Jackson Free Press

T.J. Legler's life goal is to run a marathon in 50 states.

When he first began running, Legler would take pictures in each state he visited (he has visited 19 so far). With encouragement from family and friends, he went further into the world of photography and later into the realm of mixed media. This use of photography still defines his work today.

"Everything I do is photography, albeit just modified and taken down a crazy rabbit hole," he says.

Legler's style and inspiration is exceedingly varied and never static, both in his images and composition.

On one of his pieces, "The Adventures of Chip Cooper," he says: "This thing right here's actually got mixes from just all over. ... There are a few main things that pop out, and when you look into it further, you can see more details," including photos, travel stickers and even a few light paintings, he says.

Legler's hodge-podge style is reflected throughout his craft.

"The interesting thing about my work is what I've done in one medium, I'm never done with. I mean, I'm throwing a whole image into another image and making a new image out of it, so nothing's ever done."

People can see his work in businesses such as Sneaky Beans and the chief financial office at St. Dominic Hospital—and now, a new gallery. Legler will be the first artist featured at the Mississippi Contemporary Arts Center. His exhibit, "Start the Fire," is a collection of what he calls "light paintings."

Legler feels the exhibit name is wonderfully appropriate: "Literally, this is fire, and this is the beginning of a new creative era within the city of Jackson."

His light paintings are multi-layer images of steel wool, set on fire and rapidly spun, using natural environments as a backdrop.

"With a light painting," he explains, "you're wanting to capture the whole trail of what you're illuminating. ... You have to wait until near dark. A lot of my best ones have come around twilight."

Legler emphasizes the contemporary nature of his work. He views contemporary art as a building block, using styles and techniques from the previous generation to make something new.

"We're not doing the same old, same old anymore," he says. "It's definitely something that can only be done in this day and age."

In all aspects of his work, Legler tries to use new technology and new ideas. "I get pretty bored doing the same thing. ... I'm just always searching for new, crazy ways (to make art.)"

The majority of his compositions are done on phones—a fact that saves him the necessity of a studio space, and allows him to be completely mobile on the business end. He uses Instagram heavily as a branding tool and also for research. It was Instagram that brought his attention to light paintings in the first place.

"Literally, I learned by clicking on hashtags, looking at keywords, typing them into the Internet, and then just from there I did my first light painting this past February."

T.J. Legler's show for the Mississippi Contemporary Arts Center, "Start the Fire," will be at Coalesce (109 N. State St.) from Nov. 10 to Jan. 7, 2017. For more information, find him on Facebook and Instagram.