Since starting out as a graffiti artist, Tanya Thompson - better known as Misery - has put her unique stamp on everything from fashion to bath products. A guest speaker at design conference Semi-Permanent 07, the Auckland-based artist has built a small empire on the back of her unique, "nasty with some fruit salad" style. Her success is an inspiration - the perfect example of how art and business can be friends - and her ambition limitless: "Anything is possible: furniture, boutique hotels... who knows."Since starting out as a graffiti artist, Tanya Thompson - better known as Misery - has put her unique stamp on everything from fashion to bath products. A guest speaker at design conference Semi-Permanent 07, the Auckland-based artist has built a small empire on the back of her unique, "nasty with some fruit salad" style. Her success is an inspiration - the perfect example of how art and business can be friends - and her ambition limitless: "Anything is possible: furniture, boutique hotels... who knows."During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Before I go to sleep and first thing in the morning. I think my brain is generally bubbling away with ideas. While I'm in dreamland, then when I wake up I'm psyched and inspired to start my day!

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Innocent, enchanting, cute, distinctive, soft, mischievous, nasty with some fruit salad, dainty and pretty with murderous sharp things and explosive colours, demure, unique, unpredictable yet wild.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
The execution of something I've worked really hard towards and seeing it all come together exactly as I'd imagined. If other people are excited or humoured and taken by a little world of madness I've created, then that makes my job really worth doing. Also working on projects with friends that aren't primarily about money or getting down to business. It's fun and refreshing and inspiring to be making art purely for enjoyment.

In your experience, what attributes does a person starting their own business need?
To be ambitious, enthusiastic, have a point of difference, self-confident, a good work ethic, balance and people skills, encouragement, to love and be 110% excited about their line of work, to aspire to grow, welcome challenges and be willing to take some risks, honesty and fairness.

Although you started out in visual arts, you've moved into other areas such as fashion and toys. What do you consider the unifying concept behind them all?
I 'm a visual artist - I don't consider myself a toy or fashion designer. I am very lucky that the style of imagery I make lends itself very well to fashion, toys, animation, many things. I think all in all, I get easily excited about all the wonderful things to make and apply my art and characters to. I love ideas and opportunities and envisioning where and how big things could grow or become. Anything is possible: furniture, boutique hotels, Misery lands... who knows.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced running your own business?
Being someone from a completely creative background and starting a very small company to growing quickly and having to catch up and learn the 'ins and outs' of running a business has been quite challenging. It's a difficult thing to balance being a creative head with a business mind. In the last year particularly I have really been brought up to speed with how vital it is to protect your trademark and intellectual property and now have agreements in place for everything I do. It's easy to be taken advantage of and lose control of what's yours.

It's a struggle when you're a little business growing fast. Also, it's incredibly difficult to keep on top of it all and still maintain running the day-to-day costs of a business.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
The bath product line I just put out with USA-based company Blue Q. Our "Cute as Hell" range was a lot of fun to come up with and I got to work with an incredibly talented bunch. That was a very wonderful experience - the products look beautiful and at a very international standard. They are sold and distributed in heaps of countries throughout the world.

The Magical World of Misery doco made by Sticky Pictures, which won best arts documentary of 2006, is something I'm very proud of. More than just the making of an especially cool documentary, I was able to work with some really cool people that have become close friends. We are now working on a exciting new animation project together... Also, having art shows always brings me satisfaction!

What's your number one business tip?
Pay the tax man, have good communication skills, have a really good accountant, enjoy your work.

Describe how the way you played as a child has influenced how you work as an adult.
I guess as a kid I was a loyal friend, kind and never liked upsetting anyone, shy, a bit of a tomboy. I liked playing war and climbing trees and getting up to mischief but still a girlie girl at heart, loving to dress up and sing and dance and make plays. I was also very content hanging out and occupying myself, daydreaming and painting and drawing. I was never one to follow the rest of the crowd and was always comfortable with the idea of being individual and different from the rest. Most of those things still stand.

How do you think your environment affects your work?
It's very important to me to be working surrounded by things I love. I need space and sunlight. I'm good at making a mess and I like my studio to be a clutter of books and paper and paints and toys and colour. When I was little I used to have lots of fun playing in my mum's studio and sewing room - there were always drawers and boxes of paint, glitter and sequins and fabric everywhere - so in a way I think it stems from that. There's always lots of cool stuff to play with in my studio - I enjoy working in that kind of environment.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I am definitely a big picture girl. That might be to do with having a slightly short attention span and that I want to work on something great then get on with the next adventure. So much to do and so little time...

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Monsters, old cigarette/match box graphics, masks, Chinese dragons, shapes, bold and fluorescent colours, Mexican wrestlers, 'Grinderman', my niece "Asia Poppy", "Rupert Bunny Fru Fru" my mum's pug dog, Lulu my French bull dog, my book of 4000 animal motifs, fire and smoke clouds, sharp gnashing teeth.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I'd be a chef.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
My home I guess, Muriwai Beach - wherever my family are.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
I like listening to music on my iPod when I'm going for a walk, it's best when you're not in your own environment. In a foreign city or something is great. I like how music can remind you of a certain place or time or feeling you've had. It's cool walking down a seedy side alley in Hong Kong listening to Peaches or Black Sabbath or '80s movies hits. It feels like you're in a warped little wonderland - it's great.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A puppet on a string. Or is this a survival question? Then perhaps a fishing line if I'm near water.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Blackmores Executive B, arnica anti flam, kick boxing, yoga, good bottle of red wine and the Palm Springs hot pools.

What's your favourite word?
'Darl'.

What's great about today?
It's a beautiful day with a clear blue sky, it's freezing and I have a heater and thermals on to make me warm. I just ate the best Thai food for lunch, I'm finishing a painting that makes me happy. My family are arriving from Tahiti. I'm going to see my friend's film at the festival.

Interview by Cass Hesom-Williams

24/7/07

Semi-Permanent: 11 August 2007, Auckland. Find out more.