Bridget Arnold
Inspired by nature - Bridget is a cyanotype artist. This is a form of primitive photography first pioneered in 1840 by botanist Anna Atkins to record seaweeds and ferns.
With this process each piece is an original distinct one-off print. Created in two stages, the first involves coating paper or fabric using two cyanotype chemicals mixed to create a photosensitive surface. Objects are then put on top and it is placed in sunlight for an imprint or shadow to take place. Harnessing the light
Living on the edge of Dartmoor in Bovey Tracey, Bridget finds natural objects on her walks near her house on the Granite Tramway, flowers, ferns, lichens and feathers which are all used to capture their details.
Bridget is also inspired by visiting the seashore where she is often found collecting seaweed.
Recently Bridget has been experimenting and developing new work doing wet cyanotype. This is a longer process leaving prints in the sunshine for 5/6 hours. This gives wonderful textures and colours for her newest wet cyanotype prints. These are then digitally made into cards.
Her original cyanotype pieces range from hand printed cards, prints, handmade books, lanterns, and lampshades. Hand made cyanotype lamp shades can be commissioned from Bridget, price depending on size, colour and sun printed design. Alternatively go to do a cyanotype workshop with her in her studio in Bovey Tracey.