Janessa Bookout

Fine Artist & Creative Fabricator · Fifty Skies

HUNTINGTON BEACH , CA

In My Own Words

I am traditionally trained as a fine artist and I specialize in managing small businesses who offer creative goods and services.

I have years of experience operating wholesale manufacturing and retail locations with unique inventory, custom orders, and specialty services. I have also handled merchandising, special event planning and building/maintaining websites on professional e-commerce platforms including Shopify & Squarespace.

I manage multiple social media, email and digital marketing campaigns in addition to handling in-person, online and phone communications one on one with customers. I can create visual content for print or online, including digital photo & video, custom graphics and hand drawn art. I also maintain attention to details on admin & bookkeeping duties.

My earlier work experience also includes work as a professional model and many years as a bartender/server and freelance artist.

I am well spoken, professional, goal oriented and dependable while also being intuitive, creative and understanding. I have managed small teams of professionals and consider myself a life-long student who is eager to learn and easy to work with.

I am looking forward to finding long term employment, on a full-time or part-time basis in Orange County, CA but I am also open to freelance, short term, and/or remote opportunities.

Work Experience

Owner

Fifty Skies

2020 – Present

I am the online shop owner and manager for fiftyskies.com. I provide all areas of service from sales and marketing to admin duties, packing and shipping, vendor ordering, event management and bookkeeping. This is a part-time "side hustle" job I created during the shutdown era of 2020 to provide barista quality coffee and tea in an eco friendly and 100% compostable paper pod system. Our unique brewers create an espresso style perfectly extracted coffee with several different brands and flavor profiles. Fifty Skies also sells plant based creamers, flavored powders, whole bean coffee and supplies for customers online and in person in Southern California.

Office Manager, Graphics, Illustration & Social Media Marketing

DMZsurfboards.com

2010 – Present

I run the office side of the surfboard business from invoices and banking to bill pay and customer service needs. I do occasional graphics or custom board illustrations and help with social media on facebook and instagram.

Office Manager & SketchUp Artist

Newport Awning Company

2019 – Present

I work as a part-time employee and independent contractor for this custom fabrication shop in Santa Ana, CA. My job responsibilities include opening the shop and answering phones between 7am and 12pm Monday through Thursday. I also schedule appointments for the owner, estimator, designers and installers. I manage work flow for welding and sewing shop. I also help calculate and order materials as needed for each custom job. I create 3D digital renderings in SketchUp software and then convert those renderings into 2D shop drawings using LayOut software. I also use Photoshop and Illustrator software as needed to provide visual aids in formal proposals. I also provide miscellaneous help in the office with cleaning, organizing and reminding the owner of pending jobs. I help with customer service, restocking supplies, or running errands as needed.

Fine Artist & Creative Fabricator

JanessaBookout.com

2004 – Present

I have an extensive portfolio of original and limited edition fine art available online at JanessaBookout.com. I also do one-of-a-kind custom build projects that require the skill of a craftsman and the talent of a fine artist. I specialize in using recycled and reclaimed materials.

Gallery Manager

RockStars of Art Gallery

2018 – 2021

Retail Gallery & Website Manager for Rockstars of Art Gallery in Corona Del Mar and their sister gallery, the Michael Godard Art Gallery in Las Vegas. I managed all retail operations, customer service, vendor accounts and inventory management. I also created their websites and managed all forms of social media marketing, print advertising and event management.

Gallery Manager

McCorkell Contemporary Art

2017 – 2018

Retail Gallery & Website Manager for Tumbleweed Arts in Laguna Beach, CA. I managed all retail operations, customer service, vendor accounts and inventory management. I also managed their websites and managed all forms of social media marketing, email marketing, print advertising and event management.

Hurley Pro Tally Runner

IMG

2014 – 2014

2014 Hurley Pro and Swatch Womens Pro held at Trestles Beach. I checked the hand scored tally card to the computer printout from the judges room. I made several copies of the accurate Heat Sheet and hand delivered to many important locations from announcers to production to athletes and media areas.

Bartender

Venice Whaler

2009 – 2014

The Whaler is a 2 story ocean view beachside Bar & Grill on the end of the Venice boardwalk at the Venice Pier. With high volume tourist summers and slower winters with a loyal local base, this was a great beach job in the hub of Venice nightlife. We hosted sports events on big screens, live music, karaoke and djs on a daily basis.

contract artist

JMC Themed Environments

2008 – 2008

I primarily worked carving styrofoam sculptures for large scale 3-D themed environments. I also did some light carpentry and mural painting.

assistant to owner/fabricator

Olcott Design

2007 – 2008

I assisted owner/designer/fabricator Jason Olcott with wood and metal shop fabrication for custom built storefronts. I also helped with some design issues and daily errands.