Dianne Avery Mathews
Cessnock, NSW 2325
Email: diavma@gmail.com
I believe the skills I have learned while in business and as an educator is of huge added value as an employee.
As a mature person I bring with me a strong sense of responsibility, and dedication to tasks, with good attention to detail.
Skills / Attributes
Responsibility, reliability and honesty are important aspects of not only any work I undertake but also in day to day living. I believe in taking pride in workmanship and presenting a reliable and trustworthy service for clients.
Maturity and Life experience. Running a small business makes me aware of what is desired in an employee, I am willing to put in the extra mile. Raising a family and being their education provider while also operating a business has proven my loyalty and dedication to tasks and the ability to overcome obstacles. It has made me confident at multi tasking.
Fast learning. I am a good researcher and learn fast. New tasks come easy to me. I’m not afraid to ask questions, but I’m also very capable in finding my own solutions in most cases. I am a creative thinker.
Dedication to work that I undertake. I see projects through and never consider myself a quitter. Having ran my own businesses I know the importance of committing to tasks and finishing jobs.
Good Communication Skills. I tend to be a natural listener but when I know a topic thoroughly I make
a strong, confident presenter of information.
Computer Skills. I experienced in basic word processing and art programs. Learning new relevant computer skills should not be a problem. I am qualified in fine art and currently specialise in digital media. I skilfully create original 2d artworks as well as 3D digitally sculpted models. I have experience preparing visuals for internet upload as well as turning blogs into basic online stores.
Creativity and Visualisation come naturally and are my strongest skills which have been fine tuned through years of study. Formulating new ideas and being able to put them into action. I have a B.A. in visual arts and enjoy coming up with new create solutions.
Artistic, I love being able to create unique things, I am creative and good with my hands.
Hobbies. I have turned my hobbies into part of our business.
· I create contemporary art, including realistic wildlife illustrations and 3D digital models.
· I enjoy photography. I like to photographically record local wildlife species.
· I design and create unique chainmaille jewellery. I sell these online.
· I design original cross stitch patterns for commercial sale, including intricate celtic knot designs.
· I enjoy writing. Creating poetry, constructing artist statements or writing about art related topics.
Formal Education
1989 - 1991 Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) at Newcastle University
Major subject area: Painting / Drawing.
Other subjects studied were: Art Theory, Museology, Art Business, Advanced Photography,
Paint Laboratory, Print-making, Illustration, Graphics.
Final grades awarded: Credit, Credit, Distinction.
1987 - 1988 Art Certificate at Hamilton TAFE
Major subject area: Print-making. Minor Subject Area: Photography
Other Subjects included: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Colour and Design
Final grades awarded 1st place in 1987. Final grades awarded 2nd place in 1988
1986 Part time studies for Art Units Cessnock TAFE
Subjects: Painting and Drawing
Work Experience / Activities
2011 - Currently Sole Trader
Business has been running since July 2011.
The business consists of the design / construction / promotion and sales of costume jewellery.
It includes the design and handcrafting of unique chainmaille jewellery.
Relying on internet promotion and sales to a worldwide audience.
It includes importing materials from overseas as well as exporting finished pieces.
Implementing most of the skills listed below.
1999 - Currently Partner in a small business “RB & DA Mathews Soft Solutions”
Business has been running since May 1999.Duties include:
Marketing and Advertising,
Defining audience as well as their needs and wants,
Designing appropriate advertising material which will capture customer interest.
Photographing products for advertising.
Communication about our product, allowing informed decisions of the buyers.
Design and printing of Stationary items.
Internet promotion and sales,
Locating online avenues for sale and promotion.
Linking into web rings,
Use of text appropriate for search engine optimisation
Use of Paypal features for international sales and currency conversion,
Use of eBay and Etsy shops,
Use of social media such as Facebook and blogs as promotional tools as well as direct sales
Choosing file extensions and compression value for uploading visual information.
Designing 2D & 3D computer graphics,
Creating fine art through a contemporary digital media.
Design and construction of 3D digital models.
Design of digital UV mapping.
Use of digital drawing tablet.
Use of a variety of art related software.
Basic word processing.
Basic use of Microsoft Word to create documentation and printable pages, including stationary.
