4TinyHands

Bridget Wilkinson: “Work hard and you will achieve”

Are you a sea-loving artist at heart searching for a spark of inspiration? If so, you might wish to look more closely at Bridget Wilkinson’s sea-inspired amazing artwork. The breathtaking scenery of her hometown of Whitby – an old and magnificent town in the UK, encircled by the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and the sea – allows Bridget to explore the marvels of her vivid imagination.

Bridget’s Artistic Journey and Influences in Her Art
The Creative Process and Use of Color
One Should Be Bold When Faced With Challenges

Bridget’s Artistic Journey and Influences in Her Art

Vibrant painting by sea-inspired artist Bridget Wilkinson, created in a unique style that makes one think of naive art. The painting shows a compact harbor houses, each painted in a different color. Above is the clear sky and a warm sun. In the foreground is the water, full of fish. The water seems alive, moving in waves.

Vibrant colors and bold, imaginative designs are hallmarks of Bridget’s artwork. She paints gorgeous harbor sceneries that highlight the natural beauty of the sea and the surrounding landscape. “A lot of my work comes from my imagination of what I think is happening below the waves, but I am also inspired by the close compact harbour houses in my hometown,” she explains.

Bridget’s artistic journey as a painter and mixed media artist began with her lifelong fascination with the sea and the treasures it washes up on the beach, such as interesting pieces of wood, stones, or other materials.

Painting by sea-inspired artist Bridget Wilkinson, showing, in a naive, colorful style, a hill close to the water. On the hill are five houses, and three of them seem to fall into the sea. On the water is a fishing boat. The waves are full of fish. Each individual wave has very small, abstract, and organic details painted on it. In the foreground, down, are some big shells. In the background, seabirds are flying.

Although at first, she only collected beach finds, she gradually began using them as a starting point for her artistic process, creating three-dimensional works of art that evoke the pristine beauty of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and the charm of her town.

“I’ve lived by the sea all my life and every time I was on the beach I would collect interesting pieces of wood and anything else that was washed up. I accumulated quite a pile and that’s when I began to make things from my finds such as mirrors, frames, etc.,” she recalls.

Bridget’s love for painting and her ability to see the potential in these natural elements resulted in works of art that are not only beautiful but also eco-friendly.

Photograph of an eco-friendly 3D piece of art by sea-inspired artist Bridget Wilkinson. The artwork is made out of wooden elements, which are painted in pastel colors. The artwork represents a dock with five houses. A fishing ship is approaching the dock. Behind the houses, the background is painted as a nighttime, starry sky, with a full moon.

“When I collect the pieces for my 3D work, I look at the wood and can imagine what it’s going to be from its shape. (…) I’ve always painted and my style evolved over time. I then married up the two mediums and started to make the little harbour scenes which are inspired by my hometown of Whitby”, she shares.

The Creative Process and Use of Color

Bridget confesses that she doesn’t use a sketchbook so often. Her artistic process is more about intuition and emotion. She prefers to throw ideas around in her head and let her feelings and imagination guide her as she creates one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Painting by sea-inspired artist Briget Wilkinson, showing an octopus, a school of fish, and aquatic plants, deep in the ocean.

“I’m not an artist that uses a sketchbook very often. I tend to throw my ideas around in my head. I’m a deep thinker. I then sketch a basic on canvas, and lay down base coat colours. From here on in it’s all very intuitive and comes from my emotions. I can’t see a finished piece before I start, it just develops as I paint,“ Bridget says.

Bridget’s use of color is one of her artwork’s most impressive aspects. She often blends her favorite hues – turquoise, purple, and midnight blue – in her works of art, creating paintings that are full of life and movement, and inspiring us to unleash our wildest imagination and creative abilities. When asked about what she hopes her art would trigger in young viewers, Bridget simply replied, “JOY!”

Painting by sea-inspired artist Bridget Wilkinson, showing a lighthouse, the full moon on the clear, starry night sky, and the sea, with its waves full of life: fish of different species, an octopus, aquatic plants, and shells.

Bridget’s vibrant artwork has not gone unnoticed, as her art is often featured in magazines and newspapers. People have been touched by her colorful images and inspired to dive deeper into their own imaginations and create other beautiful forms of art. Nonetheless, despite her recognition, Bridget remains humble and focused on her passion for creating art.

“My work is often featured in school curriculums. I’ve also been featured in magazines and newspapers and people have been inspired to make cakes, rugs, cross stitches, murals, and needlepoint from my images. I’ve even designed an ammonite tattoo for a couple of ladies. (…) I’m working now towards a group exhibition in one of the galleries I supply. In the latter half of the year I’m hoping I have time to experiment with different techniques and do some large landscapes of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park,“ she says.

One Should Be Bold When Faced With Challenges

Painting by sea-inspired artist Bridget Wilkinson, showing a sea-inspired scenery: compact harbor houses, a couple and their dog walking on the beach, the dock, and the sea.

One of the challenges Bridget faces is finding the right balance between creating art she loves and creating work that sells. “It is hard to get that balance, often I want to develop and move forward and try new things but am held back as the demand for the work I’m doing now is high. It’s a battle I’m fighting at the moment.“, she confesses.

Bridget thinks that one should be bold, as “it is often when things aren’t going as planned that you learn new things” and she advises those struggling to find their own artistic voice to “keep creating and experimenting.” “Work hard and you will achieve!“, she says.

Photograph of varied paintings by sea-inspired artist Bridget Wilkinson.

Bridget’s artistic path shows us that art has the power to transform the mundane into the extraordinary and that creativity can be found in unexpected places if we are able to see the world around us in a new light. Draw inspiration from everything around you, be eco-friendly in your approach, and most importantly, be bold and true to your unique voice. Who knows where it will take you?

So, if you’re an aspiring artist, take a cue from Bridget Wilkinson, let your imagination run wild, and don’t be afraid to follow your heart, whether it be through painting, sculpture, or any other form of artistic expression. When difficulties arise, don’t give up, but trust your intuition, and believe in your creative abilities. Remember that finding your unique artistic voice is an adventure in and of itself!

Photograph showing Briget Wilkinson working on one of her paintings in her studio in the UK.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a sketchbook, or perhaps some paint and a canvas, and head to your favorite spots. As you allow yourself to be inspired by the natural beauty surrounding you, let your imagination guide the artistic process. Create something beautiful that brings joy to you and others, and keep in mind Bridget’s words: “Do what you love, and your work will shine!”

For a closer look at Bridget’s vibrant artwork, head over to her website, Facebook page, or Instagram account.

Tell us in the comments how did you like Bridget Wilkinson’s art and, if you are looking for fresh inspiration and creative ideas, join our vibrant community to discover a world of endless possibilities! Check out our Facebook page!

Support 4TinyHands’ mission