by Noelle Sharp
MAKING ART WORK: Advice for artists, from artists is a series that taps into the knowledge and experience of seasoned creatives from our community and beyond for the benefit of our students. We had the pleasure of speaking with photographer and Department of art & Art History Alum '71, Leslie Scopes, for this episode of MAKING ART WORK. Scope's was the VP and founder of Scopes/Garcia/Carlisle Advertising in SLC for 25 years. Now retired, she designs & photographs for environmentally-focused non-profit organizations. Scopes designed the brochure for Dine Bikeyah that went to Washington D.C. and which helped achieve the designation of Bears Ears National Monument. She is an honored winner of the California Wildlife Photo of the Year, Nature’s Best Photography and has been featured in Audubon top 100 as well as published in National Geographic "Your Shot". Her most recent book, “A Birding Guide to Humboldt County, California”, is available for purchase as part of a fundraiser for The Redwood Region Audubon Society.
What do you wish you had known when you were a less experienced artist/professional?
I should have taken a few business classes in college as I ended up with my own company and had to learn on the job, or hire experts.
How do you find balance between creating your own art and using your creative talents for other projects?
I always try to keep some aspects of my art 'pure' and not tainted by having to please a client. When I was working in graphic design, I used photography as my creative outlet. Now that I'm doing a lot of photography for others, I use oil painting to stay sane! (I'm using oil paints from my old U art classes! - save your materials!)
What's the most useful advice you were given?
Probably the best was "Keep it simple!" I'm still trying to practice that one. The worst advice was from my design professor - "Don't work in the field while in school. Be a waitress." I disregarded it and grabbed in any job I could find in graphics. So upon graduation, I had a degree AND experience - ready to be hired.
