ABOUT BRIDGET SYMS

From "Double Art" to the Printing Press

For Bridget Syms, art has always been more than a vocation—it was a lifeline. From her early school days, "Double Art" on Thursday afternoons served as her "life-raft" and the definitive highlight of her education. This lifelong passion for creating has evolved through several distinct chapters, leading her to the rugged coast of Cornwall where she practices her craft today.

A Foundation in Fine Detail

Before becoming a full-time artist, Bridget spent over twenty years immersed in the meticulous world of ceramics restoration. Running her own professional workshop, she specialized in the delicate repair of oriental porcelain. This period honed her eye for detail and her deep respect for traditional materials—traits that remain evident in the precision of her carving today.
By 2010, Bridget transitioned into life as a full-time oil painter. Her paintings, focusing on the natural world, were represented in various galleries through both solo and mixed exhibitions.

The Shift to Printmaking

Bridget’s path took an unexpected turn—an "infatuation" that arrived out of the blue. After discovering The Incisive Eye, a book of wood engravings by Colin See-Paynton, she felt compelled to explore a new medium.
She purchased a basic lino print kit and was instantly "totally hooked." This marked the beginning of her current chapter as a printmaker, a role that allows her to combine her love for the natural world with the tactile, unpredictable nature of the press. Today, her work is held in private collections and featured in galleries, bringing a piece of the Cornish wild into homes around the world.
SHOP NOW
ARTIST STATEMENT

The Spirit of the Wild in Relief

I work as a printmaker in the wild far west of Cornwall, a place I often describe as the "edge of the world." My work is an ongoing celebration of the movement, wonder, and teeming wildlife that share this rugged landscape with me. Living here, one cannot help but be attuned to the natural rhythm of the land and sea—from the raucous family of jackdaws claiming my roof to the rare, breathtaking spectacle of a breaching humpback whale in the Atlantic.

The Traditional Process

My creative process is an intentional return to the tactile and the traditional. Every piece follows a dedicated journey:

Sketching:

Each image begins as a hand-drawn sketch before it ever meets the lino.

Carving:

Designs are transferred to lino blocks and hand-carved using traditional tools.

Pressing:

Using oil-based inks and my hand-operated Gunning press, I produce final editions that retain the unique character of the process.
I am captivated by the unpredictability of the medium—the way the tools, the wood-like resistance of the lino, and the pressure of the press all collaborate to create something unique. Ultimately, my goal is to translate the joy and excitement I feel when encountering the natural world into a visual form. Through my prints, I hope to honor the magical creatures of my neighborhood and share a piece of this wild, coastal life with others.
For me, every day in the studio is "double art"—a lifelong passion finally realized.