Tina Novelli, Big Thicket Swamp, 2020, watercolor, Image courtesy of the Artist

The Art Museum of Southeast Texas is excited to present this fall an exhibition of watercolors by artist Tina Novelli. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Tina Griesenbeck Novelli’s earliest memories centered around drawing her pets. With her dad owning a kennel, raising Saint Bernards, and holding animals for Ringling Brothers, she had ample subjects to practice on. At six, she was working with pencil, charcoal, and pastels. From there, Tina progressed to pen and ink where she loved the tiny strokes and details achievable with a fine point nib. Her eighth grade graduation present was a set of rapidograph pens which she still uses today.

While in high school Tina explored a host of different subjects using pen and ink as her medium:  architectural renderings, logo designs for local business, fashion illustrations printed in the local San Antonio papers, and designing party invitations for stationary firms. She also developed a fascination with science and math. The works of Frank Netter influenced Tina to begin working with several scientists that needed medical illustrations to enhance their scientific papers.

Tina graduated from Trinity University with degrees in Art, Biology, and Chemistry. While art was definitely her passion, she found that science sparked her creativity while adding balance and depth to her works. Bill Bristow and Carolyn Shelton were two major influences as her interest in watercolor piqued.

She received a masters degree in molecular genetics from The University of Texas at San Antonio, then continued her graduate work at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Biochemistry Department. While researching mitochondrial DNA, she continued her artistic career, further expanding her medical illustration work. Tina always managed to pursue both science and art wherever she was. While working on monoclonal antibody research for Pacific Hemostasis in California she redesigned the company logo and produced all of their medical advertising.

Today she primarily works in watercolor and pen and ink, continuing her emphasis on realism.