TINA BONE, AssocSBA

Tina’s secret desire to be a professional artist came to fruition in 2005, at the age of 55 years. Her favourite subjects are natural history and botanical illustration. Between 2003–2005 and 2008–2009 Tina learned the art of Botanical Illustration and Illuminated Lettering at the University of Cambridge, and has received several awards for such works.

Tina’s childhood love of nature was re-kindled in 2004 by making a 20ft square ‘wild’ garden, in which are now found many birds, frogs, newts, toads, a grass snake and all manner of insects, including lesser stag beetles, a resident hedgehog and wood mice, and black and grey squirrels.

Whenever possible, Tina likes to paint her subjects life-size. All botanical work is drawn using live plant material. Other resources include photographs, a special fridge full of frozen ‘road kills’, as well as field trips. Tina aims to paint fine art works which capture the characteristics and nuances of both flora and fauna in natural habitats, preferring subjects which she has actually seen, or has knowledge of.

Over fifty per cent of Tina’s work since 2005 has been on commission, with subjects as diverse as five botanical plants as ID Cards in a zoo, a stationary gas engine, a 2010 Chelsea Flower Show garden and accompanying illumination, a ‘House in Provence’, and several canine portraits.

tina.bone@tinabonedtp.co.uk