Zara Jutsum
Leeds
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in oil painting techniques and art commissions management, demonstrating proficiency in art sales strategies and customer engagement. Adept at visual merchandising and workshop facilitation, with a strong foundation in teaching methodologies and artistic collaboration. Skilled in creative project management, mural design, and innovation in design, complemented by drawing expertise and knowledge of art history. Proficient in mixed-media application, branding understanding, room styling, and photography. Committed to artistic project planning and corporate networking, leveraging conceptual thinking for sales negotiation and creative problem solving. A team player with adaptability as a core strength, aiming to further enhance artistic collaborations within dynamic environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Artist
Zara Jutsum Arts
Norwich
11.2016 - 12.2025
- I sell my artworks and do commissions, creating mostly oil paintings, shipping artworks to Barcelona, America, New Zealand and various parts of the UK. Selling artworks and manage commissions, creating oil paintings for clients in various locations. Handle shipping logistics for international orders, ensuring art reaches customers safely. Engage with clients to understand their needs and preferences, enhancing customer satisfaction. I also sell prints and limited editions in the past and have recently managed to sell enough paintings to live off temporarily.
Sales assistant
Red Cross
Orewa , Auckland, NZ
06.2025 - 11.2025
- Utilised excellent communication skills to provide detailed product information while maintaining a friendly manner to regular customers who tend to come in for community-based reasons. I also managed till operations smoothly, reducing waiting time for customers.
Pottery Studio teacher
Honeypots Studio
Hunstanton
06.2024 - 08.2024
- I assisted the owner of the establishment over the summer as temp work before leaving for University in Kingston. I helped teach the customers how to paint the pottery; I also cleaned tables and the equipment and set it up ready for the next group using the table. I also prepared stimulating classroom displays, encouraged student creativity and interest in subject matter.
Bar Staff & Waiter
Butcher Bhoy
Norwich
11.2021 - 02.2023
- Duties, working as floor staff, collecting glasses, clearing up after customers, maintaining floor standards, assisting in any part of the bar as required, and assistance behind the bar taking orders where necessary.
Sales Assistant
Lovering&Co Norwich Market
Norwich
04.2021 - 09.2021
- I have worked as a sales assistant on Norwich market selling vintage clothing. Duties, tidying stock, assisting customers, taking sale payments, managing the stall, opening, and closing the store, and visual merchandising.
Teaching Assistant
Norfolk Painting School
Norfolk
08.2016 - 05.2018
- My main duties as an teaching assistant for short oil painting courses were assisting the teacher with the preparation and teaching of lessons, as well as the evaluation of students works. The role included ensuring everyone’s equipment was topped up throughout the class and was ready to use, answering students’ queries, and ensuring the studios high quality standards were met.
Education
GCSE - Maths, English Lit & Lang, Fine Art, Textiles, Geography
Wisbech Grammar School
01.2008 - 01.2016
A-Level - Textiles, Fine Art, Graphic Design
Wisbech Grammar School Sixth Form
CPD Certificate - Interior Design and Home Styling
Online Course
Photography Field Workshop Isle of Skye
Gary Gough
BA Honours - Fine Art
Norwich University of Arts (NUA)
MA Fine Art - undefined
Norwich University of the Arts (NUA)
Certificate of Higher Education - Cocktail and Mixology Course
New Zealand School of Food & Wine
Auckland, NZ 11.2025 - 11.2025
Skills
- Oil painting techniques
- Art commission management
- Sales strategies and negotiation
- Customer engagement
- Visual merchandising
- Workshop facilitation
- Teaching methodologies
- Artistic collaboration
- Creative project management
- Adaptability in teaching
- Mural design
- Design innovation
- Drawing expertise
- Art history knowledge
- Mixed-media application
- Branding expertise
- Room styling
- Photography skills
- Oil painting proficiency
- Art project planning
- Corporate networking
- Conceptual thinking
Awards
Duke of Edinburgh award | Silver , Peak District, July 2016, Full Driver’s License, February 2019, Online Course | Interior Design and Home StylingCPD Certificate (Distinction), August 2021, Highly Commended by NCAS , Norwich, September 2023, Amateur National Judo Competition - Silver medalist, March 2016 (Senior Blue belt), Advanced Open Water PADI | Scuba Diving, 2016 – Present
Timeline
Certificate of Higher Education - Cocktail and Mixology Course
New Zealand School of Food & Wine
11.2025 - 11.2025
Sales assistant
Red Cross
06.2025 - 11.2025
Pottery Studio teacher
Honeypots Studio
06.2024 - 08.2024
Bar Staff & Waiter
Butcher Bhoy
11.2021 - 02.2023
Sales Assistant
Lovering&Co Norwich Market
04.2021 - 09.2021
Artist
Zara Jutsum Arts
11.2016 - 12.2025
Teaching Assistant
Norfolk Painting School
08.2016 - 05.2018
GCSE - Maths, English Lit & Lang, Fine Art, Textiles, Geography
Wisbech Grammar School
01.2008 - 01.2016
A-Level - Textiles, Fine Art, Graphic Design
Wisbech Grammar School Sixth Form
CPD Certificate - Interior Design and Home Styling
Online Course
Photography Field Workshop Isle of Skye
Gary Gough
BA Honours - Fine Art
Norwich University of Arts (NUA)
MA Fine Art - undefined
Norwich University of the Arts (NUA)