: : : MeAlieArt - ARTIST PROFILE : : :

CV - artist profile : :

I have always loved to draw and create from a very early age, and I think that was my inspiration to select graphic design as a career choice. I came to Brisbane from New Zealand in my late teens with aspirations of being an artist and fulfilling my dreams.

Now, over 25 years collective experience in a variety of Queensland based advertising agencies has given me a vast knowledge and a variety of skills in the Graphic Industry and recently contracting to a number of Consulting Engineering Firms, managing a graphics team, providing innovative and exceptional graphic material for clients. My skills include providing team leadership, technical expertise, project management, client liaison, design & production, advertising concepts, web design and 3D, presentation and packaging.

My overwhelming passion in life is to create, and when I'm not designing on screen, I love illustrating, painting and sculpting with basically anything I can get my hands on. This passion drives me to dream, and dreaming is the essence of my soul. Finding the way to bring these dreams to life is my challenge and keeps a smile on my face.

Management Experience:
• Graphic designer - 1985-1995 full time/Freelance - Advertising Agencies
• Graphic designer / manager 1995-2007 [12 years full-time/contractual] - Team leader and management of an in-house graphic design studio. Oversee and manage team members, internal and external clients;
• Business owner / Graphic designer - Self employed, up to 20 clients nationally

- Communication - Organising and facilitating team weekly workload meetings, regular yearly national group conferences, business networking, Client liaison. Recruitment interviews and half yearly review meetings for team members.
- Time Management - Organise and carry out daily / weekly schedules for group and personal workload, Project Management training (PM1 & PM2),
- Financial Management - Quoting and fee structure reporting, documentation, costing and archiving of projects, audit review meetings.
- Technical Skills - Graphic design software applications on both Windows and Apple Mac computers. Knowledge base of wide range of software packages and design skills including;
• Diploma of Multimedia - Web Design and Interactive Media
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• SketchUp - 3D Modeling
• Illustration - Various Mediums
• Design of Catalogues, Brochures, Annual Reports, Newsletters, Logos for Corporate Identity
Packaging and Point of Sale Material, Posters and Design of Display Presentations, Powerpoint Presentations
• Scanning and Photo Manipulation
• Photo, Model and Prop Direction
• Print Management
• Understanding of Copyright laws

Gallery Management Experience:
• Gallery Assistant Curator [3 years part-time/volunteer]
• Gallery Assistant Manager [2.5 years part-time] - To help manage the preparation of walls for hanging, the cataloging, pricing, tagging, storage and rotation of all artworks. Oversee and manage the marketing and media needs for the gallery such as;

- Media & Marketing -
Identifying and initiating all media and marketing opportunities. Overseeing the artists working in various allocated areas e.g. online, media. Planning and delegating to galley members for facilitation of marketing strategies.
- Online Network Coordinator -
Overseeing and managing promotional opportunities through a variety of online arts networks including MySpace, DiviantArt, Facebook etc and developing strategies to maximise our benefit from these resources. Overseeing and monitoring bulletins and updates. Researching new online opportunities.
- Promotions Manager/Website -
Producing a promotions pack for each artist in the collective, coordinating and overseeing the distribution of promotional material including organising and monitoring the distribution areas and the human resources involved. Maintaining the website.
- Corporate & Liaison Officer -
Foster the development of partnerships and networks within the community and opportunities for sponsorship and in-kind support within the corporate and commercial sector. Foster community engagement and participation, audience development, and initiatives.
- Research & Development -
Carries out research for new projects, initiates and develops new projects for the involvement of the collective, obtains quotes for pricing.
- Public Arts Projects & Workshops -
Weekly children’s workshops, adult art class events, liaison with corporate and art workers organisations for public art projects. Working with Children Bluecard and General Safety Bluecard.
- Theme/ Decorations -
Liaison with events coordinator to initiate, design and create the decorative elements of each theme for shows and special events. This includes sourcing the required materials, overseeing a team of volunteers for production, placement and refinement.