use the skills I’ve learned to help the community I have surrounding me grow in safety and joy, then not only do I grow as an artist but I do so while helping those around me grow as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: Tm-Marie.com
• Instagram: Tm_marie

Image Credits
Tessa Thewes