Young local artist gets to paint giant Gromit

Photo of Hannah Bone with Rockin' Robin, the giant Gromit figure she painted for the Gromit Unleashed 2 arts trail.

A young illustrator from Bradley Stoke is set to have an example of her work become one of the most photographed objects in Bristol after being selected to decorate one of the sixty-plus sculptures on the Gromit Unleashed 2 arts trail which started on 2nd July.

Hannah Bone, 23, attended Baileys Court Primary School and then Bradley Stoke Community School before taking an Art Foundation course at Bristol School of Art. She then went on to study for a BA in Illustration at the University of Plymouth, graduating with first class honours in 2017. Since then, she has been working as a freelance illustrator specialising in children’s illustration, but also taking on commissions for pet and family portraits.

Photo of Hannah Bone painting the Rockin' Robin figure.

After submitting a design back in December 2017, following an ‘open call’ for artists, Hannah says was “extremely excited” to be told she had been chosen as an official artist. She began painting her sculpture in May, but was sworn to secrecy and only allowed to reveal her design a few days before the start of the trail.

Hannah’s Gromit is called Rockin’ Robin and it is located at Ashton Gate Stadium, home to Bristol City FC (‘The Robins’).

Asked how she came to  choose the design for her Gromit, Hannah told the Journal:

“I have always had an interest in birds. From a young age I would go bird spotting with my Dad and he passed that interest onto me. I love the variety you can see in the UK, just on an average day, looking out into the garden. Within my illustrations I always try to include birds wherever possible, even if it’s a tiny one hiding in the corner. So I thought one of Britain’s most loved and recognisable little birds would make a very striking Gromit.”

Hannah also told us that she has recently been working on a children’s book all about birds – it’s about how the misunderstood pigeon Perry uses a pigeon’s greatest skill, his fantastic sense of direction, to help guide a lost robin chick back home.

Book illustrations by Hannah Bone.

Another of Hannah’s recent projects has seen her work on illustrating a children’s book called Chef Academy, teaching children all about food, cooking and the kitchen, which is published by Ivy Kids on 2nd August 2018.

Hannah’s original Gromit designs along with some of her other work are on show at a Gromit Unleashed 2 Artists exhibition being held in the Cass Art shop on Park Street, Bristol for the duration of the trail (it ends on 2nd September).

Hannah’s website can be found at www.hannahboneillustration.co.uk; she also posts examples of her work on Instagram (@hannahboneillustration).

Photos: 1 Hannah stands proudly beside Rockin’ Robin in position at Ashton Gate Stadium on Monday 2nd July, the first official day of the Gromit Unleashed 2 arts trail. 2 Hannah at work on her Gromit. 3 Book illustrations by Hannah.

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on pages 16 & 17). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

Share this page: