Artist and director of contemporary art company

By LIANE VOISEY

Name: Angie Dennis

Age: 31

Working hours: 50-hour week on average

Employer(s): Self-employed, any art design company


Pay: Customers can pay anything from $50 to $15,000 for a painting (Intuition's designs are from $120). It largely depends on how well known you are and on the number of artworks, medium used, style and size of art

Qualifications needed: Bachelor of art is useful

Career prospects: For artists who don't want the associated risks of starting their own business, you can display artwork in galleries, cafes or even on your own website


DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO

I create artwork to complement the interiors of homes or businesses. This involves an in-house consultation, when I discuss the client's preferred colours, texture, dimensions and styles of art, taking into consideration the interior design and environment of the room. I then create the artwork in my studio at home, while keeping the client involved in the design process.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS LINE OF WORK?

That's simple ... my work isn't work - I love what I do and enjoy being able to focus on something that I can put my heart and soul into.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

On the business side I've had five years' business experience in the corporate environment where I attended numerous sales and marketing courses. On the creative side, as well as coming from an artistic family, I've studied art in Britain but also believe strongly in Intuition as a business when it comes to creating artwork for a home or business, that focuses on the colour and form of the art.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU THINK YOU NEED TO DO WHAT YOU DO?

You need to have business savvy. I think a lot of the success of Intuition is based on my sales and marketing experience in the corporate environment. As a business that involves the client through an in-house consultation you really need to be both talented at art and also have a business approach when it comes to marketing and dealing with customers professionally.

You need to be creative and, as the focus is on creating artwork that fits into the homeowner's or business' existing design choices, you need to have a good understanding of spatial and interior design.

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU NEED?

You need to be personable, motivated and passionate about what you do.

BEST PART OF THE JOB?

Being my own boss and being passionate about what I do.

MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB?

Creating time out to relax and switch off from Intuition. I guess that's just a natural part of running your own business from home, and coping with the administration side of things.

ANY INTERESTING ONE-OFF PROJECTS THAT YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST?
Yes I'm working on one at the moment with a Pacific Island theme, for a company that has recently refitted out their offices. I'm working with the managing director and the company's architect to create three wall hangings that incorporate the Pacific theme, using a variety of materials such as hemp and river stones and incorporating these materials into paintings of the pohutukawa, koru and so on ... I'm finding it really interesting working with the variety of materials.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?

To continue to develop new modern designs and commissions for homes and businesses and also to own a large warehouse-type studio/gallery that has views out to the sea and the New Zealand bush.


Intuition