It was clear from his schooldays in Suffolk that Terance James Bond was destined for a career in wildlife art. He grew up on a farm during the 1950s, learning to love the fields, trees and birds surrounding him. An early talent with pencil and paintbrush was nurtured by his teachers, and TJB was already selling pictures at the age of 13. Successful exhibitions in Ipswich during the early 1970s persuaded him to abandon engineering and turn professional, and Terry has now been painting for a living for almost 40 years.
A Bond with Birds was launched in September 2011 to coincide with Terry's 65th birthday and a major exhibition. The signed limited edition has sold out, but the publisher has a small number of artist proof copies for sale. A Bond with Birds lifts the veil on Terry's early years, charts his progress from an Ipswich drawing office, and showcases a number of the most impressive paintings completed in the five years since his previous book and one-man show in 2006.
In addition, A Bond with Birds contains some 35 new pictures produced for the 65th birthday exhibition, in Lavenham, Suffolk, in which he combines large and complex works (Goshawk, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl and Little Owl) with charming smaller studies of Warblers, Titmice and other garden favourites.