Creation of saleable pdf files.
Designing and constructing chainmaille and cross stitch books
Creating contracts
Drafting business contracts and copyright licence agreements
Basic business bookkeeping.
Use of government supplied GST software.
Upkeep of basic sales and expense records
2001 - 2012 Registered Education Provider
Registered with the NSW Board Of Studies as an education provider (Home Schooling).
Designing, documenting and implementing a learning program for primary and high school based on the Board Of Studies Guidelines.
Covering mathematics, English, human society and its environment, art and science.
Locating resource materials and new ideas for incorporating into our learning program.
Making each subject age relevant from infants to yr 10.
Achieving a high standard of recording and documenting of the progress for each year of study.
Organising participation in extra-curriculum activities for the children. Including physical exercise, acting
classes, religious studies, excursions, work experience and fund raisers.
2005 Casual employment washing gourds at a local farm
2001 - 2007 Exhibited in various online international digital art contests
Winning numerous prizes
1995 - 1999 Time out from study and work to care for family.
1995 saw the birth of our second child, at the time our first was only a toddler.
I took time out to care for our new family.
This represented a time of personal growth.
1992 - 1995 Partner in a small business “Owner / Operator” of the Kiosk at Kurri Hospital
A 2 ½ year venture which ended due to large sections of the hospital closing. Duties included:
Fast food preparation/cooking, (fried food, plate meals, sandwiches).
Stock ordering,
Cleaning, Food hygiene.
Counter work, customer relations, taking orders.
Running a “snack trolley” through the hospital wards daily.
Hiring Staff.
Menu design.
Cash handling, basic book keeping.
1992 Ran a Short Adult education class in Creative Photography Held at Kurri Community Centre.
Design and implement a short course to stimulate artistic creativity in use of automatic cameras.
Assisted organisation for a Community Mural Project for Youth Week at Kurri Community Centre.
Arrange a community activity between Community Centre and local schools.
Organised and ran Life drawing sessions for Artists
Employing various models which were available for professional artists sessions.
Organising appropriate venues.
Establishing interest in local artist participation.
Handling of fees associated with hiring models and venue.
1989 - 1992 Private Art Tutor at Kurri Community Centre
Initiating and running private classes for adults and children.
Designing individual sessions appropriate for interest and skills of clients.
Children’s Art Tutor for Maitland Mobile Children’s Resource Unit
Initiating and running classes of up to 20 primary age students (as per government grant).
Design of course.
Ordering materials.
Documentation of results.
Co-ordinated 2 community art exhibitions and activity events at Kurri Community Centre
Arranging artist participation
Organising promotions.
Doing radio and newspaper interviews on behalf of the community centre.
Documenting artworks (conditions reports)
Hanging of exhibitions.
Running opening nights.
Dismantling exhibition.
Co-ordinated the first “Aboriginal week” activities and display week for Kurri Community Centre.
Arranging with local Aboriginal land councils, university department and individuals.
Organising promotions.
Doing radio and newspaper interviews on behalf of the community centre.
Creating an activity program.
Installation and dismantling of exhibitions.
Initiating activities such as painting class , history presentation, and fashion show
Recording the activities.
Exhibited by invitation in Bright New Stars Exhibition at Lake Macquarie Gallery
Exhibited In Various Art Shows And Exhibitions
1986 Full Time Retail Staff in a fabric store
Sales
Weighing and measuring fabric and remnants
Operating a cash register
1985 - 1986 Full Time Sale Representative for Kidney Support Products
Door to Door Sales to private residence and business Duties included:
Sales
Ordering Stock
Designing stock portfolios
Handling Cash, balancing takings every night
1983 - 1985 Full Time Take away Assistant For Weston Take Away
Duties included:
Food Preparation and Cooking
Making bulk meals for Alcan Contract
Deep frying, hamburger grill, salad preparation, chicken rotisserie, ice-cream machine.
Counter work - Taking food Orders, serving
Ordering Stock, rotation and packing of fridges
Cleaning of vents, rotisserie, cool room, toilets, windows.
Mopping, washing dishes, general cleaning.
Operating a cash register
Dianne Avery Mathews
