Meet Leah Sayles | Illustrator & Graphic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leah Sayles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is such an imperative part of life’s process – if you don’t take the risk, how far do you expect to truly go?

My business was built on risk, and I’m grateful for that every day.

I left a full-time job with benefits to take a leap and create something that was my own. Interestingly enough, fear is one of my biggest challenges – the fear of pouring my heart into every piece I create, and having the resulting portfolio rejected is a fear that rests on my shoulders every day as an independent Illustrator & Graphic Artist. But the RISK of sharing that work and having it seen by those that enjoy the work and want to work with the artist, is a light on the horizon that pushes that fear away.

Risk is reaching past your fears, and knowing that no matter what the result, you are putting yourself and who you are in front of others so that you can be seen. Risk is taking the next step, while fear keeps you immobile. Risk is moving forward, no matter how small. Risk is love. Risk is passion. Risk is opportunity.

If it weren’t for risk I wouldn’t have the business I have today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a multi-faceted Illustrator & Graphic Artist, I create bold, vibrant, and edgy illustrations and designs for a variety of individuals, businesses, project expectations, and shop products. The main goal of my work is to tell a story, with a focus of making imaginal worlds a reality.

When making new works, I create best when working with others who allow me to showcase not only my multi-faceted skillset, but who are also excited about my dedication, positive responsiveness to feedback, and my high energy & enthusiasm.

I originally began my career working with in-house marketing teams at universities, namely with the University of Georgia, Red & Black Newspaper, and Shenandoah University. I started as a photographer and moved up the ranks to social media specialist, special events assistant, graphic designer, lead graphic designer, project manager, and finally communications coordinator overseeing all facets of the teams I was leading.

After managing my own teams and projects for several years, I began to feel stifled by consistently creating for an entity that was outside of something that I myself built. I continued to want to utilize all of the skills that I had learned in eight years of marketing and design, but I wanted to build a foundation that was 100% my own. Because of this, I stepped away from my full-time position and created my freelance illustration and design business.

Taking this step allowed me to be so much freer in so many aspects of my life and work. Professionally, I was able to focus on the aspect of my work that I wanted to propel forward the most: My illustrations.

It wasn’t all easy from the start. There were many times that I found that I needed to pivot or adapt when things weren’t working. Yet, even through any struggles that presented themselves, I made sure to never give up. Sometimes I wasn’t able to pick up and run with new aspects of my business as quickly as I wanted, but I never stopped adapting in order to build foundations that were necessary to fortify my business.

Currently, I work with clients on a freelance basis for a variety of illustration, design, and graphic art needs. Some of the most recent works include editorial, marketing, advertising, mural, hand-drawn animation, character concept, and educational works. I also create my own illustrations and work for my online shop, conventions, and ever-evolving portfolio.

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?
Top 5: Places to Eat. 1. Sun in my Belly.
2. Revolution Donuts.
3. La Fonda (Original McClendon Location!).
4. Honey Bubble.
5. Fox Brothers BBQ.

Top 5: Places to Shop AND Eat.
1. Ponce City Market.
2. East Atlanta Village.
3. Krog Street Market.
4. Atlantic Station.
5. Tanger Outlet Malls.

Top 10: Places to Visit
1. DragonCon over Labor Day Weekend.
2. The High Museum.
2. Museum of Design Atlanta.
3. Fernbank Museum.
4. Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
5. Atlanta Beltline.
6. Piedmont Park.
7. Downtown Decatur.
8. Six Flags over Georgia.
9. Blue Ridge, Ga.
10. Helen, Ga.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many have been a part of my story, from helping pinpoint my talents so that I could hone them into skills in my early years, to continuing to support my work as a freelancer and ever-growing creative. Thank you so much to Shenandoah University, University of Georgia Recreational Sports, Lamar Dodd School of Art, the University of Georgia, Illustration Master Class, and SmartSchool. Thank you to Alan Sayles, Barbara Tilley, Emalee Sigur, Abigail Chewning, Judy Wood, Andie Moss, Stephanie Moss, the Moss family, Matt & Amanda Levy, Jennifer Stewart, Maggie McCambell Lien, Colby Smith, the SU OMC team, Bunny Carter, Courtney Granner, Chris Payne, the MFA University of Hartford team, Greg Manchess, Scott M. Fischer, and anyone who has ever supported my work since the inception of my business in 2018.

Website: https://www.artforsayles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artforsayles

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artforsayles/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/artforsayles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artforsayles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3WlFRmDZR3ZM38KdrNyW1g

Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtforSaylesbyLeah Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/artforsayles