ARTISTS BIOGRAPHY
Leone Tonkinson (1963-)
From an early age I have always felt a strong internal direction.
SOUTH AFRICA
As a young artist Leone boasted a competitive portfolio of portraits, still life and wild life studies.
Leone graduated from the high school of the Pretoria School of Art, Music and Ballet, with a university exemption for Graphic and Commercial art.
However, she went on to study Industrial Architecture - in the design of Shopping Malls, Schools and Sport Centers. It was not until Leone was worked in Parliament, that she saw her first opportunity to secure a commissions in portraiture.
Leaving a 13 year career in Architecture behind her, Leone went on to study a Bachelor in Fine Art, Entrepreneurship and Business development.
She later lectured Bridging Bachelor Fine Art at CAUSE Academy. On the completion of her contract Leone went on to gain experience as an Entrepreneur, purchasing and developing small business.
Seeking a more creative experience, Leone became Product Designer for Argilla - A South African manufacturer of ceramic tableware.
In 2000, Leone her family relocated to the Eastern coast - Port Elizabeth where she saw an opportunity to establish a painting school, which later grew into The Port Elizabeth School of Fine Art.
In 2004, Leone sorted accreditation from Nelson Mandela University for her curriculum and in turn attended a sabbatical study abroad.
EUROPE
2006 - Although Leone was originally sponsored to study in France, she discovered her roots in the Netherlands. so loved the Dutch people and their culture that she decided to make the Netherlands her home.
To date Leone is an active artist and teacher who presently lives and works from her studio in the quaint little town of Radio Kootwijk, situated in a Nature Reserve, in the Netherlands.
Despite her travels and busy schedule Leone still finds the time to host an exhibit with her student artists each year.
