Errr whaaat!  Yes I can’t quite believe it either, but I WON HEAT 5 of Portrait Artist of the Year with my painting of the absolutely beautiful Vanessa Kingori.  I am still pinching myself from the whole experience – it’s been like stepping into your television and being part of something you know so well.  And to meet the judges!  And lovely Joan!  And lovely Stephen!! Honestly what a day.  Vanessa was the most perfect sitter – an inspirational, gracious, stylish fabulous woman – who also chose my painting to take home (to be honest, that felt like winning enough!), and my fellow artists of this heat were the nicest group of people, despite the nerves we all had a right giggle.  What an adventure this is, and now onto the semi-finals!  

Possibly the biggest smile I’ve every done after Stephen let me take his cue card home!  On to the semis!! x